Ten Questions and Ten Answers on the Latest Hotspots of the Current Epidemic

Xinhua Viewpoint｜Ten Questions and Ten Answers on the Latest Hotspots of the Current Epidemic

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 9

　　Xinhua News Agency "Xinhua Viewpoint" reporters Zhang Quan and Wen Jinghua

　　Will the XBB series mutant strains cause a large-scale epidemic?

How to protect medical resources in rural areas?

Is it necessary to stock up on antiviral drugs and globulin?

... In response to many hot issues of the current public concern about the epidemic, a reporter from "Xinhua Viewpoint" interviewed experts from the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism to answer them.

One question: Will the mutant strains of the XBB series cause a large-scale epidemic?

　　Xu Wenbo, director of the Institute of Viral Diseases of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that in the past three months, my country has monitored the introduction of BF.7, BQ.1, and XBB, but BQ.1 and XBB have not yet formed a dominant transmission in my country.

　　According to information released by the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the absolute dominant strains of the novel coronavirus currently prevalent in my country are BA.5.2 and BF.7. Higher levels are expected to have better cross-protection against other Omicron variant strain clades (including XBB).

In my country, the possibility of a large-scale epidemic caused by XBB series mutant strains in the short term is low.

　　In view of the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea caused by the XBB strain spread on the Internet, Li Tong, chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, once said that some people infected with the new coronavirus do have symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, usually 1 to 3 It can be relieved by itself in a few days, and no XBB strain is found to be more likely to invade the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems and the digestive system.

　　Experts suggest that in terms of protection, just like preventing other Omicron subtype virus infections, individuals should still be the first person responsible for their own health, adhere to regular work and rest, often open windows for ventilation, ensure a healthy diet, and improve the body's immunity , Do a good job of self-health monitoring, and stock up on common family medicines in an appropriate amount.

Second question: Is it still necessary to be vaccinated against the new crown after infection?

　　Wang Huaqing, chief expert of the immunization program of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that at present, the immune protection produced by simple infection is not as strong as the mixed immunity produced by infection and vaccination. Therefore, if vaccination is needed later, it is recommended to vaccinate vaccine.

　　According to the current technical guidelines for vaccination of the new coronavirus, if infected with the new coronavirus, the time of infection and the time of vaccination for the new coronavirus should be separated by more than 6 months.

　　Wang Huaqing said that studies have shown that booster injections can arouse the body's immune memory cells, increase antibody levels, and further consolidate the preventive effect on severe illness and death.

Therefore, people who have not completed the booster immunization, as long as they meet the vaccination requirements, should complete the booster immunization as soon as possible in accordance with the immunization procedures to achieve a better protective effect.

Three questions: How to use ibuprofen and other drugs scientifically?

　　Some people were injured due to improper medication during the treatment of new coronavirus infection.

Safe and scientific drug use is related to people's life safety and health.

　　According to Zhang Bo, Director of the Pharmacy Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are commonly used for symptomatic treatment.

Generally speaking, it takes 1 to 2 days for the patient to reduce the fever, and after the patient's physical pain is under control, the drug can be stopped, and there is no need to take it for a long time.

　　Generally speaking, it is enough to choose an antipyretic and analgesic drug.

Many antipyretic and analgesic drugs contain the same or similar ingredients. If you choose multiple antipyretic and analgesic drugs in combination, it may lead to drug overdose.

Patients must read the instructions carefully before use.

　　According to Zhang Bo, antibiotics generally refer to antibacterial drugs, which are drugs that only target infections caused by bacteria, and are ineffective for treating infections caused by viruses.

In clinical practice, some patients are combined with some bacterial infections, or secondary bacterial infections are caused by the new coronavirus infection; in this case, antibiotics can be reasonably selected, but strict evaluation such as blood routine examination is required.

Four questions: Is it necessary to stockpile antiviral drugs and globulin?

