Young people should not take influenza lightly

Not long ago, Ms. Wang, who was only 32 years old, came to the hospital for treatment because of chest tightness and high fever for 4 days. A series of examinations showed: pneumonia caused by influenza A virus, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, viral myocarditis, rapid progression of the disease, and even respiratory failure... Fortunately, after being admitted to the hospital in time and undergoing active intervention treatment, she finally got better.

Ms. Wang's case is not accidental. Among the influenza patients who have come to the hospital for treatment recently, young and middle-aged people account for a large proportion. If influenza is not treated promptly and effectively, it may develop into severe pneumonia, leading to "white lungs" and endangering life.

Which group of people are prone to developing severe pneumonia?

Influenza, also known as flu, is an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza virus. Currently, the main influenza A viruses that infect humans are the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes and influenza B viruses. Which groups of people are more likely to develop severe pneumonia?

The first are children, mainly those under the age of 5, especially infants under the age of 2, whose immune systems are not fully developed and their resistance is relatively poor.

The second group of people are the elderly. Generally, those aged 65 and above have declining physical functions, and their cardiopulmonary functions may be weakened, making them less able to resist influenza viruses.

Thirdly, there are people with chronic underlying diseases, such as chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, etc.), cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, heart failure, etc.), metabolic and endocrine diseases (diabetes, etc.), nervous system diseases (such as stroke, etc.), and immunosuppressed people (including people who use immunosuppressants for a long time, HIV-infected people, etc.). These chronic diseases can impair body functions, so they are more likely to develop serious lung lesions after being infected with the influenza virus.

Special reminder: Nowadays, many young and middle-aged people have low immunity and are often in a sub-healthy state due to high work and life pressure, insufficient rest, irregular diet, etc. Therefore, they are also very likely to be infected with the influenza virus and even develop severe illness. Therefore, young and middle-aged people should not take influenza lightly. If you feel unwell, you should seek medical attention in time and do not bear it.

How to recognize flu symptoms early

The symptoms of influenza are somewhat different from those of the common cold. Be alert if you have the following symptoms:

1. Sudden high fever and obvious chills;

2. Severe headache and body aches;

3. Fatigue, dizziness and drowsiness;

4. Chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.

For most healthy people, influenza is self-limiting. After the 3rd to 4th day, the high temperature gradually subsides and systemic symptoms improve.

Patients with influenza symptoms generally need to undergo routine blood tests, biochemical tests, and chest imaging examinations. The results of viral nucleic acid tests can help confirm the diagnosis, and chest imaging examinations can determine whether the inflammation has spread to the lungs.

Treatment of influenza

Once infected with the flu, people at high risk should seek medical attention promptly; people without high-risk factors, if their symptoms are not serious, can observe at home for 3 days. If there is no improvement, they should seek medical attention promptly.

Effective drugs for influenza A treatment include oseltamivir phosphate and arbidol hydrochloride, which can effectively prevent and treat influenza A and B. The earlier they are used, the better the effect. At the same time, patients should pay attention to rest, drink plenty of water, pay attention to nutrition, and closely observe changes in their condition.

How to prevent influenza?

Influenza patients and latently infected people are the main sources of seasonal influenza infection. It is mainly transmitted through air droplets, and can also be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes. Contact with objects contaminated by the virus may also cause infection. In crowded, closed or poorly ventilated rooms, it can also be transmitted in the form of aerosols.

Therefore, to prevent influenza, we must first avoid contact with patients and avoid crowded places. In addition, we must add or remove clothes in time, maintain a balanced diet, and do appropriate physical exercise.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that if you experience symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, sputum, runny nose, and nasal congestion, it is recommended to seek medical attention in a timely manner; if the disease progresses seriously and symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and cyanosis of the lips appear, you should seek medical attention immediately.