Since the beginning of winter this year, respiratory infections have entered a period of high incidence in various places. This round of respiratory infectious diseases presents a trend of common epidemic of multiple pathogens, and the peak of infection is to beNew coronavirus, influenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus, etcSome of these common respiratory diseases are predominant. In response to this peak of respiratory tract infections, Popular Science China invited Li Tongzeng, chief physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Beijing You'an Hospital, to explain in detail the common misunderstandings about respiratory diseases on the Internet. 
Gallery copyright**, use may lead to copyright disputesWhy is there a spike in respiratory infections this winter?
Is it "immunity debt"?
The number of respiratory infections this winter has exceeded the level of the same period in previous years, and the infections are mainly children and young adults, and the elderly population is relatively small, and many countries and regions around the world have similar situations. At present, mainstream scholars, including experts from the World Health Organization, are considering that it is related to "immunization debt" or "immunization gap". Due to the impact of the new crown epidemic in the past few years, everyone has reduced the infection of various respiratory pathogens by wearing masks, washing hands frequently, reducing unnecessary gatherings and going out, etc., which has led to a decrease in the immune barrier of the population to respiratory pathogens, especially in children. In addition, infectious diseases have their own epidemic cycles, usually there is a peak in 3 7 years, and this year many pathogens are exactly in the year of the peak of the epidemic. A variety of respiratory pathogens are prevalent
Does superimposed infection increase the incidence of severe disease?
Due to the epidemic of multiple pathogens, there are indeed cases of superinfection, co-infection, and recurrent infection, which may lead to a longer course of illness, more complex symptoms, a higher risk of severe disease, and an increased need for hospitalization. From the point of view of social **,
There are a particularly large number of patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Is this really a big year for mycoplasma?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection also has epidemic cycles, and it is true that there are relatively obvious epidemic peaks every 3 7 years. The number of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections this year has increased significantly compared with previous years, and the main reason is that it is in line with the objective law of epidemics. In addition, with the advancement of detection methods, the detection rate of mycoplasma will increase, and the number of detected people will also increaseAntibody testing in many healthcare facilities can lead to an increased false positive rate。Because there are many mild cases and hidden infections in mycoplasma, some people's antibody positivity may be a previous infection, not necessarily a recent infection, which may lead to a high false positive rate of mycoplasma, and will also affect the follow-up regimen and effect. The current flu infection rate continues to rise
Is it too late to get vaccinated?
If you can, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Influenza vaccination is an effective means of preventing influenza and can effectively reduce the incidence of influenza and the probability of severe disease and death after infection. Usually 2 to 4 weeks after the flu vaccine, the body produces antibodies with protective levels. At present, the influenza infection rate is relatively high, especially for high-risk groups with severe influenza cases, it is recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible, which can not only reduce their own risk of infection and severe disease, but also protect family members. People who have already been infected with the influenza virus and have not received a flu vaccine are also advised to get vaccinated as soon as possible. In the same flu season, there may be 2 or even 3 different strains of influenza virus circulating at the same time, infection with one virus does not make the body immune to other viruses, and influenza vaccination can prevent multiple influenza virus infections.
For example, this winter's flu is the H3N2 strain, but there are a few cases of influenza caused by the influenza B strain, so even if you have been infected with the influenza A virus, you can get extra protection against the influenza B virus. 
Gallery copyright**, use may lead to copyright disputesIn case of a hit,
How do I find out which pathogen I am infected?
Is it important to know what pathogen you are infected with?
If you have symptoms, you need to analyze and evaluate what kind of pathogen you are infected with, which is meaningful for disease and prevention. So how can you tell which pathogen you are infected with?
The first is based on exposure history.
