Health Science | Knowledge about the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in autumn and winter

Health Science | Knowledge about the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in autumn and winter

Tongling Disease Control

As the cold front arrives, our city will see rain and cooling weather. While the public is adding more clothes to keep warm when going out, they should also improve their knowledge of common infectious diseases in autumn and winter to keep themselves healthy every day. Next, let's talk about the common types of infectious diseases in autumn and winter and how to prevent them.

[Respiratory infectious diseases]

Respiratory infectious diseases are mainly transmitted through air, droplets and close contact. Generally, there are symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum and some have rashes and diarrhea. People are generally susceptible to respiratory infectious diseases, especially children, the elderly and people with low immunity. Common respiratory infectious diseases in autumn and winter include:

1. Novel coronavirus infection

It is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus. The incubation period is usually 2 to 4 days, with the main symptoms being dry throat, sore throat, cough, fever (mostly low- to moderate-grade fever, some may be high fever); some may be accompanied by muscle aches, decreased or loss of smell and taste, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, etc.; a small number of patients continue to develop symptoms of pneumonia.

2. Influenza

It is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus, which is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Typical clinical symptoms are: sudden high fever, dry cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, accompanied by systemic symptoms such as muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. Severe cases may be fatal!

3. Mycoplasma pneumonia

It is an atypical pathogenic microorganism with a size between bacteria and viruses, and is mainly transmitted through direct contact and droplets. Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be continuously sporadic or periodically prevalent, and the general population is susceptible, especially school-age children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can be mild or severe. In most cases, the infected person has no symptoms or only mild cold symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, etc. Currently, macrolide antibiotics are the first choice for the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

4. Chickenpox

It is an acute infectious disease caused by the primary infection of varicella-zoster virus. It can also be infected through contact with patients with shingles. It mostly occurs in winter and spring and can occur in children and adults. Its clinical manifestations are characterized by fever and the appearance of large numbers of generalized red maculopapular rashes, blisters, and scabs.

5. Mumps

A common respiratory infectious disease among children and adolescents caused by the mumps virus, characterized by swelling of the parotid glands. The onset is relatively rapid, with fever, chills, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body pain, etc. After a few hours to 1-2 days, the parotid glands swell significantly.

6. Other common infectious diseases

For example, measles and rubella, with the widespread vaccination and the improvement of people's immunity, the incidence of the disease has decreased significantly in recent years, but we still need to pay attention to prevention and identification.

[Prevention of respiratory infectious diseases]

1. Vaccination: such as influenza, new coronavirus, pneumonia, chickenpox, measles-mumps-rubella, and meningitis vaccines, vaccination protects susceptible groups.

2. Pay attention to ventilation, keep air flowing, and maintain good environmental hygiene.

3. Wash your hands frequently, develop good living habits, do not spit, and enhance self-protection awareness to cut off the transmission route.

4. It is recommended to wear masks in enclosed public spaces, and try not to go to crowded and poorly ventilated places or go as little as possible; patients with respiratory diseases should actively wear masks at home or when going out to avoid infecting others.

5. Eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, eat more vegetables and fruits, and strengthen your physical exercise to enhance your resistance.

6. If you have respiratory symptoms such as fever or cough, you should reduce contact with others and decide whether to seek medical attention based on the severity of your illness. It is recommended that you wear a mask properly when seeking medical attention.

〔Intestinal infectious diseases〕

Intestinal infectious diseases are transmitted through the "fecal-oral" route and are "eaten" infectious diseases. They are usually caused by bacteria or viruses contaminating hands, drinking utensils or food, etc., which are not properly handled and then eaten. Common intestinal infectious diseases in autumn and winter include:

1. Hand, foot and mouth disease

It is mainly caused by infection with enterovirus 71 (EV 71) and coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16), and mostly occurs in children under 5 years old, but some middle school students also become ill.

The main symptoms are maculopapular rashes and herpes on the hands, feet, mouth and other parts of the body. A few severe cases may develop meningitis, encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, pulmonary edema, circulatory disorders, etc.

2. Rotavirus and Norovirus Infection

The disease mainly occurs from mid-to-late October to March of the following year, with clinical symptoms mainly characterized by acute gastroenteritis, i.e. watery diarrhea, accompanied by fever, vomiting and abdominal pain, and loose or watery stools. Symptoms such as headache, chills and muscle pain may also be seen, and dehydration may occur in severe cases.

[Prevention of intestinal infectious diseases]

1. Five musts: wash hands before meals and after defecation, cook purchased seafood thoroughly, reheat leftover food thoroughly, keep raw and cooked food separate, and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

2. Five Don’ts: Don’t drink unboiled water, don’t patronize unlicensed restaurants, don’t eat rotten food, don’t overeat, and don’t touch unsterilized items.

3. Pay attention to environmental hygiene, food hygiene and personal hygiene. Implement garbage sorting to prevent water pollution; disinfect items that may be contaminated by patient excrement.

4. Separate meals without separating preferences. We should promote civilized dining, use public chopsticks and spoons or separate food. When an intestinal infectious disease occurs, we should consciously stop banquets and gatherings.

5. Strengthen physical exercise, enhance physical fitness and improve resistance.

6. Carry out necessary vaccinations: such as hand, foot and mouth disease vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, etc.

Although there are many kinds of infectious diseases in autumn and winter, as long as we pay attention to prevention and take protective measures, we can effectively block the spread of infectious diseases. Let us start with ourselves, practice a healthy lifestyle, and be the first person responsible for our own health!