How much do you know about scientific prevention of influenza and viral diarrhea in winter and spring？
Cctv newsWinter and spring are the high-incidence seasons for some infectious diseases such as influenza, and New Year’s Day is approaching. In order to remind the public to do a good job in health protection during the holiday season, on December 26th, the National Health and Wellness Committee held a press conference on the prevention of common diseases in winter and spring and health tips during the holiday season. At the meeting, Li Zhongjie, director and researcher of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China, introduced the popular science information on the prevention of common infectious diseases in winter and spring.
Winter and spring are the high season for respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza and viral diarrhea such as norovirus. The public can greatly reduce the risk of infection and transmission by mastering the basic knowledge of common respiratory infectious diseases and viral diarrhea and adopting scientific prevention methods.
Respiratory infectious diseases are caused by human infection with viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, chlamydia and other pathogens, which are mainly respiratory symptoms. Many pathogens cause mild symptoms and belong to self-limiting diseases (that is, they can recover without treatment). Some pathogens only cause symptoms of the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx) (such as sore throat and runny nose), while some pathogens cause more serious symptoms, including bronchitis, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Some special groups, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women and patients with basic diseases, are prone to pneumonia, meningitis and myocarditis after being infected with some respiratory pathogens. Respiratory infectious diseases can be spread by droplets or droplet nuclei with germs ejected by coughing and sneezing, and healthy people can also be infected when they touch articles contaminated by pathogens discharged by patients.
Norovirus infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis) is a common acute intestinal infectious disease caused by Norovirus. The transmission route of the virus is easy to realize, mainly through contaminated food and water, but also through contact with patients’ excrement and vomit, contaminated hands, objects and utensils, and aerosol generated by vomiting. Outbreaks mostly occurred in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, nursing homes, factories, large cruise ships and other crowded places, and there were reports of outbreaks on airplanes abroad. Norovirus can be discharged with the patient’s feces and vomit, causing environmental pollution, and can survive for a long time in the external environment, such as the surface of objects, sewage, garbage, surface water and food. Acute gastroenteritis symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea often occur within 48 hours after being infected with norovirus, and vomiting symptoms are more common, so it is also called "winter vomiting disease". The course of disease is usually 2-3 days and the prognosis is good.
The most effective and economical way to prevent infectious diseases is vaccination. Influenza vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of infection, onset and severe illness. In addition, maintaining good personal hygiene habits in daily life is also an important means to prevent respiratory infectious diseases. The main measures include the following aspects.
1. A healthy lifestyle is an important guarantee to enhance physical fitness and improve physical resistance. In daily life, we should keep enough sleep, adequate nutrition and proper physical exercise.
2. Developing good personal hygiene habits can reduce the risk of spreading pathogens through contact, which is an important measure to prevent the spread of respiratory infectious diseases and viral diarrhea. For example, when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with paper towels, towels, etc. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
3. Pay attention to keep the home and workplace environment clean, and pay attention to cleaning the room and workplace frequently. At home, if there is a patient with respiratory infection, wear a mask when taking care of the patient. Articles and floors contaminated by norovirus can be disinfected with chlorine-containing disinfectants.
4. People with high risk of infection and severe illness should go to crowded public places as little as possible to reduce the chances of contact with sick people.
Finally, once the symptoms of respiratory tract infection or acute diarrhea or vomiting appear, patients should rest at home to avoid transmitting the pathogen to other people. If the symptoms are serious, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible and get effective treatment in time.
In short, by taking the above preventive measures in daily life and developing good life behaviors and hygiene habits, the occurrence of common infectious diseases in winter and spring can be greatly reduced.