What are the characteristics of influenza A? Should antiviral drugs be used? Expert answers

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 13th , Title: What are the characteristics of influenza A? How to prevent it for key groups? -- Medical experts answer hot issues on influenza A prevention and treatment

Xinhua News Agency reporters Gu Tiancheng and Dong Ruifeng

According to influenza monitoring by the disease control department, the current level of influenza virus activity in my country has increased, with influenza A being the main type. What are the characteristics of influenza A? Should antiviral drugs be used? How can key populations be prevented? Is it possible for influenza A and COVID-19 to overlap?

In response to hot issues of influenza A prevention and control that concern the public, the National Health Commission recently organized authoritative experts including Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, Tong Zhaohui, deputy director of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, and Wang Quan, director of the Emergency Department at Beijing Children's Hospital, to provide answers.

Hot topic 1: What are the characteristics of influenza A and should antiviral drugs be used?

Wang Guiqiang introduced that influenza A is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza A virus infection, which is different from the common cold. Generally, influenza symptoms are more severe than the common cold, and can cause persistent fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea, general discomfort, etc. The elderly and children are more likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms. Influenza is relatively harmful, and severe cases can cause pneumonia, and there is a risk of inducing and aggravating the underlying diseases of the elderly.

Wang Guiqiang, director of the infectious disease department of Peking University First Hospital, was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gu Tiancheng)

Influenza is a self-limiting disease, but there are a variety of antiviral drugs for treatment. Not every patient needs to use antiviral drugs. It is recommended to use them early when the risk of severe illness is high and the symptoms are severe. Early use of antiviral drugs can shorten the course of the disease, alleviate symptoms, and reduce the risk of severe illness.

How to tell if you have influenza A? Tong Zhaohui said that the fever of influenza is often higher than that of the common cold, which may reach over 39 degrees Celsius. If you find yourself experiencing some upper respiratory tract symptoms, it is recommended to first undergo influenza antigen screening and then take medication. The course of influenza is long, generally 3 to 5 days, and severe cases can last up to 5 to 7 days, while the common cold generally gets better quickly after 1 to 2 days of runny nose and coughing.

Hot topic 2: How can key groups prevent the disease? Do they need to be vaccinated?

The elderly and children are vulnerable groups during the influenza epidemic. Tong Zhaohui said that the following three points should be achieved for these two key groups to prevent influenza: First, it is recommended that infants, children and the elderly with underlying diseases should be vaccinated against influenza in advance during the annual epidemic season; second, it is recommended that key groups reduce going out during the influenza epidemic, insist on wearing masks, ventilating frequently, and washing hands frequently; third, childcare institutions and schools are places where children and adolescents gather, so special attention should be paid to the prevention of influenza. Once a child in the class has a fever, it is recommended that they fully rest at home and go to school after they are fully recovered.

Wang Quan, director of the emergency department of Beijing Children's Hospital, is interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gu Tiancheng)

What symptoms may children have contracted influenza A, and what situations need parents' special attention? Wang Quan introduced that most children infected with influenza have mild symptoms, with respiratory tract infection as the main manifestation. Taking symptomatic medication in time, drinking plenty of water and getting more rest are conducive to children's recovery. During the influenza epidemic period, if a child at home has a fever for more than three days or has a high fever of more than 40 degrees Celsius, or has symptoms such as difficulty breathing, pale face, vomiting and diarrhea, decreased urine output, and confusion, they should seek medical attention immediately.

Wang Quan said that vaccination of key groups before the influenza epidemic period can reduce the probability of contracting influenza. For infants under 6 months old, since they cannot be vaccinated against influenza, cohabitants and caregivers are encouraged to actively get vaccinated against influenza.

Hot topic 3: Will you form an immunity period after having influenza A? Is it possible for influenza A and COVID-19 to be superimposed on each other?

Wang Guiqiang said that after recovering from viral infectious diseases such as influenza A, a certain immune barrier will be formed in a short period of time and will have a certain degree of protection.

Tong Zhaohui, deputy director of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, is interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporter. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gu Tiancheng)

Some members of the public are concerned about whether influenza A and COVID-19 will overlap. Tong Zhaohui said that both influenza A and COVID-19 are respiratory infectious diseases, so there is a possibility of overlapping infection, but there is no need to worry too much. Only when the immune function is low and the new coronavirus is not completely eliminated from the body, there is a certain possibility of co-infection. At the same time, according to the fever clinic monitoring data that has been mastered, influenza A accounts for the absolute majority of the current fever patients, with a high proportion.

Tong Zhaohui said that wearing masks, washing hands frequently, ventilating frequently, maintaining social distance, and actively getting vaccinated are all effective means of preventing respiratory infectious diseases. In the face of respiratory infectious diseases, prevention is the most important thing, and we call on everyone to persist in personal protection and health monitoring.

Source: Xinhua News Agency