What is influenza?
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus. At present, influenza viruses that infect people mainly include H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A virus and Victoria and Yamagata strains of influenza B virus.
Influenza virus is highly contagious and mainly spreads through respiratory tract. The main clinical manifestations are fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and other discomfort. Most of them are self-limited, but severe cases can be life-threatening
Is influenza the same as the common cold?
Influenza is different from the common cold.
First of all, the pathogens are different. The main pathogens of influenza are influenza A and B viruses, while the pathogens of common cold are respiratory syncytial virus, coxsackie virus, adenovirus and other viruses.
Secondly, the clinical manifestations are different. Patients with influenza have severe systemic symptoms, such as high fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and other discomforts, while respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose and sneezing are mild, while the common cold is the opposite.
Finally, different treatments, influenza has specific antiviral drugs, while the common cold has no specific antiviral drugs, only symptomatic support.
Does influenza only happen in autumn and winter?
Influenza A in China presents a diversified spatial pattern and seasonal characteristics: the northern provinces present a winter epidemic pattern, and some southern provinces present a single annual peak from April to June every year, while the mid-latitude areas between them present a double-cycle peak from January to February and from June to August every year.
Influenza B is mainly prevalent in winter and spring.
How does influenza spread?
Influenza virus is mainly spread by droplets such as sneezing and coughing. It can also spread in the form of aerosol in a crowded, closed or poorly ventilated room. Indirect transmission can also be caused by contact with articles contaminated by viruses and hands with viruses.
What should I do if I get influenza?
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease. Therefore, patients with mild symptoms should pay attention to home isolation, open windows for ventilation, wash their hands frequently, and wear masks when contacting others.
Get plenty of rest, pay attention to drinking plenty of water, and pay attention to eating foods that are easy to digest and rich in vitamins. If the fever is high, Tylenol, Merrill Lynch and other antipyretic drugs can be treated appropriately.
Influenza is a viral infection, so don’t use antibiotics at will. For patients with severe or short-term progressive aggravation, antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible (within 48 hours), such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and mabaloxavir.
What is the situation that requires hospitalization?
You need to go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible in the following situations:
① Persistent high fever > 3 days, accompanied by severe cough, expectoration, bloody sputum, or chest pain;
(2) rapid breathing, dyspnea and cyanosis of the lips;
3 mental changes or convulsions such as unresponsiveness, lethargy and restlessness;
④ Severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration;
(5) pneumonia;
⑥ The underlying diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic cardiac insufficiency, chronic renal insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, etc. are obviously aggravating.
Which patients are prone to severe manifestations?
For the following people, it is necessary to closely observe the changes of the disease and seek medical advice as soon as possible:
① Children under 5 years old (children under 2 years old are more likely to have serious complications);
② Older people over 65 years old;
③ People with the following basic diseases: chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, blood system diseases, nervous system diseases, metabolic and endocrine system diseases, malignant tumors, people with immunosuppression, etc.
④ Obese people: Body mass index (BMI＝ = weight/height 2) > 30;
⑤ Pregnant and perinatal women.
What measures can be taken to prevent influenza?
Vaccination: Vaccination is the most effective means to prevent influenza. It is recommended that the elderly over 60 years old, children aged 6 months to 5 years old, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases should be given priority in influenza vaccination.
Drug prevention: For high-risk people who are prone to develop severe influenza, it is recommended to take drug prevention within 48 hours after exposure, such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and mabaloxavir.
Maintain good personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently, opening windows frequently to ventilate, keeping the environment clean and tidy, and avoiding covering your mouth and nose with hands or paper towels when coughing or sneezing in crowded places during the flu season.
Authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital
Attending physician Yin Donglin Chief physician Xu Jie
The original text was published in Shanghai Science and Technology News.
Original title: "A doctor says a doctor | The" Eight "Know of Influenza Season"
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