A week of medical lectures| flu≠ cold West China expert Liang Zongan: It is recommended to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible

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Cover news reporter Ning Zhi

Winter and spring are the high incidence seasons for influenza in China. The same is runny nose, fever, cough, what is the difference between the flu and the cold? How can I prevent the flu?

In the column "Weekly Medical Lectures" produced by The West China Hospital of Sichuan University, the Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Sichuan Provincial Health Education Center under the guidance of the Sichuan Provincial Health Commission, we invited Professor Liang Zong'an, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, to answer the questions.

Influenza is highly contagious

Symptoms are more severe than colds

Experts point out that the flu is different from the common cold. First of all, the virus is different, influenza refers specifically to respiratory tract infections caused by various types of influenza viruses; the common cold refers to throat and upper respiratory tract infections caused by various pathogens, such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, bacteria, etc.

The second is the difference in popularity. Influenza can often cause different degrees of epidemics, strongly contagious, with obvious seasonality; while the common cold is mostly sporadic, weakly contagious, and the seasonality is not obvious.

Again the clinical symptoms are different. The clinical symptoms of influenza are more serious than those of the common cold, influenza is mainly severe systemic symptoms, more high fever (39 ~ 40 ° C), can be accompanied by shivering; while the common cold is mainly respiratory local symptoms are more obvious, no fever or mild, moderate heat, no chills. Influenza can not only cause viral pneumonia, but also complications such as bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, and myocarditis.

Generally speaking, the clinical manifestations of influenza lack specificity, influenza diagnosis depends on laboratory diagnosis, and the current clinical application of test methods is mainly influenza virus nucleic acid detection and rapid antigen detection.

How can I prevent the flu?

Influenza vaccine is given annually

Since the flu is so serious, how to prevent it effectively? Experts say that annual influenza vaccination is the most effective means of preventing influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of influenza and serious complications in vaccinators.

In addition, taking daily protective measures can also effectively reduce the infection and spread of influenza, including: maintaining good hygiene habits, covering the mouth and nose with tissues, towels, elbows, etc. when coughing or sneezing; washing hands frequently, trying to avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth; eating a balanced diet, exercising in moderation, and taking adequate rest. Avoid close contact with patients with influenza-like symptoms, during the influenza epidemic season, try not to go to crowd gathering places; after the appearance of influenza-like symptoms, patients should be isolated at home for observation, go to work and class without illness, wear masks when contacting family members, and reduce the spread of the disease; when patients with influenza-like symptoms go to the hospital, patients and accompanying staff should wear masks to avoid cross-infection.

How do I get vaccinated?

Influenza is at least 14 days apart from the COVID-19 vaccine

The interval between influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccination should be greater than 14 days. That is, the covid-19 vaccine is given 14 days after the flu vaccine; or the influenza vaccine is given 14 days after the completion of the covid-19 vaccination process; or the influenza vaccine is given between two doses of the new coronavirus vaccine, that is, the influenza vaccine is given 14 days after the first dose of the new crown virus vaccine, and the second dose of the new crown virus vaccine is given after 14 days.

It is worth noting that the choice of influenza vaccine between two doses of the new crown virus vaccine requires the requirements of the number and interval of the new crown virus vaccination dose at the same time.

Elderly and children, etc

Get the flu vaccine as soon as possible

In principle, people over 6 months of age and without contraindications can be vaccinated against influenza. The Technical Guidelines for Influenza Vaccination in China (2021-2022) combines the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic this year, in order to minimize the harm of influenza and the impact on the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, it is recommended to vaccinate key and high-risk groups in accordance with the priority order, including five categories of priority vaccination groups:

(1) Medical personnel;

(2) Participants and support personnel of large-scale activities;

(3) Vulnerable people and employees in crowd gathering places such as nursing homes, long-term care institutions, and welfare homes;

(4) Groups of people in key places, including: teachers and students of childcare institutions, primary and secondary schools, detainees and staff of prison institutions, etc.;

(5) Other high-risk influenza groups, including the elderly at home aged 60 years and older, children aged 6 months to 5 years, patients with specific chronic diseases, family members and caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months, and pregnant women or women who are preparing to become pregnant during influenza season.

(Thanks to the Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention Xiao Chongkun, Zhou Lijun, Zhou Qian for their academic support)

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