　　Recently, some antiviral drugs used to treat new coronavirus infections have been dubbed "special drugs", which has attracted the attention and panic buying of many netizens.

　　Tong Zhaohui, deputy director of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, said that there is currently no specific drug against the new coronavirus.

Some antiviral drugs can inhibit and interfere with the replication of the new coronavirus, but there are many precautions when using them. They must be used in a standardized manner under the guidance of a doctor. It is not recommended for the public to stock up on drugs and use them at home.

　　Tong Zhaohui introduced that for severe and critical high-risk groups, such as elderly people with underlying diseases, these antiviral drugs can effectively reduce the rate of severe illness, but it is ineffective for young adults and other people without high-risk factors.

Moreover, these drugs need to be used early in the course of the disease, and the effect is better when used within 5 days of onset, especially within 48 hours.

　　In response to another drug, intravenous gamma globulin, which was requested by netizens, Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Peking University First Hospital, introduced that intravenous gamma globulin can reduce inflammation, but it is only recommended to be used in the treatment of critically ill patients. It is only effective when used under certain circumstances such as inflammatory factor storms. It is not suitable for use at home, and it has no effect on preventing new crown infection. It is also not recommended to store it at home.

Five questions: How to monitor blood oxygen scientifically?

　　Wang Guiqiang said that high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with underlying diseases should pay special attention to blood oxygen indicators. It is recommended that families with such groups be equipped with finger-clip pulse oximeters. If the monitoring value is lower than 93%, they should seek medical attention in time.

In the home environment, if the blood oxygen saturation is reduced, oxygen can be inhaled at home if possible, to avoid the aggravation of a series of underlying diseases induced by hypoxia.

　　Xu Kaifeng, deputy director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, reminded that patients with respiratory diseases should pay special attention to whether the blood oxygen saturation has dropped significantly; especially when it drops below 90%, severe lung damage may have occurred , be sure to see a doctor in time.

　　At present, many places are organizing the distribution of finger-clip pulse oximeters for high-risk groups such as the elderly to guide self-test blood oxygen saturation at home.

　　Aiming at relatively expensive oxygen therapy equipment such as oxygen concentrators, the Comprehensive Group of the Joint Defense and Joint Control Mechanism of the State Council issued the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in Dynamic Services for Key Populations of the New Crown and "Moving the Gateway" Work" on January 3, requiring all localities to provide assistance to the grassroots Medical and health institutions and elderly care institutions are equipped with an appropriate number of oxygen bags, oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators and other equipment to ensure that they can provide oxygen therapy or oxygen filling services for outpatients, home treatment patients, and elderly people in elderly care institutions in a timely manner.

Question 6: Why do some infected people "recover Yang" after recovery?

　　"Fuyang" means that the infected person has two positive results in the same infection cycle, which is different from the second infection.

　　Wang Guiqiang introduced that "Fuyang" should be called re-detection. In fact, the viral nucleic acid still exists, but because of the detection method, sampling method and the intermittent nature of detoxification, it leads to the situation of "time yang and sometimes yin". Nucleic acid detection was used as the standard.

　　Wang Guiqiang said that from the perspective of infectivity, a large number of previous studies have not isolated the virus from the "Fuyang" patients, nor have they found that it leads to further spread of the virus.

From the perspective of harm, the "Fuyang" population basically has no symptoms, but the nucleic acid is positive, and some patients will have residual symptoms such as coughing.

Question 7: How to relieve chronic cough after turning overcast?

　　"Recently, most of the infected people have symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection such as fever, sore throat, and cough. Many people will still have a long-lasting cough after turning negative. We generally believe that a cough that lasts for more than three weeks is a subacute cough. Among them , The most common is coughing after infection.” said Lin Jiangtao, deputy director of the Respiratory Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

　　Lin Jiangtao introduced that the cause of post-infection cough is the damage of the bronchial mucosa or the exposure of sensory nerves caused by upper respiratory tract infection, which increases the sensitivity to various external stimuli.

