How to restore physical strength during the recovery period? Expert answers!

How to use medicine scientifically after infection? How to relieve cough after turning negative ? How to restore physical strength during the recovery period? ——Experts answer hot questions about epidemic prevention

At present, my country's epidemic prevention and control is facing new situations and new tasks, and the focus of work has shifted from "preventing infection" to "maintaining health and preventing severe illness." How to use drugs safely and scientifically after being infected with the new coronavirus? How to relieve coughs after turning negative? How to restore physical strength during the recovery period? Focusing on social hot spots and concerns, the National Health Commission organized experts in related fields to answer questions.

01

How to use medication safely and scientifically after infection?

With the increase in positive cases recently, some people have been injured due to improper use of drugs during the treatment of COVID-19 infection. Safe and scientific use of drugs is related to the life safety and health of the people.

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Zhang Bo, director of the pharmacy department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that antipyretic and analgesic drugs, such as the commonly used ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are symptomatic treatment drugs. Generally speaking, patients can reduce fever in 1 to 2 days, and once the pain is under control, they can stop taking the drugs and do not need to take them for a long time.

Generally speaking, it is enough to choose one antipyretic analgesic. Many antipyretic analgesics contain the same or similar ingredients. If you choose to use multiple antipyretic analgesics together, it may lead to drug overdose. At the same time, patients must carefully read the instructions before use, including the usage, dosage and precautions of the drug.

**"From the perspective of medication safety, there are many ways to administer drugs, including oral administration, injection, etc. Oral administration is a relatively safe and convenient route of administration." **Zhang Bo said that for some mild patients, choosing oral medications can effectively relieve symptoms.

Zhang Bo introduced that antibiotics usually refer to antibacterial drugs, which are only used to treat infections caused by bacteria. The symptoms caused by the new coronavirus are viral infections, and antibiotics are ineffective in treating infections caused by viruses, which means that antibacterial drugs cannot prevent and treat infections caused by viruses.

In clinical practice, some patients have concurrent bacterial infections, or secondary bacterial infections caused by the new coronavirus infection. In this case, antibiotics and antibacterial drugs can be reasonably selected, but antibacterial drugs must undergo strict evaluation such as routine blood tests before selection.

02

How to relieve the cough after the test turns negative?

Many people infected with the new coronavirus continue to cough after they turn negative. In this regard, Bian Yongjun, deputy director of the Respiratory Department of Guang'anmen Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, said that the pathogenesis of a considerable number of people is diverse. Some are not only cold, but some will have damp heat, some will have phlegm and even dry heat. It depends on each person's specific situation.

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Bian Yongjun explained that the human airway will be damaged due to infection with the new coronavirus. That is, after the airway mucosal epithelium is damaged, the nerves under the mucosa are exposed and easily become sensitive to external stimuli. For example, talking, being cold or smelling a strange odor will cause coughing.

"Don't rush the recovery of a cough. Judging from the pattern of coughs caused by viral infections, the total recovery time is about 2 to 4 weeks, and there is a natural recovery process." Bian Yongjun suggested creating a warm and humid environment indoors as much as possible. Patients should avoid being too tired, too comfortable or less active, and proper exercise is good for recovery. At the same time, try not to eat raw or cold food, and keep warm when going out.

For some discomfort caused by cough, Bian Yongjun suggested that acupuncture, scraping, pulling, local acupoint massage and other methods can be used. On this basis, some diet therapies can be appropriately combined, such as eating pear soup, lily, lotus root and so on.

03

How to restore physical strength during the recovery period?

Liu Qingquan, director of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, said that people infected with the new coronavirus who enter the recovery period or the final stage of recovery should maintain a calm state of mind, eat light and easily digestible foods, pay attention to rest, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid strenuous exercise.

Yu Kang, director of the Clinical Nutrition Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that the recovery process of COVID-19 infection takes some time and requires a gradual transition with sufficient patience. Ensuring nutrition during the recovery period plays an important role in restoring the patient's physical strength. Specifically, there are the following points:

**First, you need to take in the right amount of energy. **Energy should mainly come from staple foods, starting with easily digestible porridge, noodles and other fine grains, then transitioning to softer rice, steamed bread, etc., and starting to increase coarse grains when gastrointestinal function is restored.

**Second, you need to ensure the intake of high-quality protein. **You can choose high-protein, low-fat milk, eggs, lean meat, fish, shrimp, etc. and some foods that are easy to digest and absorb.

**The third is to supplement some trace nutrients, **especially elements like potassium, sodium, vitamin C, etc. from vegetables and fruits. It is best to have "vegetables at every meal and fruits every day".

"At the same time, we must also achieve a balance between eating and exercising. Don't eat too much, and don't exercise vigorously. You should proceed step by step, starting with some slow and gentle exercises," said Yu Kang.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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