When the COVID-19 pandemic encounters the flu epidemic season, how should
be prevented?
Winter and spring are the seasons of frequent respiratory diseases such as influenza. Moreover, according to experts from the World Health Organization , the global COVID-19 epidemic situation will continue this year. This winter and next spring may see the epidemic situation of the new crown epidemic and respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza. The early symptoms of influenza and new crown are very similar. There are certain difficulties in identifying them from clinical symptoms alone. The cost of social isolation has increased significantly. The best way is to get influenza vaccine in the population.
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New coronavirus, influenza knowledge, you should know
Influenza is the abbreviation of influenza . It is an acute respiratory infectious disease that is more harmful to humans caused by influenza virus infection . Influenza is generally manifested as acute onset and fever (some cases may experience high fever, up to 39-40℃), accompanied by systemic symptoms such as chills, chills, headache, muscles and joint pain, extreme fatigue, and loss of appetite. Severe patients may experience extrapulmonary symptoms such as viral pneumonia , secondary bacterial pneumonia , acute respiratory distress syndrome, and a variety of complications.
The new coronavirus is the abbreviation of novel coronavirus pneumonia . The current new coronavirus epidemic is still continuing to be epidemic around the world. The Omickron mutant strain has become the main epidemic strain. The clinical manifestations of patients with new coronavirus pneumonia have also shown new characteristics, mainly manifesting fever, dry cough and fatigue. A small number of people will experience severe symptoms of dyspnea or organ failure, and the population is generally susceptible.
Influenza monitoring situation in our province
Influenza monitoring results in our province show that in the past two weeks (September 26 to October 9, 2022), the percentage of influenza-like cases reported by sentinel hospitals across the province continued to increase, slightly higher than the previous two weeks. Since April 2022, the influenza virus in our province has an absolute advantage in type B Victoria, and secondly, a small amount of type A H3N2 virus has been detected.
Currently, our province is in the seasonal season of influenza. The epidemic intensity and dominant strains are basically the same as other northern provinces in the country, and the overall conformity to the seasonal epidemic characteristics of influenza. October to March of the following year is the main season for influenza epidemic in our province, and the level of influenza virus activity in the province will continue to increase in winter. Since April 2022, influenza etiology monitoring in our province has shown that no mutations affecting the transmission, disease severity and drug resistance of the influenza virus that are prevalent this year have been found.
Why is the flu vaccination this year especially important?
Under the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza prevention and control is more important, mainly to reduce interference with COVID-19 prevention and control. The new coronavirus and influenza are both acute respiratory infectious diseases, and the early symptoms of the onset are very similar. For example, if a patient has symptoms of fever, it will be difficult to differential diagnosis of influenza or COVID-19, which may lead to the patient being isolated and managed. The superposition of influenza and the new crown virus infection may cause a significant increase in the mortality rate of the population, which is prone to social panic. At the same time, going to the hospital after suffering from influenza will also increase the risk of contracting the new coronavirus. Therefore, for the public, it is particularly important to get influenza vaccination this fall and winter. Influenza vaccination can effectively reduce the harm caused by influenza-related diseases and the occupation of medical resources.
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How to choose the type of influenza vaccine? Where can the public receive vaccination?
The influenza vaccines approved for marketing in my country include trivalent inactivated vaccine (IIV3), trivalent live attenuated vaccine (LAIV3) and tetravalent inactivated vaccine (IIV4). The trivalent inactivated vaccine can be used for vaccination in people ≥6 months of age; trivalent live attenuated vaccine is suitable for people aged 3-17 years old; tetravalent vaccine can be used for vaccination in people ≥36 months of age. For people who can receive vaccine products from different types and manufacturers, they can voluntarily receive any influenza vaccine, and there is no priority recommendation.
influenza vaccine is a Class II vaccine. At present, most regions have started supplying it, and the public can go to the Class II vaccination sites in various places for consultation and vaccination.
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In addition to vaccination, the Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds everyone to pay attention to the following measures:
1. Maintain a good personal and environmental hygiene, wash your hands frequently, use soap or hand sanitizer and wash your hands with running water, and do not wipe your hands with a dirty towel.
2. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue to avoid droplets contaminating others. Wash your hands immediately after your hands contact respiratory secretions (such as after sneezing).
3. Eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and rest sufficiently to avoid excessive fatigue.
4. Open the windows several times a day to keep the indoor air fresh.
5. During the high incidence of influenza, try not to have crowded places and dirty air.
6. When there is fever, discomfort or other flu symptoms, self-isolate as soon as possible. Influenza patients wear masks at home or when they go out to avoid contagious people.
Source: Qinghai Disease Control, Qinghai Health and Health
