As spring approaches, how can we prevent and treat influenza?

Spring is here, and although it is warm and flowers are blooming, it is also the season when influenza is most prevalent. Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses, characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, body aches, and cough. This article will popularize knowledge about the prevention and treatment of influenza to help everyone better cope with the challenges of the flu season.

1. Causes and transmission of influenza

Influenza is a highly contagious disease caused by influenza viruses. There are two main ways of transmission: droplet transmission and contact transmission. Droplet transmission refers to the release of tiny droplets carrying the virus from the mouth and nose when a patient coughs, sneezes or talks. The droplets spread rapidly with the air flow and directly infect people around. Contact transmission refers to direct contact between the patient and contaminated items such as secretions (such as oral secretions, nasal mucus, sweat, etc.), blood, feces, etc., and other people can be infected by indirect contact with contaminated items or by entering the body through the mouth and nose.

In addition to droplet transmission and contact transmission, influenza viruses can also be transmitted through contaminants. For example, if influenza viruses contaminate door handles, elevator buttons and other items in public places, people who touch these items and then touch their mouths, eyes, noses and other parts of their bodies with their hands are easily infected.

Different people have different susceptibility to influenza viruses. Generally speaking, the elderly, children, and people with underlying health problems are more susceptible to infection. In addition, people in closed environments are more vulnerable to the virus, such as public transportation, schools, hospitals, and offices. Therefore, during the influenza season, people in places with many people should pay attention to strengthening health protection to reduce the risk of infection.

2. Measures to prevent influenza

1. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes to reduce the spread of viruses. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of the tissue in time. Maintain indoor air circulation and regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces to effectively reduce the spread of influenza viruses.

2. Eat a healthy diet. Eating more foods rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can help boost your immunity. Avoiding excessive drinking and consuming too much sugar, and maintaining a properly balanced diet can help improve your body's immune function and reduce the risk of contracting the flu.

3. Avoid contact with patients. Try to avoid close contact with people who have flu symptoms, such as shaking hands, hugging, or sharing items. When in crowded places, try to keep a certain distance and avoid staying for a long time. If you feel unwell or have flu symptoms, you should reduce outdoor activities to avoid spreading the virus to others.

4. Pay attention to indoor air circulation. Open windows regularly to ventilate and keep indoor air fresh and flowing. Avoid staying in closed spaces for a long time, especially crowded places. Using air purifiers or air fresheners can help remove bacteria and viruses in the air and improve indoor air quality. A good indoor air environment can reduce the time that viruses stay in the air and reduce the risk of influenza infection.

3. Treatment of influenza

1. Rest. Flu patients should get enough rest and avoid overwork, which will help the body resist the virus, restore physical strength and speed up recovery. When resting at home, you can exercise moderately, but avoid strenuous exercise.

2. Diet adjustment. During the flu period, you should drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, which helps dilute the virus and promote the excretion of waste in the body. At the same time, the diet should be light and easy to digest, eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, porridge and other light foods, and avoid eating irritating and greasy foods.

3. Medication. For common flu patients, symptoms can usually be relieved by using over-the-counter drugs, such as antipyretics, analgesics, and cough suppressants. However, when using drugs, you should follow the doctor's or drug instructions to use them rationally and avoid overdose or abuse of drugs to avoid adverse reactions or drug resistance.

4. Antiviral drugs. For patients with severe influenza or worsening conditions, doctors may consider prescribing antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs can inhibit the replication and spread of viruses, shorten the duration of the disease and alleviate symptoms, but they must be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Influenza is a common but serious disease. Taking appropriate treatment in time can help patients recover as soon as possible, relieve symptoms and avoid complications. During the treatment process, proper rest, healthy diet and medication are important means. At the same time, avoiding excessive fatigue and maintaining good personal hygiene habits are also key to preventing influenza.

In summary, influenza prevention requires attention and efforts in many aspects. Only by developing good hygiene habits can influenza be effectively prevented. For the treatment of diseases, medications should be used under the guidance of doctors to avoid abuse of drugs. In the high-incidence season of influenza, improving self-protection awareness and maintaining personal hygiene are the key to preventing influenza. I hope everyone can spend a healthy and happy season in spring. (Si Erli, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)