Flu season is coming, are you ready?

Author: Fang Xiao, Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Reviewer: Wang Huaili, Chief Physician of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

Influenza, or "flu" for short, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. The symptoms of influenza are sometimes very similar to those of the common cold, but are usually more severe and the onset of symptoms is more acute. Fever is the most common and prominent clinical manifestation of influenza. High fever is common and can last for several days. In addition to the common cold symptoms of cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and runny nose, influenza patients often experience systemic symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and diarrhea. A small number of patients may have complications such as pneumonia, encephalopathy, and rhabdomyolysis, and even cause death. There have been four global influenza pandemics in history, resulting in the loss of millions of lives. Every October, various parts of my country enter the influenza epidemic season. At present, the number of influenza patients has shown an increasing trend. How should we deal with it? Please keep the following suggestions.

1. How to prevent influenza?

1. Get a flu shot

Getting the flu vaccine on time is the most effective way to prevent the flu, helping to reduce the risk of infection and lessen the severity of illness.

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When should you get the flu vaccine?

Influenza viruses are highly variable, so the composition of the flu vaccine will be updated according to the mutation of the flu virus that year. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for effective antibodies to be produced after receiving the flu vaccine, so it is recommended to get vaccinated as early as possible before the start of the flu season, generally in September or October each year. If you miss this opportunity, you can still get the flu vaccine at any time during the flu season, because the flu usually lasts until the spring of the following year, and even if you get vaccinated in the middle and late stages of the flu season, it can provide a certain degree of protection.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Vaccination is recommended for children over 6 months old, the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, as well as healthcare practitioners and nursing institution practitioners. For children under 6 months old, there is currently no suitable influenza vaccine. It is recommended that all family members who take care of the children be vaccinated against influenza to establish a family protection circle to indirectly protect the children and avoid bringing the virus home and infecting the baby.

2. Maintain good hygiene and living habits

(1) During the flu season, you should wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth and nose, as these are ways for the virus to enter the body.

(2) When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow.

(3) It is recommended to wear a mask when in contact with people at higher risk of infection.

(4) Avoid contact with influenza patients.

(5) Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and reduced stress, can strengthen the immune system and help the body fight infection.

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2. How to kill influenza virus?

Common disinfectants such as ethanol, iodine, iodine tincture, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid and ultraviolet rays can kill influenza viruses. When using them, you need to follow the safety instructions of the disinfectants or equipment. Influenza viruses are sensitive to heat and can be inactivated at 56°C for 30 minutes.

3. What should I do if I come into contact with a flu patient?

If you have been in contact with an influenza patient and have not received the influenza vaccine, or have not yet gained immunity after vaccination, you can use oseltamivir or zanamivir for prevention under the guidance of a physician, according to the recommendations of the Influenza Diagnosis and Treatment Program. When used for prevention, the dosage is the same as the treatment dosage, but only once a day for 7 consecutive days. It should be noted that drug prevention cannot replace vaccination, which is the most effective prevention method.

4. Do you need to take anti-influenza drugs if you have the flu?

Influenza is a self-limiting disease, and most patients can recover on their own by reducing fever and getting enough rest. If you have a high fever or other flu-like symptoms during the flu season, you should seek medical attention promptly and develop a treatment plan after a thorough evaluation by a physician.

For children, the elderly, and influenza patients with underlying diseases and low immunity, it is recommended to use anti-influenza drugs as early as possible. Using anti-influenza drugs within 48 hours of onset can effectively shorten the course of the disease and reduce the probability of developing severe illness and complications.

Oseltamivir is an oral preparation suitable for patients of all ages, with a course of 5 days; zanamivir is an inhaled preparation suitable for children over 7 years old, with a course of 5 days; mabaloxavir is suitable for influenza patients over 5 years old, with a single dose. All the above drugs need to be used under the guidance of a physician.

5. What are the precautions for home isolation?

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(1) During home quarantine, influenza patients should take medication on time as directed by their doctor and get enough rest.

(2) Drink plenty of water and eat foods that are easily digestible and nutritious.

(3) Keep the room ventilated, wear a mask, and minimize contact with people you live with.

(4) Caregivers should wear masks and clean or disinfect their hands promptly after contact with patients or items used by patients or respiratory secretions, and disinfect the room.

(5) During home treatment, if the patient has persistent high fever for more than 3 days, severe cough, significantly increased sputum volume, purulent or bloody sputum, rapid breathing, dyspnea, chest pain, cyanosis of the lips, severe vomiting or diarrhea accompanied by significantly reduced urine volume and other dehydration symptoms, abnormal urine color, slow reaction, drowsiness, irritability, convulsions, and significant aggravation of the original underlying disease, he should seek medical attention in time and be hospitalized if necessary according to the doctor's advice. Remember to wear a mask as much as possible during medical treatment.

6. How long do influenza patients need to be isolated?

Both influenza patients and latently infected people are contagious. Influenza patients are contagious 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms until 48 hours after the body temperature returns to normal. Among them, the highest contagiousness is 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. It is generally believed that influenza patients should be isolated until 7 days after the onset of symptoms, or 48 hours after the fever (without the use of antipyretics) and other flu-like symptoms disappear. However, the detoxification period of children and immunocompromised patients will be prolonged, so the isolation period for children can be appropriately extended according to local epidemic prevention policies.