Common cold, epidemic flu (influenza for short) and upper respiratory tract infections. These illnesses affect almost everyone, causing symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue that make it impossible to rest at ease. But are you really aware of these common health problems? For example, are commonly used antibiotics really effective against colds? Also, what are the similarities and differences between colds, flu and upper respiratory tract infections?
Upper respiratory tract infections, often referred to as colds, are common illnesses caused by a variety of microorganisms (eg, common rhinovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus). Specifically, common rhinovirus is the main causative agent of the "nasal cold"; Adenoviruses usually trigger colds in the summer; Enteroviruses, such as echovirus and coxsackievirus, cause symptoms similar to those of a gastrointestinal cold. Colds can be spread in two main ways: through direct human contact or indirectly through respiratory excretions (such as nasal fluids, sneezes, or droplets from coughing).
Another common respiratory illness is the epidemic of influenza, also known as influenza. It is caused by influenza viruses (including types A, B, C and their variants) and is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection. Influenza is mainly transmitted through airborne droplets, which is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, which can easily cause widespread epidemics. The incubation period of influenza is usually a few hours to 4 days, and it can lead to a variety of complications such as neurological damage, cardiac lesions, myositis, rhabdomyolysis syndrome and septic shock. Older people and immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to pneumonia.
Daily health measures:The key to preventing influenza and other respiratory infections in children is daily hygiene. Teach your child to use soap and water to clean their hands thoroughly and avoid crowded places. At the same time, pay attention to the hygiene of personal items, such as avoiding sharing utensils and towels. In addition, instruct your child to reduce contact with the face (eyes, mouth, nose) and regularly disinfect frequently touched objects in the home, such as doorknobs, flushes, kitchen countertops, and toys.
Vaccination Recommendations:For flu prevention, the flu vaccine is recognized as the most effective method. Considering that influenza viruses mutate every year, the flu vaccine is updated each year to deal with new circulating strains. According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is strongly recommended that all children 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine, especially before the peak flu season. In our country, it is generally recommended to be vaccinated in the autumn and winter months from September to December each year to provide an extra layer of protection for children and family members.
In the current context of heightened health awareness, people tend to be overly sensitive to reacting to any symptoms, especially in the wake of the pandemic. But in reality, whether it's a common cold, flu or coronavirus, in most cases, we rely on the right symptoms** to relieve discomfort. The main purpose of the drug is to relieve these symptoms, not to direct ** viral infection. The key is to take appropriate measures as soon as signs of infection appear. In the face of any form of upper respiratory tract infection, the following points are especially important:
Maintain proper water intake and ensure that the daily water intake is not less than 1500 ml.
For asymptomatic patients, no pharmacological intervention is required. For symptomatic patients, appropriate medications are selected on a case-by-case basis. Special care should be taken to avoid mixing multiple drugs. For example, if you have already taken traditional Chinese medicines such as Lianhua Qingwen, Jinhua Qinggan or Xuanlung Sepsis Granules, you do not need to take drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as the former already has antipyretic effects. Similarly, ibuprofen should also be avoided at the same time as drugs such as Gankang and White Plus Black. An overdose or abuse of drugs can lead to liver and kidney damage.
Enhance the body's nutrition. Prioritize high-protein foods such as eggs, milk, soy products, etc., and eat more fruits rich in vitamin C, such as lemons, kiwifruit, etc. In addition, there is no scientific basis for the claim on the Internet that canned yellow peaches can be ** disease. On the contrary, for people with cough symptoms, canned yellow peaches may aggravate cough, so it is recommended that everyone choose food rationally.
Maintain indoor air circulation and environmental hygiene, such as frequent ventilation and frequent hand washing.