How can the elderly, people with underlying diseases, and ordinary people protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic? Authoritative response!

With the weakening of the pathogenicity of the Omicron virus, the popularization of vaccination, and the accumulation of prevention and control experience, my country's epidemic prevention and control is facing new situations and new tasks. At present, how can people with high risk of severe illness and ordinary people protect their health? How do you view the demand for medication? Wang Guiqiang, a member of the medical treatment expert group of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism, gave a professional answer.

1. Q: Who are at high risk of severe illness? What should they do?

A: There are three main groups of people at high risk of severe illness: the elderly over 60 years old, especially those over 80 years old, patients with underlying diseases, and people who have not been vaccinated. For them, the most effective protection is vaccination.

People who have not been vaccinated may not be aware of the risks of COVID-19 infection. Some people are afraid to get vaccinated because they have underlying diseases. Some elderly people are worried that it will be inconvenient to get vaccinated. If infected with COVID-19, elderly people with underlying diseases are more likely to develop severe illness or even die. The latest measures issued by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council require further improvement of everyone's awareness of vaccination and accelerated promotion of COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly.

Medical staff should scientifically determine vaccination contraindications, such as severe allergic reactions during previous vaccinations, such as anaphylactic shock and laryngeal edema. Vaccination should be postponed for patients with acute infectious diseases in the fever stage. Tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients with hypertensive crisis, patients with coronary heart disease who have myocardial infarction, and autoimmune nervous system diseases in the progressive stage should be postponed. Active vaccination is also a way to protect your own health.

2. Question: What else should individuals pay attention to in order to protect their health?

A: For the general population, wash hands frequently, wear masks when going out, ventilate frequently, avoid gatherings, maintain a balanced diet, get adequate rest, exercise properly, and maintain a good attitude.

Patients with chronic underlying diseases should take their medications as directed by their doctors. Patients with chronic respiratory diseases should try to avoid going out when the temperature drops suddenly or during bad weather.

If you experience fever, sore throat, cough or other discomfort, you should monitor your health. If people at high risk of severe illness have persistent high fever or difficulty breathing, they should go to the hospital in time to avoid worsening of the disease.

3. Question: Winter is the peak season for respiratory viruses. Should we stock up on corresponding medicines?

A: my country has sufficient reserves of drugs for treating respiratory infections. You can stock up on some daily antipyretic and analgesic drugs at home, but there is no need to rush to buy or hoard them.

After nearly three years of fighting the epidemic, my country's medical and health care and disease control systems have withstood the test. At present, the pathogenicity of the Omicron virus is weakening. If infected with the Omicron variant, some people will have symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat. Some symptomatic supportive drugs, including traditional Chinese medicine, can be used. For people at high risk of severe illness, if approved small molecule drugs for the treatment of new coronary pneumonia are used, they should follow the doctor's instructions.

Source: Xinhua News Agency