Therefore, physical and chemical stimuli such as temperature drop, smoking smoke, and kitchen fume may cause severe coughing.

　　"Increased cough sensitivity after turning negative is not an infection. At this time, neither antiviral nor antibacterial drug treatment is needed, and it can recover on its own." Lin Jiangtao said that patients with cough after infection should avoid various irritations to the respiratory tract sex factor.

If the symptoms are severe and affect work, study and rest, you can go to the hospital for treatment. Doctors usually treat the symptoms with cough medicines, and some Chinese patent medicines are also very effective.

Question 8: What are the precautions during the recovery period?

　　Liu Qingquan, director of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, said that people infected with the new crown virus are entering the recovery period or the end of recovery. They should maintain a peaceful mind and eat light and easy-to-digest foods. At the same time, pay attention to rest and ensure adequate sleep.

　　Zhou Yujie, executive vice president of Beijing Anzhen Hospital, said that it is better to spend the recovery period and not to exercise suddenly.

Aerobic exercise can lead to increased heart rate and increased oxygen consumption, and excessive anaerobic exercise can also cause lactic acid accumulation.

At the same time, it is also necessary to "combine movement and stillness", and not lie still at all to prevent thrombosis and other embolism diseases.

The exercise standard can be reduced to less than 1/3 of the original body energy.

　　At the same time, avoid staying up late, quit smoking and drinking, and manage your lifestyle well.

Nine Questions: How to guarantee medical resources in rural areas?

　　The issue of drug use and medical security for the masses in rural areas has affected people's hearts.

　　The Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and the Central Rural Work Leading Group recently issued the "Strengthening the Current Work Plan for the Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Infection in Rural Areas", requiring all localities to focus on the operation of the epidemic prevention system in rural areas, drug supply, severe treatment, and protection of the elderly and children. In terms of work, we will strengthen daily health services, highlight the management of key populations, orderly guide the needs of diagnosis and treatment, provide graded and classified medical and health services, and protect the lives and health of rural residents to the greatest extent.

　　Nie Chunlei, Director of the Primary Health Department of the National Health Commission, introduced that the Material Security Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council has established a daily dispatch system, insisting on a national game of chess, and coordinating the dispatch of medicines and other key medical supplies every day.

According to the development of the epidemic, at this stage, priority is given to guaranteeing medication in rural areas, especially in rural medical and health institutions.

　　"Relevant departments have formulated many policies to support relevant enterprises to expand production capacity and work overtime to produce related drugs. At the same time, strengthen the connection between supply and demand, encourage local governments to centralize procurement, and speed up drug distribution; adhere to the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, give full play to the characteristics of rural areas, and make full use of traditional Chinese medicine. Alleviate the pressure of grassroots medical treatment." Nie Chunlei said.

Ten questions: Will the peak flow of people during the Spring Festival lead to a large-scale spread of the epidemic?

　　"Currently, the spread of the epidemic in 'small places' is not as rapid as in big cities, but the spread lasts for a relatively long time. With the return of people during the Spring Festival, it may cause a wave of imported peaks in the local area." National Center for Infectious Disease Medicine Zhang Wenhong, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, said.

　　Mao Dezhi, deputy director of the Rural Cooperative Economic Guidance Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that returnees must take good personal protection on the way. Wash your hands frequently, gather as little as possible, and eat less.

Pay attention to your health status at any time. When you have symptoms of infection, you should go to the village clinic or township health center for medical treatment or consultation in time. If the symptoms are severe or you have a high fever, don’t take it hard, and you must seek medical treatment in time.

　　"On the basis of personal protection, the majority of elders, villagers and farmers should actively participate in the epidemic prevention work in the village and try their best to build a strong epidemic prevention network at the grassroots level. If there is a need, if there are surplus medicines Or medical supplies, which can provide timely help to neighbors and villagers," Mao Dezhi said.

(Xinhuanet)