Every winter and spring exchange (yes, now) is the traditional flu season in our country, especially pregnant women, infants, the elderly, people suffering from chronic basic diseases are the high-risk groups for influenza transmission. How serious is this year’s flu and will it develop into SARS? Can we do what to protect ourselves and our families? Dr. Clove will come with you.
Pregnant women, children and the elderly are at high risk.
Speaking of flu, One cannot but mention the one that broke out in Europe in 1918. The flu killed 25 to 50 million people around the world at that time. That later generations even named it after the outbreak site, It is the notorious [Spanish flu]. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), Seasonal influenza epidemics can cause 3-5 million severe cases worldwide each year. 250,000-500,000 deaths. Pregnant women, children, the elderly and patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis and other diseases are at higher risk of contracting influenza virus. There are three major epidemic strains of influenza virus this year: H1N1, A (H3N2) subtype and B influenza. The US CDC said that the A (H3N2) influenza virus is more likely to cause severe illness and death than H1N1 and B influenza, especially for the elderly over 65 years old and infants, so it is [more dangerous]. Some people naturally think of SARS in 2003 and will ask whether this year’s influenza will develop into SARS-like diseases? Professor of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, Mr Yuen Kwok-yung, The two diseases cannot be compared, But one thing, Many of the people who died during SARS were young, And they are generally healthy when infected, In contrast, At present, H3N2 flu, Most of the deaths were in the middle-aged and elderly with underlying diseases. Therefore, You don’t have to worry about SARS. Vaccine efficiency is the lowest in 10 years. Influenza vaccines are an important means to protect people from influenza infection. Every year WHO predicts the type of influenza that will prevail next year, Prepare the relevant vaccines in advance. However, This year has a high incidence of influenza and a high mortality rate. One of the possible reasons is the mutation of the A (H3N2) subtype virus, However, WHO could not predict this. The latest influenza vaccine is not very effective against the newly mutated influenza virus A (H3N2). This year’s influenza vaccine is only 23% effective. The lowest level in 10 years. But then again, although the effect of the vaccine may be lower than expected, vaccination is still the best way to prevent influenza. How can we protect ourselves and our families? There are three links in the spread of infectious diseases. They are the source of infection, the route of transmission and the susceptible population. Influenza is a respiratory tract-borne disease. In addition to the general prevention and treatment of respiratory transmission, Special attention should be paid to the following two points: 1. When people have upper respiratory tract discomfort or flu symptoms, You should immediately stop working alone or wear a mask. Avoid infecting others. At the same time, You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The function of seeking medical treatment is to carry out throat swab examination. Verify that it is a common cold or flu. If it is found to be flu, Taking antiviral drugs within 48 hours can effectively reduce the chance of complications and death. 2. Vaccination, Particularly the elderly and young children, This year’s flu vaccine protection rate is relatively low, However, we are still actively advocating vaccination. The reason is that this year’s influenza vaccine has three titers. That is to say, it can resist all three subtypes of influenza virus at the same time. Although this year’s vaccine strain has a low matching degree with subtype A (H3N2) influenza virus, However, the matching degree with influenza B virus is still very high. At present, influenza B of the three major types is prevalent in southern provinces of China. Therefore, it is suggested that the susceptible population in the southern provinces should be vaccinated as soon as possible. In addition, Because vaccines have cross-protective effects, Therefore, even if the protection is weak, However, in the north where the prevalent strain is mainly A (H3N2), It is still worth promoting. Therefore, Various authoritative institutions still continue to recommend the public, especially 65 years old and above, children and other high-risk groups to be vaccinated with influenza vaccines. Influenza vaccines can generally be vaccinated in local community health service centers or vaccination clinics, and everyone can inquire about the contact methods and opening hours of vaccination clinics through 114 or local CDC websites to learn more about vaccination details.