The difference between Wuhan unknown pneumonia and the common cold How to distinguish between cold and pneumonia

We all know that in Wuhan, many people have been infected with the new coronavirus, also known as unidentified pneumonia. It was first discovered in the Wuhan Zhongnan Seafood Market. Its initial symptoms are very similar to those of a cold, including coughing, fever, etc. So what is the difference between Wuhan unidentified pneumonia and a cold? Let's take a closer look!

What is the difference between Wuhan's unknown pneumonia and a cold?

Colds can cause pneumonia. So under what circumstances will it no longer be a simple cold but may lead to pneumonia?

① Shortness of breath

When pneumonia occurs in the human body, the alveoli will be damaged. The alveoli are air bubbles on the surface of the lungs, which help expand the surface area of ​​the lungs and increase the oxygen inhalation rate. If the alveoli are obstructed, it will inevitably affect the normal gas exchange and cause breathing difficulties.

②Continued high fever

If you have a fever during a cold, it will usually subside after two days, and rarely lasts more than seven days. The most common symptom of pneumonia is unexplained fever, which is usually 39-40 degrees Celsius. If the high fever persists, you should be alert.

After the fever subsides, people with a common cold can recover quickly; but even if the fever of pneumonia subsides, it is difficult to regain energy.

③Cough and sputum

Compared with the cough caused by cold, the cough of pneumonia patients is more severe and frequent. In the early stage, it is an irritating dry cough, followed by coughing up white mucus sputum or bloody sputum. After 1 to 2 days, mucus, bloody sputum, rusty sputum or purulent sputum may appear. After entering the dissipation stage, the amount of sputum increases, and the sputum is yellow and thin.

④Chest pain

Pneumonia is caused by pathogenic microorganisms. After entering the lungs, they will attach to the alveolar spaces. In addition, the lung environment is warm and humid, so the microorganisms will multiply in large numbers, not only secreting toxic metabolites, but also affecting other parts of the body. Therefore, chest pain, back pain or abdominal pain may occur when coughing or breathing.

If you experience the above symptoms, it is best to go to the hospital for a chest X-ray in time.

Where is the source of the unknown pneumonia in Wuhan?

It's not uncommon for new viruses to be detected. They can jump from one species to humans and go unnoticed before.

SARS, for example, jumped to humans from live animal markets. It was ultimately traced to civets, raccoon dogs, and other species raised and slaughtered for the exotic food trade. The virus is usually spread among bats, and these animals may have been infected by bats, perhaps by eating food contaminated by bat feces; MERS jumped to humans from dromedary camels.

The pneumonia cases this time were linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Some live wild animals in the market, such as chickens, bats, rabbits, snakes, etc., may be the source of the virus.

How to prevent unknown pneumonia in Wuhan

1. Stay away from hospitals (hospitals are where the highest concentration of sick people are, especially emergency departments, fever clinics, and respiratory departments);

2. Try to stay away from crowded and enclosed environments such as supermarkets, shopping malls, fresh food markets, restaurants, etc.;

3. Try to avoid taking crowded transportation such as subways and buses;

4. Maintain basic hand and respiratory hygiene, wash your hands frequently, and avoid close contact with people who have fever, cough, or sneezing. If the aforementioned scenarios are unavoidable, wear a disposable surgical mask (at least two layers) or an N95 mask. Disposable masks need to be replaced every 4 hours at most, or when they are soaked in water vapor and lose their protective effect.

5. Pay attention to protection when going out and wear a mask. Try not to touch your face, rub your eyes, or take food directly. Wash your hair, take a shower, and do laundry when you get home. If it is inconvenient to wash down jackets every day, you can hang them on the balcony to let the wind blow. If you drive, open all the windows for 10 minutes before you get home.

6. Also, don’t even think about vaccines. It will take several years from vaccine development to mass production for a newly discovered virus.

Related News

Five patients with fever and other respiratory symptoms were found in Zhejiang

Since January 17, five patients with fever and other respiratory symptoms who came from Wuhan have been found in Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Taizhou and Hangzhou. They are currently receiving isolated treatment in designated hospitals and their conditions are stable. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation. The laboratory test results of the patients are being reviewed in accordance with regulations and will be announced to the public in a timely manner once confirmed.

Since the National Health Commission announced the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, Zhejiang has attached great importance to the prevention and control of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. According to the requirements of the provincial party committee and the provincial government, health departments at all levels responded quickly and comprehensively, established special working groups and expert groups, and formulated various emergency measures and work plans in a timely manner. At present, medical institutions and disease prevention and control institutions at all levels in our province have comprehensively strengthened the allocation of pre-examination and triage and fever clinics, and standardized the monitoring, screening, diagnosis, treatment and disposal of suspected cases. All parts of the province have carried out patriotic health campaigns in depth, strengthened environmental remediation, managed farmers' markets well, and fully implemented various prevention and control measures.