How to stay healthy when the flu "storm" strikes? Here are some prevention tips!

Recently, respiratory diseases such as influenza have been spreading aggressively, and many people have experienced symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and fever. Compared with the common cold, it is more contagious and has a wider range of transmission.

Flu (full name: influenza) is a viral infection disease with strong seasonality, usually caused by influenza A and B viruses. Flu can cause fever, body aches, headache, dry cough and sore throat. Patients may feel more tired and have a poor appetite than usual. The symptoms are most severe 3-4 days after the onset of symptoms, and the disease can take 1-2 weeks to fully recover.

1. Comparison of commonly used detection methods

Commonly used pathogen detection methods in clinical practice include: colloidal gold method (antigen and antibody), conventional PCR, and rapid nucleic acid testing.

Colloidal gold detection: Antigen sensitivity is low and false negatives are likely to occur.

Ordinary PCR: Nucleic acid testing often requires a long waiting time.

Rapid nucleic acid testing: It takes into account both the "quickness" of antigen testing and the "accuracy" of PCR nucleic acid testing.

At present, the laboratory department of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (affiliated hospital of Hunan Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) has added a "weapon" - instant molecular nucleic acid detection system, which can detect respiratory viruses faster and more accurately. POCT nucleic acid has the key advantage of rapid antigen detection. It not only has a short turnaround time, but also has the performance advantages of traditional PCR. It is gradually replacing rapid antigen detection in outpatient and emergency testing.

This detection system can assist clinicians in accurately diagnosing pathogens, improve detection rates, achieve precise medication, shorten the course of the disease, and reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

In order to meet the medical needs of outpatients, the laboratory currently routinely conducts nucleic acid instant testing of respiratory pathogens. This includes rapid nucleic acid testing of common respiratory pathogens such as influenza A/B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The test report can be obtained in as little as 1 hour, which greatly shortens the time from testing to results and provides the most solid and reliable basis for early clinical diagnosis of pathogens.

2. What should I do if I get the flu?

After diagnosis, patients should be isolated and treated as soon as possible. Patients isolated at home should ensure that the room is ventilated, get enough rest, drink plenty of water, and receive symptomatic treatment. The Influenza Diagnosis and Treatment Program (2025 Edition) recommends the use of oseltamivir as early as possible (within 48 hours), which has a significant therapeutic effect.

3. How to prevent influenza?

1. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza;

2. Wash hands frequently and ventilate frequently;

3. The most direct prevention: avoid contact with people with flu-like symptoms;

4. Wear a mask when going out into crowded areas to reduce the risk of infection.

Although influenza is fierce, there is no need to panic as long as we diagnose it early, treat it in time and take active measures to prevent it. Let us take positive actions, get vaccinated, take good personal protection, and cooperate with the hospital's professional testing and treatment.

Whether in the peak influenza season or in daily life, put your health first, build a strong line of defense for yourself and your family's health, stay away from influenza troubles, and embrace a healthy life.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Zhang Jie, Laboratory Department, Hunan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

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(Edited by Wx)