Spring is here, be careful to prevent respiratory infections! Keep this guide!

In spring, everything comes back to life, and bacteria and viruses are also ready to move. For the elderly, spring is the peak season for infectious diseases, and people need to be more vigilant. Today, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital will talk about common infectious diseases in spring and how to prevent them.

influenza

Flu is a common disease in spring. It is caused by influenza virus, has an acute onset, and its symptoms are much more severe than those of the common cold, with symptoms such as high fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, etc. It is also prone to cause serious complications such as pneumonia and myocarditis.

The high-risk groups for influenza mainly include the following categories:

First, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups to influenza and are also the most likely to develop severe illness. If they already have underlying diseases, it may also aggravate the underlying diseases. After the elderly are infected with the influenza virus, they are often accompanied by secondary bacterial infections.

Second, people with chronic diseases, immunosuppression or immunocompromised are at higher risk of influenza complications.

The third is pregnant women. If they suffer from influenza-related pneumonia, they are more likely to increase the risk of premature birth and fetal death.

Vaccination is very important to prevent influenza. Especially for the above-mentioned key groups, if they have not received the influenza vaccine and have close contact with patients who have been confirmed or suspected of influenza, it is recommended that they take preventive anti-influenza virus drugs as directed by a doctor within 48 hours after contact.

Norovirus

Norovirus infection should not be underestimated. It is highly contagious and is mainly transmitted through contaminated food and water, and can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. After infection, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain will occur . Children and the elderly are at high risk.

To prevent norovirus, you should pay special attention to food hygiene , avoid eating raw or cold food, especially shellfish and other seafood, and boil drinking water. Clean and disinfect your home regularly, especially the kitchen and bathroom, which are places where bacteria are likely to grow. If you are accidentally infected, you should replenish water and electrolytes in time to prevent dehydration. If the symptoms are serious, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible.

pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumoniae is widely present in the human nasopharynx. When the body's resistance is reduced, the bacteria may take advantage of the situation and cause pneumonia. Patients will have symptoms such as high fever, cough, sputum, chest pain, etc. , and in severe cases, respiratory failure may occur.

Elderly people susceptible to pneumonia:

1. Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Pneumonia can easily cause blood pressure fluctuations and induce acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Patients with pneumonia and heart failure should pay attention to preventing worsening of heart failure symptoms. Measures include controlling the infusion rate (<50ml/h), controlling fluid intake, maintaining blood pressure and blood sugar stable, maintaining blood oxygen saturation stable, etc. Pay attention to monitoring heart rate and weight changes.

2. Diabetic patients: Pneumonia can easily cause blood sugar fluctuations. For patients with obvious blood sugar fluctuations and poor control with oral medications, they should pay attention to dietary guidance, monitor blood sugar, and dynamically adjust doctor's orders. Vaccination against pneumonia is an important measure to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. In daily life, you should keep warm, avoid catching cold, and do outdoor activities appropriately to strengthen your physical fitness.

Shingles "Snake around the waist"

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in nerve ganglia after the initial infection, but can reactivate when immunity declines, spreading along the nerves and causing shingles.

Shingles usually starts with a pain or burning sensation, followed by clusters of small blisters in the area of ​​the nerve distribution. The blisters rupture and form scabs, and the whole process usually lasts 2-4 weeks. Shingles pain may last for months or even years. Recombinant shingles vaccine can effectively prevent it in people over 50 years old.

In this vibrant spring, I hope every elderly person can have a healthy body and spend a happy spring!

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Liang Fengling, Geriatrics Department II, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital

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(Edited by YT)