How to strengthen the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in winter? Here comes the authoritative answer →

The National Health Commission held a press conference in the Press Conference Hall of Building 2 of the National Health Commission on December 20 to introduce the seasonal solar terms and health-related situations and answer questions from reporters.

Winter is the season when respiratory diseases are most prevalent. What are the main pathogens and how should we strengthen prevention and control?

Xu Jianguo, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Winter is the season with a high incidence of respiratory diseases, so respiratory infectious diseases in winter are about two to three times that of other seasons. In recent years, our country's ability to detect a variety of pathogens has greatly improved. According to current data, there are about 30 pathogens that can cause respiratory infections, of which more than a dozen are relatively common, such as influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and new coronavirus are currently the main pathogens. Due to the influence of climate, temperature, etc., winter respiratory pathogens also show regional characteristics. Southern provinces are mainly rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, etc., while northern provinces are mainly Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus, adenovirus, etc.

Although winter respiratory infectious diseases can show multi-pathogen and regional differences, commonly used individual prevention and control measures can play a good preventive role, such as strengthening physical exercise, paying attention to personal hygiene habits, and disinfecting and ventilating to optimize the indoor environment. Vaccination is a very important preventive measure for the elderly and children. Campus cluster infection and the subsequent community transmission caused by it are one of the main transmission modes of winter respiratory infectious diseases. Therefore, strengthening campus prevention and control and avoiding campus cluster infection are a key to the prevention and control of winter respiratory infectious diseases.

Recently, we have noticed that influenza is on the rise. What are the characteristics of influenza epidemics? How can we protect ourselves and our families during the influenza season? What special tips and suggestions does the disease control department have?

Xu Jianguo, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: There are four main characteristics of influenza epidemics. First, there are many transmission routes. Influenza viruses can be transmitted through droplets produced by sneezing and coughing of infected people, or through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes. For example, the most common way of transmission is when hands touch objects contaminated by the virus and then touch their own mouth and nose.

Second, influenza is highly contagious and can easily spread rapidly among the population, causing clustered outbreaks.

Third, asymptomatic carriers can spread influenza viruses. The incubation period of influenza is 1 to 4 days, and the virus is contagious from the end of the incubation period to the acute period after the onset of symptoms. The influenza virus replicates very quickly, and the virus titer can reach its peak 24 hours after infection. Asymptomatic carriers of influenza viruses are common, reaching about 30%. Therefore, since asymptomatic carriers do not know that they have been infected with the virus, they spread the virus without knowing it themselves or the people around them.

Fourth, influenza viruses are extremely prone to mutating, which can easily cause large-scale epidemics.

Given the characteristics of the influenza virus, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to wash your hands frequently, gather less, wear masks, ventilate more, and strengthen your body during the peak season of respiratory diseases in winter. The elderly, children and other susceptible groups should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

The disease control department will strengthen monitoring and promptly inform the public of monitoring conditions, preventive measures, precautions, etc., so that the general public can be familiar with and master the prevention and control knowledge of winter respiratory infectious diseases, which is the most effective way to prevent the disease.

In winter, the temperature drops, indoor activities increase, and the risk of transmission of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses increases. This is also an important cause of the spread of infectious diseases. How do these microorganisms cause the occurrence and spread of diseases? And how can we prevent them?

Xu Jianguo, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: After entering winter, the climate becomes colder and drier. Cold air and other factors can damage the respiratory mucosa, making it easier to be infected by pathogens. In particular, there are a variety of pathogens that can invade the human respiratory tract and reproduce to cause diseases. As the temperature drops, the cold air in winter will weaken the clearance ability of respiratory cilia, making sputum and pathogenic microorganisms more likely to remain in the airway, weakening the barrier function of the mucosa, creating opportunities for pathogens to invade and easily causing respiratory infections. Some pathogens can survive on surfaces such as metal, plastic, glass, and clothing for a few hours to several days. The most important thing is that bacteria and viruses are invisible to our naked eyes. The pathogens in our living environment are infectious, but we cannot see the existence of this risk with our naked eyes, which makes it difficult to prevent infectious diseases.

For any infectious disease, prevention is the top priority. Good personal living habits are a powerful weapon to prevent respiratory infections. It is recommended that everyone wash hands frequently, ventilate more, and wear masks. If there is an outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases in the local area, pay attention to less gathering. It is very important for the elderly, children, people with chronic diseases and other people with low immunity to get vaccinated against influenza and new coronary pneumonia, which can effectively reduce the risk of infection.

Of course, we need to maintain a regular schedule and get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise moderately to enhance our health.

Source: National Health Commission official website

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