This winter, with the frequent occurrence of respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma pneumonia, many people choose to wear masks again.
As a result, topics such as long-term wearing of masks will owe "immune debt", and even cause lung nodules and respiratory diseases, have once again attracted attention.
Will there be respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma pneumonia that are on the decline at present, and how can we protect them scientifically?
Wearing a mask for a long time may cause an "immunity gap".
During pandemics such as pandemics and influenzas, masks have helped us reduce the invasion of viruses. But wearing a mask for a long time may indeed have the consequence of weakened immunity.
Li Tong, chief physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Beijing You'an Hospital, once told China News Service that people are usually exposed to various pathogens around them, and their immune systems are stimulated for a long time, so they will be in a state of "fighting" with a strong level of immunity, and antibodies will remain at a relatively high level. "But after wearing a mask for a long time, the exposure to pathogens decreases, and the body's antibody levels against pathogens gradually decrease. ”
Humans and microbes are in a state of mutual adaptation and harmony, and microorganisms enter the body through aerosols every day, but because the amount is relatively small, the immune system will automatically recognize and remove them. Experts note that this small amount of stimulation is beneficial for the immune system to maintain normal function.
Chen Liang, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Beijing Jingmei Group General Hospital, told China News Service that if you do not accept new microorganisms in nature for a long time, such as influenza viruses and bacteria, the original antibodies in the human body will slowly fail, and new antibodies cannot be produced in time. As a result, when exposed to some new microorganisms that change greatly, more severe manifestations of infection will occur.
At the same time, Li Tong has said that the immune barrier formed by the group will become weaker after the antibody level declines, and once a new disease is prevalent, the transmission speed will be very fast, and people with low immunity levels such as the elderly and children and groups with underlying diseases will be more susceptible to infection.
Li Tong once said for example that this year's epidemic of respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma pneumonia is related to the increase in susceptible people in the past three years under the comprehensive protection of people wearing masks for a long time, washing hands frequently, opening windows for ventilation, and reducing unnecessary gatherings.
As for whether wearing a mask for a long time will cause pulmonary inflammation and respiratory diseases as rumored to be, Li Tong once believed that "there is no inevitable connection", but long-term wearing of masks may have an impact on the respiratory function of patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
Wearing a mask for a long time can also inhale too much particulate matterChen Liang said that the airway has a very complete protection system for the body, so whether it is an N95 mask, a medical mask or a cotton mask worn daily, as long as the product quality is qualified, the upper respiratory tract will isolate the fine dust, which has basically no impact on the body.
However, Chen Liang also reminded that you must buy masks with regular channels and qualified quality, as some "three no" products may have more fine dust particles, which may cause asthma after entering the airway, and the dyes in them may also be harmful to the body.
What are the occasions when I can not wear a mask?
Recently, the overall volume of outpatient and emergency respiratory disease diagnosis and treatment in medical institutions across the country has continued to fluctuate and decline. According to Mi Feng, spokesman of the National Health Commission, the data shows that on December 22, the total number of outpatient and emergency respiratory diseases in medical institutions above the second level across the country decreased by 8 compared with the same period last week2%, down 30 from the peak02%。
In this case, how to protect it scientifically?What are the occasions when I can go without a mask?
We are now at the end of the year, and the movement of people is increasing. Peng Zhibin, director of the Department of Respiratory Infectious Diseases of the Infectious Disease Management Department of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested that when traveling by subway, bus, train, plane and other public transportation, it is recommended to wear masks scientifically, wash hands or disinfect hands in time, and do a good job of personal protection during the journey.
According to the Guidelines for the Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Diseases and the Public Wearing Masks (2023 Edition), masks should be worn in the following situations or scenarios:
1.When a person infected with respiratory tract infectious diseases such as new coronavirus infection, influenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and respiratory syncytial virus infection goes to indoor public places or is in close contact with others (less than 1 meter, the same below).
2.If you have symptoms of respiratory infections such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue, and go to indoor public places or have close contact with others.
3.When going to a medical institution for medical treatment, escort, escort, or visit.
4.During the period of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, when outsiders enter places where vulnerable groups such as elderly care institutions, social welfare institutions, and childcare institutions are concentrated.
5.During the period of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, public service personnel such as medical care, catering, cleaning, and security in key institutions such as elderly care institutions, social welfare institutions, childcare institutions, and schools work.
Masks are recommended in the following situations or scenarios:
1.When using public transportation such as airplanes, trains, coaches, ships, subways, and buses during periods of high incidence of respiratory infections.
2.During the period of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, when entering supermarkets, theaters, passenger terminals, van elevators and other places with closed environments and dense crowds.
3.During the period of high incidence of respiratory infections, the elderly, people with chronic underlying diseases, pregnant women, etc., go to indoor public places.
4.During studying, living, or working with a person with symptoms of a respiratory infectious disease.
Common scenarios or scenarios where it is recommended not to wear a mask are:
1.When doing physical activity.
2.When you are in an outdoor place such as an open-air plaza or park.
3.Infants and toddlers aged 3 years and under.
Author: Hua Zhuoma.
*: The country is a through train.