Try to know if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms in the people you are in contact with, and whether anyone has been diagnosed with influenza or Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and these exposure history is important to determine which pathogen you are infected with. For example, if you have a fever, cough, sore throat and other symptoms after exposure to a flu case, you may be infected with the flu virus. The second is based on symptoms. The typical manifestations of influenza are rapid onset, with high fever, cough, sore throat and obvious fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain and other symptoms, while Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has a relatively slow onset, the typical manifestations are repeated high fever, mainly dry cough in the morning, and there can be sputum production in the later stage, while the symptoms of the common cold are relatively mild, no fever or only low-grade fever, typical symptoms are usually nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and coughing, sore throat, generally 3 to 5 days can be self-healing. Patients know which pathogen they are infected with, which is meaningful for disease and prevention, especially influenza, early diagnosis can be antiviral** as soon as possible, reduce the risk of severe disease, shorten the course of the disease, and reduce the risk of infection, especially for people at high risk of severe cases, early antiviral** can effectively reduce the risk of severe and critical disease. In additionInfluenza is a notifiable infectious disease in China, and after diagnosis, it should be isolated in time to avoid infecting people around you。For Mycoplasma pneumoniae or some bacterial infections, antibiotics after diagnosis** can also reduce the risk and duration of severe disease. However, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and other viruses lack effective antiviral drugs, which are mainly symptomatic. A cold and fever,
Do you want to see a doctor right away?
Or at what point do I need to see a doctor?
The general symptoms of the common cold are relatively mild, and they can heal on their own in about 3 to 5 days, and they usually do not need to go to the hospital for treatment, mainly to rest at home, and can use antipyretic and analgesic drugs, antitussive and expectorant drugs to relieve uncomfortable symptoms. If you still have recurrent high fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, strained inhalation, chest tightness, chest pain, poor eating, listlessness, drowsiness and other serious conditions for more than 3 days, you need to see a doctor in time. After a cold and fever,
What should I pay attention to if I care at home?
If you have symptoms of cold and fever, you should rest in time, try to isolate yourself from your family, and try to choose a room with a separate window for isolation. If contact with family members cannot be avoided, both parties should wear masks and try to maintain a certain distance to reduce the risk of transmission in the family, especially the elderly, children, pregnant women and other people with underlying diseases and weakened immunity at home need to be protected to avoid close contact. Patients should ensure adequate rest, appropriately increase fluid intake, and choose antipyretic and analgesic drugs, cough and phlegm drugs according to symptoms. If the condition worsens significantly, or if there is no trend of improvement for more than 5 days, prompt medical attention is required. This wave of respiratory diseases has a peak of infections
How to do a good job of prevention?
The first is to consider vaccination, those who meet the conditions for vaccination should be vaccinated as much as possible, such as influenza vaccine, new crown vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, etc., various vaccines are suitable for different groups, if there are no contraindications to vaccination, you should try to protect yourself through vaccination. The second is that people with respiratory symptoms should self-isolate in time, take precautions, try to avoid infecting others, do not advocate going to work or school while sick, and do not participate in gatherings and visiting relatives and friends during illness. Protect yourself by wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, opening windows for ventilation, paying attention to cough etiquette, maintaining social distancing, etc., and try to minimize the time spent in crowded places with poor air circulation. You are in the midst of this wave of respiratory infections,
Are there any cases that stand out to me?
This year, I was impressed by the fact that some patients were re-infected and co-infected, and I had two children from a colleague, the first time was the 8-year-old brother's flu, and within 3 days, the 3-year-old brother also had the flu. Remind the child's mother that in this case, the younger brother should be isolated as soon as the brother is diagnosed with the flu, and the use of oseltamivir granules for post-exposure prophylaxis can be considered. As a result, my brother went to school after the flu**, and was infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in less than a week, this time my mother isolated my younger brother in time to avoid my younger brother being infected, but it was 2 weeks later that my brother had a fever and sore throat again, and this time the doctor found that it was scarlet fever, which was caused by streptococcal infection and a respiratory infection. I was deeply impressed by the fact that a child had three respiratory tract infections in a month, which also showed that the prevention of respiratory tract infections is relatively difficult and should be taken seriously. Planning and production
Author丨Li Tongzeng, Chief Physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital.
Review丨Tang Qin, Director of the Science Popularization Department of the Chinese Medical Association, Researcher
Planning丨Lin Lin.
Editor-in-charge丨Lin Lin.