As we approach the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases like influenza, which typically runs from October to March, it’s crucial to focus on the at-risk populations—namely the elderly and children. How can we scientifically manage these risks? We turned to experts for their insights.
Recently, a young boy named Zhan Jinghang from Dexing City, Jiangxi Province, visited the hospital with his mother after experiencing cough and runny nose that interfered with his regular classes.
Zhan’s family member, Qi Xueping, shared, “The temperatures have dropped recently. We took him to the mall yesterday, and afterwards, he seemed lethargic. By midnight, he had developed a high fever and was complaining of a sore throat, so we rushed him to the hospital.”
Following a diagnosis, doctors confirmed that the young boy had contracted the flu.
According to Feng Zhanhua, the head of the Pediatric Health Department at Dexing People’s Hospital, “Influenza is generally considered an acute illness characterized by high fever, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, and overall fatigue, often accompanied by potential exposure history.”
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, with an incubation period typically ranging from 1 to 4 days, averaging around 2 days. Experts indicate that while flu activity in China remains at a low to moderate level, there has been a rise in cases in some provinces since September.
Feng emphasized, “Vaccination against the flu can effectively reduce the risk of infection, illness, and severe complications.”
With both the elderly and children being particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, experts stress the importance of implementing everyday preventive measures to break the chain of virus transmission.
The main transmission pathways for respiratory infectious diseases are twofold:
1. Droplet transmission from an infected person through coughing or sneezing.
2. Contact transmission, which can occur through close contact with an infected individual or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, eyes, or nose.
Xu Jinghang, an attending physician in the Infectious Diseases Department at Peking University First Hospital, highlighted the importance of wearing masks, stating, “The first key step is to wear a mask to prevent the entry of pathogens through the respiratory tract. Secondly, washing hands is essential. There can be viruses on various surfaces, so thorough hand hygiene is crucial in cutting off transmission.”
Experts further advise:
– Regularly monitor the health of elderly and young family members, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever or cough arise, following medical guidance for safe medication.
– If someone in the household is diagnosed with a respiratory infectious disease, it’s important to minimize close contact with other family members, particularly the elderly and children, and seek medical advice when necessary.
(Reported by CCTV reporters Sun Jinyan, Kong Bingbing, and Li Linsong)