Influenza B accounts for more than half of cases! What is influenza B? Can you be infected again after having influenza A?

The Spring Festival is approaching

Many people are preparing to start "return home mode"

Or are planning to travel during the Spring Festival holiday

At present, influenza is the main respiratory disease in my country.

The proportion of influenza B increased

In the case of frequent crowds

Many people accidentally fall into the trap

How to prevent influenza during the Spring Festival travel season

Let’s find out together!

Understanding Influenza B According to the monitoring data of the "Influenza Surveillance Weekly Report", the current influenza epidemic in the country is still at a high level, and influenza B accounts for more than half of the total.

What is influenza B? Influenza B, abbreviated as influenza B, is the influenza A virus caused by type B.

(Photo source: Life Times)

Influenza B usually has an acute onset, with fever, sore throat, and dry cough as common symptoms. Children are more likely to experience digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea than adults. Influenza B patients are usually concentrated in preschool and school-age children, and most of the infections are clustered.

Can I be infected with influenza B again after having influenza A? Yes!

Both influenza A and influenza B are influenza virus infections. According to the nucleoprotein and matrix protein of influenza viruses, they are divided into four types: A, B, C, and D (or A, B, C, and D). In recent years, the viruses that have caused seasonal influenza epidemics in my country are mainly the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A virus and the Victoria strain of influenza B virus.

Influenza A virus and influenza B virus are different in structure and do not have cross-immunity mechanisms, so people who have had influenza A may still be infected with influenza B virus again.

Prevention of influenza B During the Spring Festival travel season, the mobility of people increases, which increases the risk of influenza B transmission. In order to better protect ourselves, we can take the following scientific protective measures.

Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent influenza and can effectively reduce the risk of infection and complications. According to the "Technical Guidelines for Influenza Vaccination in China (2023-2024)", all people aged ≥ 6 months who have no contraindications to vaccination should receive influenza vaccination.

Even during the influenza epidemic, getting a flu vaccine is still effective in preventing influenza. You can get a flu vaccine before going home.

Precautions during the Spring Festival travel rush

Wearing a mask: In crowded places such as public places and on public transportation, you must wear a mask that meets the protective requirements, especially when going to high-risk areas such as hospitals, stations, and airports.

Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water, or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Also wash your hands promptly after touching public items.

Seven-step hand washing method

Pay attention to respiratory hygiene: do not spit, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and then throw the tissue into a closed trash can.

Carry out health monitoring: If symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, etc. occur, take measures such as resting at home, taking medicine, or seeking medical treatment in time according to the situation.

Don’t delay doing these two things after you are infected with influenza B! What should you do if you are infected with influenza B? Many doctors remind you: Don’t delay doing these two things after you are infected with influenza B!

1. Take anti-flu medicine as soon as possible, don’t delay

There is no difference in the treatment of influenza B and influenza A. The main treatment is to use anti-influenza drugs, which can shorten the course of the disease. ** Medication should be taken as early as possible. If you take it late, the disease will either heal on its own or turn into a serious condition, and the efficacy will be greatly reduced.

It is recommended that patients with underlying lung diseases, immunodeficiency, diabetes, obese patients, pregnant women, and patients on dialysis go to the hospital as soon as possible.

2. Take a break in time, don’t delay

In December 2023, a 14-year-old influenza B patient was admitted to the First People's Hospital of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. In just over a month, she had contracted mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza A, and influenza B.

Doctors say that repeated infection with mycoplasma, influenza A, and influenza B in a short period of time is related to low immunity and lack of recovery and rest. Will repeated infection in a short period of time aggravate the condition? How to use medication after being infected with influenza B? **** How can high-risk groups reduce the risk of infection? **Click on the picture to learn more↓↓↓