A few days ago, at a press conference held by the State Council Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, the National Health Commission reminded that the three types of people are high-risk groups after infection with the new coronavirus: people over 60 years old, especially those over 80 years old, patients with underlying diseases, and those who have not been vaccinated. How should patients with underlying diseases such as chronic respiratory diseases deal with the new crown epidemic? Professor Xu Kaifeng , Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, will bring you guidance on patients with chronic respiratory diseases in dealing with the new crown epidemic. Learn quickly!
Author introduction: Xu Kaifeng
Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chief Physician, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor. Have rich clinical experience in common and rare and difficult respiratory diseases, especially in the fields of rare diseases such as COPD pulmonary and asthma , lymphangiofibroid disease (LAM) and alveolar protein deposition (PAP).
Complete the COVID-19
Many patients with various underlying diseases mistakenly think that they are not suitable for vaccination with the COVID-19 . In fact, people like are the that most need to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If the COVID-19 vaccination has not been completed as planned, it should be arranged as soon as possible.
There are not many people who really have contraindications for COVID-19 vaccination. vaccination can significantly reduce the incidence of severe illness after infection with new crown . At the same time, patients with chronic respiratory diseases (such as COPD, asthma, bronchodilation and fibrotic lung diseases, etc.) also need to be vaccinated with influenza virus vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine in addition to the new crown vaccine.
Full personal protection
Since the asymptomatic infection of the new coronavirus accounts for more people with asymptomatic infection and the virus is highly transmitted, we need to fully protect ourselves and be the first person responsible for our health. Warm reminder: Pay attention to washing hands frequently and disinfecting hands, pay attention to indoor ventilation, avoid going to places where crowds gather, wear a mask when going out, and keep warm in the cold winter, etc. It is necessary to prepare a certain number of medical surgical masks . When visiting the hospital, it is recommended to wear medical protective masks (N95). Note: Masks cannot be used repeatedly, otherwise it will increase the risk of infection. In addition, it is recommended that some new crown antigen detection reagents be prepared at home, which can be used as a supplementary test method for nucleic acid tests.
Better control of chronic diseases
We found that some patients with COPD use irregular medication and have difficulty quitting smoking, which is extremely unfavorable for chronic diseases themselves and defense against the new coronavirus. recommends that patients with chronic diseases seek medical treatment regularly, treat regularly, quit smoking, pay attention to exercise and rehabilitation, and maintain a good attitude. controls the disease to the best state. If there are other underlying diseases, such as hypertension , diabetes , etc., the relevant indicators must also be controlled to maintain the normal level.
Restaurate home medical supplies
Patients with chronic respiratory diseases, It is recommended to prepare some medical-related items at home , such as finger oxygen meter (used to monitor blood oxygen saturation), thermometer and blood pressure meter , etc.; it is recommended to prepare more commonly used drugs to avoid discontinued medication due to untimely visits. If there is hypoxia, you need to prepare an oxygen generator to meet the oxygen therapy needs.
Learn to use online diagnosis and treatment
At present, many hospitals including Peking Union Hospital have opened online diagnosis and treatment and drug express services , providing great convenience for patients who are inconvenient to go out for medical treatment during the epidemic. The mobile app of Peking Union Medical College Hospital is powerful and constantly updated. Patients can carefully view and learn more about the various functions of the app.
Don't panic for new coronavirus diagnosis
If you have fever, new respiratory symptoms, or the original respiratory symptoms worsen, please do not panic, do a good job in antigen and nucleic acid testing to promptly determine whether there is new coronavirus infection.
Patients diagnosed with the new coronavirus should be isolated and treated in accordance with the current epidemic prevention requirements. data show that after infection with Omickron , it is mainly asymptomatic and mild, and severe cases are rarely seen. Patients who are diagnosed with the new coronavirus need to closely observe their changes in their condition , such as blood oxygen saturation, etc. If the blood oxygen saturation is significantly lower than usual, even if there is no obvious dyspnea worsening , it is necessary to report it to the doctor in time to avoid delaying diagnosis and treatment. Early detection of changes in the disease and timely handling it is the key to obtaining a good prognosis.
Disease treatment does not interrupt
Generally speaking, the daily treatment plan for patients with chronic diseases does not need to be changed, and stopping treatment can aggravate the risk of underlying diseases. If you have any questions about treatment, you need to consult a professional doctor. If you are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or go to the temporary cabin, you need to bring your usual treatment drugs well and enough. For patients with chronic respiratory diseases, have you learned the above knowledge points?
