Hong Kong’s Department of Health announced that Hong Kong has entered a summer flu outbreak since May this year.
From May 5 to August 2, more than 14,000 people were admitted to public hospitals and tested for influenza, nine times the number in the same period last year. Among them, 450 cases of severe influenza resulted in 307 deaths, with a death rate of 2.1%.
Many media used the headline [death toll exceeds SARS] when reporting this news, so how serious is the flu? Can we be what?
Let’s let the professionals talk about it quickly.
Influenza ≠ Cold
People often like to use [catching cold] to explain all kinds of discomfort, but flu is not [catching cold].
Influenza is caused by infection with highly infectious influenza virus, and catching cold is at best an inducement.
Within 1-4 days after the virus infection, the influenza virus will [live in harmony] with the body, and when the immunity of the human body decreases due to certain factors, the virus will multiply and damage the body.
After the virus enters the body, Not quietly [lying down]. It will begin to be discharged out of the body 24-48 hours before the flu symptoms appear through droplets, sputum, etc. This process usually lasts for 3-8 days, while infants can last for 1-3 weeks. During this period, infected children will have strong infectivity and often pass the flu virus to their families or bring it into public places such as schools, nurseries or residential areas.
Influenza may have these symptoms
However, most typical influenza diseases will suddenly occur and may have these symptoms from head to toe:
- Fever: Generally, it will burn for 3-5 days, Body temperature can be as high as 39 ~ 40 ℃, may appear afraid of cold, chills, cold hands and feet, headache, etc. The younger the child, the less able to express, may just be agitated, crying, etc. Eye performance: many people will also shed tears, have eye excrement or eyes slightly congested, etc. When these conditions occur, don’t think it’s just conjunctivitis, let alone simply classify these abnormalities as [excessive internal heat]. Symptoms of rhinitis: Rubbing nose; Sneeze; Running nose, if not much, is easy to become [nasal excrement]; Children may show crying, wheezing, mouth opening breathing or snoring, etc. Throat discomfort: dry, itchy and painful throat; However, children may show crying or fear of eating, especially solid foods. Cough: mostly paroxysmal, not incessant cough. The number of cough sounds per time may not be many, but it will be more frequent, and most of them are dry cough. Other discomfort: body muscle and joint soreness, fatigue; Children are prone to crying and sticking to people.
These symptoms may occur, but not all of them may occur. The younger the child, the more atypical the symptoms are, and febrile convulsions may also occur.
Looking at the above symptoms, you may feel that they are nothing. Indeed, the symptoms of influenza itself are not terrible. Most people’s flu symptoms will improve in 3-7 days, cough and physical recovery usually take 1-2 weeks.
What really makes controlling influenza urgent is complications.
Terrible is not the flu itself, it is a complication.
The summer epidemic in Hong Kong is dominated by H3N2. At the same time, due to the aging population, the elderly have a greater chance of serious complications caused by infection.
When influenza has complications, it will be very troublesome, such as laryngitis, acute otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis, etc.
Among them, severe influenza is very dangerous, with pneumonia and dyspnea. This is the primary cause of death from influenza.
A large number of statistical results show that children younger than 5 years old are more likely to suffer from complications. However, babies younger than 2 years old are more likely to suffer from serious complications.
Influenza Needs Antiviral Treatment
The common cold generally does not require antiviral treatment, but influenza does.
Children under 2 years old are prone to influenza complications. When influenza is diagnosed or suspected, antiviral therapy should be started as soon as possible regardless of the underlying disease, immune status of influenza vaccine and degree of influenza condition. It is ideal to start treatment within 48 hours of onset.
However, with the change of time, influenza viruses are prone to drug resistance.
Since October 2015, drug resistance monitoring has shown that amantadine, rimantadine and other drugs have little effect on influenza a (H1N1) and A (H3N2) subtypes, while antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and panamivir are effective.
Therefore, in the face of this flu, don’t use amantadine, rimantadine and other drugs to fight the flu. Not only is it useless, it may also cause adverse reactions such as anxiety, inattention and headache.
No matter how good the treatment is, it cannot compare with prevention.
First of all, people in Hong Kong and those who have travel plans in Hong Kong in the near future should try their best to avoid going to crowded and unventilated places, and they should wear masks and other protective measures in crowded public places as appropriate.
If you feel that you have symptoms of suspected flu, please try to reduce going out. In case of fever, fatigue and other aforementioned symptoms, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.
In addition, to prevent influenza, we can also do the following:
1. Influenza vaccination
This is the most effective prevention method. The protection starts 2-4 weeks after vaccination, and gradually decreases after 6-8 months. Therefore, the vaccine needs to be vaccinated every year to obtain effective protection.
Usually, babies over 6 months old can start to be vaccinated with influenza vaccine. When children under 8 years old are vaccinated for the first time, the protection effect of 2 doses (the interval between 2 doses should be ≥ 4 weeks) is better than that of 1 dose.
Step 2 Take anti-flu drugs
Drug prevention cannot replace vaccination, but can only be used as a temporary preventive measure that has not been vaccinated or has not acquired immunity after vaccination. The course of treatment is generally 1-2 weeks.
STEP 3 Pay Attention to the Details of Life
- Wash hands frequently, use soap or hand sanitizer and use flowing water. Do not wipe your hands with dirty towels. Wash your hands immediately after touching respiratory secretions (e.g. After sneezing). Cover your nose and mouth with handkerchiefs or paper towels when sneezing or coughing to prevent droplets from infecting others. Family members of influenza wear masks at home or when going out to avoid infecting others. During periods of high incidence of influenza, try not to go to crowded places with dirty air. When you have to go, you’d better wear a mask. Eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, rest adequately, and avoid excessive fatigue. Pay attention to opening windows for ventilation to keep indoor air fresh.