Recently, the CDC of many places issued a reminder that influenza activities will gradually enter an active period, and personal protection should be done well; Eliminate bringing illness to class; Children and primary and secondary school students should minimize their participation in after-school tutoring classes or go to training institutions in the near future to avoid cross-infection; In addition, access to crowded, space-enclosed places should be reduced; If you have flu-like symptoms, please choose the nearest medical institution according to your condition and wear a mask for treatment.
China Economic Network Infographic Fu Yunpeng /Photo
Influenza, referred to as influenza, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses, which seriously endangers human health. Influenza viruses are antigenically variable and spread rapidly, causing seasonal epidemics every year. Influenza viruses are widely spread around the world, and people are generally susceptible to influenza viruses, and influenza prevention and control is a worldwide problem. In temperate regions, influenza occurs mainly in winter and spring; In the tropics, the seasonality of influenza is not obvious, and it can occur throughout the year. Influenza virus is divided into A, B, C, D (A, B, C, D) four types, the current infection of people is mainly the influenza A virus in the H1N1, H3N2 subtype and B influenza virus, the same person can be infected with different subtypes of influenza virus for many times.
Influenza is not a common cold, but its symptoms and signs are easily confused with the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections, so the diagnosis of influenza depends on laboratory diagnosis. Influenza is mainly transmitted through air droplets from sneezing and coughing, and is infected directly or indirectly through mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes. Exposure to items contaminated with the virus can also cause infection.
Typical symptoms of influenza are fever, cough (usually dry cough), headache, sore throat, muscle and joint pain. Most people present with mild symptoms and usually resolve themselves within a week. However, influenza can also cause severe illness and even death in some people, especially high-risk groups.
Patients with influenza symptoms should seek medical treatment in time, make a clear diagnosis, and take the medicine on time in accordance with the doctor's instructions, and early antiviral therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms and shorten the course of the disease. Patients should try to live in a single room, rest adequately, drink more water, eat a diet that is easy to digest and nutritious, and closely observe changes in the condition, especially in the elderly and children. When the patient's condition worsens, or if the pre-existing underlying disease worsens, they should seek immediate medical attention.
People with influenza should try to avoid going in and out of public places, and wear a mask if they really need to go out. Do not bring illness to work and school, and resume work and classes only after the patient's body temperature returns to normal and other flu-like symptoms disappear for 48 hours.
Family members living with the patient should attach great importance to self-protection. Family members, especially those at high risk of influenza, should avoid close contact with influenza patients as much as possible, and all family members should pay attention to personal hygiene when in close contact with patients. Hands should be washed as soon as possible after direct contact with or treatment of items and respiratory secretions used by the patient. Closely observe the health status of family members, and once other family members also have the same clinical symptoms, they should seek medical attention in time.
4 myths about the existence of influenza
Myth 1: After vaccination, you can rest easy
Influenza vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent influenza. But the flu vaccine only produces antibodies to the flu virus, and has no preventive and anti-resistance effect on colds caused by bacteria, other viruses, or mycoplasma. Because influenza viruses are susceptible to mutation, each year's vaccine is developed based on the prevalent strain of that year. In addition, the surveillance data shows that the influenza virus antibody can only last for about a year, so the flu vaccine is required every year.
Myth 2: The flu is the common cold
Colds are divided into the common cold and influenza (i.e. influenza). The common cold is mainly caused by bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasma, and generally has no fever and systemic symptoms, or only low-grade fever, and the symptoms are relatively mild. Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Systemic symptoms are severe, high fever, headache, fatigue, general aches are obvious, infants, the elderly and patients with cardiopulmonary underlying diseases are prone to complications such as pneumonia and lead to death.
Myth three: vinegar fumigation room anti-flu
Many people think that acetic acid can play a role in disinfection, so fumigating the room with vinegar is also a way to prevent influenza. But in fact, vinegar must be at a certain concentration to achieve the role of disinfection, but smoking vinegar in the room for a long time will not only cause breathing difficulties, but also cause respiratory damage.
Myth four: drink banlan root to prevent influenza
Banlan root does have antiviral effects, but it is also a medicine, and there are also side effects. In addition, banlan root does not prevent influenza, and people with spleen and stomach deficiency should not take it. Overdose can also cause adverse reactions to digestive and hematopoietic function.
How to effectively prevent influenza
1. These groups are best vaccinated
Drawing on the WHO's position and the application experience of other countries for many years, combined with China's national conditions, the "Technical Guidelines for the Application of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in China (2014-2015)" recommends pregnant women, children aged 6 months to 5 years, the elderly aged 60 years and above, patients with chronic diseases, medical staff and family members and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age as priority vaccination targets.
2. Eat more foods rich in vitamins A and C
Va deficiency in children in autumn and winter is a major trigger for susceptibility to respiratory infections, and vitamin C also indirectly promotes antibody synthesis and enhances immunity. Carrots, amaranth, spinach, pumpkin, reddish-yellow fruits, animal livers, milk, etc. are all foods rich in vitamin A.
3. Get enough sleep
Pay attention to maintaining normal life rules, avoid excessive tension, staying up late, smoking, etc. to weaken the body's resistance, and add warm clothing in time. Keep indoor air fresh and reduce bacterial growth. Open more windows to keep air circulating. Dry clothes and quilts, wash daily necessities often, and disinfect frequently.
4. Pay attention to personal hygiene
Wash your hands correctly, wash your hands frequently, and cover your mouth and nose with tissues or handkerchiefs when coughing and sneezing to avoid droplet transmission. If you have a flu patient at home or at work, once you come into contact with their public goods, wash your hands immediately before proceeding to other things.
5. Strengthen exercise
Preventing the flu can also actively participate in exercise, improve resistance and immune function. Especially in winter and spring, you can run and climb mountains in the morning. Less frequented public places. Masks can be worn to reduce the likelihood of transmission. Do not share a towel, handkerchief or food utensils with each other.
6. Sugar control and snack control
Children's immunity is fragile and is easily damaged by various additives, preservatives and sugars in food. Therefore, parents should give their children less snacks containing preservatives and additives to control their sugar intake.