The sixth "World Flu Day" is coming - Correct understanding of influenza and scientific prevention are the key

Year after year, the autumn and winter flu season is coming. November 1, 2024 is the sixth "World Flu Day", with the theme of "Prevent Flu, Protect Health". Influenza is a common respiratory infectious disease, and all people are generally susceptible. What is the difference between influenza and common viral colds? How should ordinary people prevent and deal with it?

Flu can come and go

Influenza, or flu for short, is an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza A, B, and C viruses, and is a Class C infectious disease. Influenza is more common in winter and spring in China, and clinical manifestations are mainly systemic poisoning symptoms such as high fever, fatigue, headache, cough, and muscle aches, while respiratory symptoms are relatively mild.

The source of influenza infection is influenza patients and their latent carriers. Influenza is contagious 1-7 days after onset, and is most contagious 2-3 days after onset. Influenza is mainly transmitted through air droplets, and influenza patients will develop a certain degree of immunity after the disease. There is no cross-immunity between the three types of influenza, and between different subtypes of influenza A, and the disease can recur.

Typical influenza has an acute onset, with an incubation period of several hours to 4 days, usually 1-2 days; patients experience high fever symptoms, with body temperature reaching 39-40°C, accompanied by chills, which generally lasts for 2-3 days; symptoms of systemic poisoning are severe, such as fatigue, headache, dizziness, and body aches; the disease lasts for a long time, and after the patient's body temperature returns to normal, symptoms such as fatigue may persist for 1-2 weeks; symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion are relatively mild, and sore throat is often present; at the same time, some patients also experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.

It should be noted that the elderly, infants, people with cardiopulmonary diseases, or those receiving immunosuppressant treatment are more likely to develop pneumonia after contracting influenza.

Influenza has an acute onset and is mostly self-limited, but some patients develop severe illness due to complications such as pneumonia or worsening of underlying diseases. In a few cases, the disease progresses rapidly and may lead to death from complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute necrotizing encephalopathy, or multiple organ failure, so we still need to actively prevent and treat it.

The difference between influenza and viral colds

First, the causes are different. Influenza is usually caused by influenza virus infection, while viral colds are mainly caused by rhinovirus, adenovirus and other viral infections.

Second, the symptoms are different. Influenza is mainly characterized by systemic poisoning symptoms, while respiratory symptoms are relatively mild. Patients have symptoms such as general fatigue, muscle aches, joint pains, and systemic poisoning manifestations such as not wanting to eat. Respiratory symptoms of influenza patients include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc., and the symptoms are relatively mild. Viral colds are mainly characterized by severe respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, etc., and systemic poisoning symptoms are relatively mild.

Third, the treatment methods are different. Through antiviral drug treatment, influenza patients are best to take medication 24-48 hours after onset, and the symptoms can be relieved. Therefore, influenza patients need to seek medical treatment in time, and receive antiviral treatment and isolation in the early stage. Commonly used antiviral drugs are oseltamivir and mabaloxavir. Viral colds are usually treated with symptomatic supportive treatment. In addition, influenza is a Class C infectious disease, and confirmed patients are best isolated in time. Common viral colds do not require isolation, and patients only need to stay in bed and rest more.

Flu prevention measures

First, develop good hygiene habits. In daily life, we should keep our living environment clean, clean it regularly, wash our hands in time when we come back from going out, and cover our mouths and noses with tissues when we sneeze or cough.

The second is to keep the indoor air circulating. You can open the windows for ventilation every day to avoid indoor humidity. You can use desiccant. Only by keeping the room dry can you reduce the activity of influenza virus and prevent influenza.

Third, keep exercising. Taking walks, jogging, Tai Chi and other exercises every day can enhance the body's resistance and prevent influenza virus infection, but you should also be careful to avoid overload exercise.

Fourth, vaccination. For patients with chronic diseases, frail elderly people and young children, influenza vaccination should be given in time, which has a better preventive effect. At the same time, they need to avoid crowded places.

(The author Pan Na is deputy chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the Air Force General Hospital)