Vaccination is not the only method, personal protection is essential
How to prevent and control influenza in autumn and winter (service window)
Our reporter Bai Jianfeng Shen Shaotie
"People's Daily" (13th edition on November 04, 2020)
The flu epidemic has a certain seasonality.
Influenza surveillance in my country has shown that winter and spring are the influenza epidemic seasons each year, and lower temperatures are conducive to the survival of influenza viruses. In addition, lower temperatures in winter and spring lead to prolonged indoor activities for people and poor air circulation, making the virus easier to spread.
How to prevent and control influenza in autumn and winter?
The reporter interviewed some experts.
Li Zhongjie, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the common cold, commonly known as "cold" or "shang flu", is caused by infection with multiple pathogens (various viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia, etc.), mostly due to showers, colds, and weather. Mutations, overwork and other reasons lead to a decrease in the local defense function of the respiratory tract.
Mainly manifested as nasal symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and can also be manifested as coughing, dry throat, itching or burning sensation.
If there is no complication, it usually recovers in 5-7 days.
The common cold can occur in any season.
Because of its many pathogens, the immunity is not lasting after infection, and a person can repeatedly catch the common cold in a short period of time.
Influenza is abbreviated as influenza, which mainly refers to a viral acute respiratory infection in the population caused by influenza virus.
Influenza is highly contagious and causes seasonal epidemics every year.
People can develop long-lasting immunity after getting flu, and a person will not get flu repeatedly in a short period of time.
How to prevent respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza?
Li Zhongjie said that influenza is a vaccine preventable disease, and annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza.
However, influenza vaccination is not the only method. “Social vaccines” such as adhering to a healthy lifestyle, developing good hygiene habits, and doing personal daily protection are also vital to the prevention and control of influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases.
Personal protective measures mainly include: washing hands frequently; avoiding crowd gathering places as much as possible during flu season; after flu symptoms, coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissues, towels, etc., and then wash your hands; try to avoid touching eyes, Nose or mouth.
When family members have flu patients, try to avoid close contact, especially when there are elderly and chronic patients in the home.
When parents of children with flu symptoms go to the hospital, they should also protect the children and themselves (such as wearing a mask) to avoid cross-infection.
When influenza-like cases occur in schools, nurseries and other collective units, the patients should stay at home to reduce the spread of the disease.
As influenza viruses continue to mutate, people are generally susceptible.
Influenza virus spreads rapidly and can easily cause epidemics in places where people gather in nursing homes, schools, and childcare institutions.
After the general patient has the flu, it is recommended to rest at home and keep the room ventilated.
Rest, drink plenty of water, wear a mask, and avoid going to crowded places.
If you have symptoms such as persistent high fever, severe cough, or difficulty breathing, you should go to the hospital in time.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases and other people are more likely to become severely ill after being infected with influenza. Antiviral drugs should be used as soon as possible under the guidance of a doctor.
Liu Qingquan, president of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that the key to preventing influenza in traditional Chinese medicine is to nourish righteous qi.
The key to cultivating righteous qi is to "adapt to the four seasons and adapt to the cold and heat." According to different groups of people, the method of giving medicine and food from the same source can improve righteousness.
Influenza is a disease with "fever" as its main clinical manifestation.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a complete chain of evidence for the treatment of influenza with rich treatment methods, including decoctions and proprietary Chinese medicines, as well as acupuncture and other methods.
In the influenza diagnosis and treatment plan issued by the National Health Commission, Chinese medicine has rich connotations and clear clinical research evidence, which is the characteristic and advantage of China in the treatment of influenza.