At the turn of the seasons, viruses and bacteria have accelerated the pace of reproduction
Influenza has entered a high incidence period
A child in the family can be hit at any time
This flu season, how to do a good job of infant protection
Let's learn from the editor
01
Why is the flu so frequent in different seasons?
Influenza, also known as influenza, refers to an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. According to the antigenicity of nucleocapsideprotein (NP) and matrixprotein (MP) inside the virus, influenza can be divided into four types: A (A), B (B), C (C), and D (D).
So, why is it more likely to get the flu during the autumn and winter seasons?
This is because in autumn and winter, when temperatures drop, people spend more time indoors, have closer and longer contact with people who may be carrying the virus, and therefore have a greater chance of infection. In addition, the air is dry in autumn and winter, and when people get the flu, when they cough or sneeze, many particles will be sprayed from the nose and mouth, and these particles will break down into smaller particles that float in the air for a long time, which are more likely to be inhaled into the respiratory tract and cause illness. Therefore, autumn and winter are the high incidence seasons of influenza, and everyone must actively prevent it.
02
What is the difference between the flu and the common cold?
Both the common cold and influenza are caused by viral infections. The common cold, also known as the cold, is an acute self-limited inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by infection with a variety of pathogens, mainly affecting the nose, nasopharynx, throat, and sinuses. At least 2 days from exposure to the virus until the development of signs and symptoms (incubation period).
It can cause sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose, sore throat, cough, low-grade fever, headache and fatigue. The natural course of the disease is 7~10 days, and some symptoms may last for 3 weeks. Occasionally, it can cause complications such as pneumonia. The common cold is not seasonally pronounced and can occur all year round.
Compared with the common cold, the respiratory symptoms of influenza tend to be mild, but its systemic symptoms are often more severe, such as persistent high fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, and the duration of symptoms is longer.
In addition, influenza is mainly caused by influenza A and B viruses, and the hemagglutinin released by them can initiate infection, and in severe cases, it can induce cytokine storm, resulting in infection and poisoning, especially in high-risk groups, they may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and multi-organ insufficiency, and even lead to death.
In particular, it is important to note that influenza not only occurs in winter and spring, but also in crowded areas such as schools and nurseries, so parents with children must pay more attention.
03
How to effectively prevent influenza in infants and young children?
At present, it is the high incidence of influenza, the baby's resistance is poor, and it is more susceptible to the invasion of the virus, how to prevent it? Here are a few tricks to learn!
- Breast milk contains antibodies to fight off disease and nutrients needed for your baby's growth, so breastfeeding is the easiest and most effective way to boost the immunity of breastfeeding infants and young children.
- In autumn and winter, the climate is changeable, and the temperature difference between day and night is large, so it is necessary to help children increase or decrease clothes in a timely manner. Babies are easy to kick the quilt at night, and parents should pay attention to covering them in time to avoid catching a cold.
- Let the baby drink more water, which can keep the mucous membrane in the baby's mouth and nasal cavity moist, which can effectively play the role of removing bacteria and viruses.
- Maintain good living and social habits such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, ventilating frequently, and reducing contact with children.
- During the high incidence of influenza, parents should try not to take their children to various shopping malls, amusement places and other crowded places with turbid air.
- Ensure sleep, balanced nutrition, proper exercise, enhance physical fitness, and improve children's immunity and resistance.
- Influenza vaccination is currently the most effective means of preventing influenza and can significantly reduce the risk of influenza and serious complications in young children. It is recommended that children with weak constitution and underlying medical conditions, if conditions permit and there are no contraindications, it is best to get a flu vaccine before the end of November for prevention.
04
What should I do if my child gets the flu?
In autumn and winter, many parents are very worried about their children being attacked by the flu; Once a child does get the flu, they are even more scrambling and don't know how to deal with it. At this time, parents should stay calm and take the following measures:
01
Cool down in time
If the underarm temperature is less than 38.5°C, physical cooling is preferred. In terms of the use of antipyretics, if the child is under 2 months old, no antipyretic analgesics can be used; For babies over 2 months old and body temperature higher than 38.2°C, accompanied by obvious discomfort, acetaminophen is recommended, and for children over 6 months old, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken to reduce fever, but these two medicines cannot be taken together or alternately.
02
drug therapy
In the early stages of influenza, the baby should be treated with antiviral drugs as soon as possible, such as oseltamivir, talamire, etc., but must follow the doctor's instructions before taking the drug, and do not use the drug without authorization.
03
Do a good job of isolation
If you are in the middle of a flu outbreak, it is necessary to isolate your baby at home. Let your baby live alone in a room and be cared for by someone to prevent the flu from spreading to other members of the family.
04
Dietary principles
If your child is not feeling well during the flu and can't eat and keeps throwing up, try to start with water and then give it a small amount of food. In terms of diet, don't be too greasy, you can eat some foods that are easy to digest and protein-rich, such as lean meat, eggs, etc., and the disease will get better faster.
05
Seek medical attention as soon as possible
If your child, especially a young child, has a high fever that does not go away during the flu period, persistently unable to eat, and has a poor mental state, it is important to take your child to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
For the health of the child
Let's work together!
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