The national influenza outbreak, what is the flu?

The flu is a common seasonal infectious disease and has received particular attention this winter. Many people feel that the number of people getting the flu is more than in previous years. Then the flu is a matter of fact. What is the prevalence of the flu? Is it necessary to take medicine if you have a cold? How should we scientifically prevent and treat the flu?

The national influenza outbreak, what is the flu?

Flu and cold
The flu, also known as influenza, is an acute respiratory infection caused by the flu virus. The common cold is a common respiratory disease caused by a variety of viruses, of which 30%-50% are caused by a certain type of serotype of rhinovirus. Whether the flu or the common cold is a type of cold, a cold is a self-healing disease.


In essence, the cold is the result of the balance between the body's immunity and the virus that causes the cold. If the immunity is strong enough, we can “defend the enemy outside the country”, and the virus will invade, causing a cold. Therefore, the fundamental way to cure the cold is to improve your own immunity.

When you think you have a cold, think twice before eating cold medicine.
Although cold medicines can make you feel more comfortable, they can make the virus even more awkward. Because many viruses are difficult to replicate at higher than normal body temperature (above 37 °C), fever is considered an antiviral weapon. David Earn of McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, believes that some studies have shown that lowering body temperature may prolong viral infection time and increase the number of viruses transmitted to others.

Although many antibiotics on the market are labeled as treating colds, in fact, antibiotics that only show antibacterial effects are not effective in treating colds caused by viruses. In other words, the treatment of colds depends on people's ability to heal themselves. However, secondary respiratory bacterial infections caused by colds are still necessary to be treated with antibiotics.

Why does the flu virus “like” the cold winter climate and “hate” the hot summer climate?
For the seasonal characteristics of influenza viruses, some people have given various explanations, such as people staying indoors more often in winter; less sunshine weakens people's immune system, etc., but they are not obtained because of lack of persuasiveness. accepted.


The activity of the influenza virus is indeed related to temperature. Between 5 °C and 20 °C, the influenza virus spreads more easily, and it is difficult to spread above 30 °C. In fact, the viability of influenza viruses depends both on temperature and on humidity. When the relative humidity is as low as 20%-30%, the influenza virus can spread rapidly, and when it is close to 80%, it can prevent its spread. (For example, when someone finds a relative humidity of 23% or less, up to 70%-77% of the virus particles remain infectious; when the relative humidity rises to about 43%, only 14% of the virus particles can be infected. cell.)

The outbreak of the flu is related to sunspot activity
It has long been found that in the year of the sunspot, the solar activity is weakened, and the ultraviolet rays radiated are also weakened, which is beneficial to the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and viruses (recurrence of old viruses); in the sunspot peak year, solar activity is enhanced, radiation The increase in ultraviolet light is beneficial to genetic variation of microorganisms and viruses (new virus production).

This is why the flu pandemic must have occurred in the extreme years of sunspots. Because the influenza pandemic that occurred during the sunspot peak year is caused by viral gene mutations, the intensity is high and the damage is heavy. The influenza pandemic in the Sunspot Valley year is caused by the recurrence of the old virus, so the intensity is small and the damage is light.

Not only that, but scientists also found that in addition to sunspot activity, the world's influenza outbreaks are related to the following five major climate characteristics: in the La Madre cold phase and its borders; the previous year or the first two years were medium-intensity La Niña years; In the 1950s and 1970s, it was also a strong sandstorm in China; the year before or during the year was the cold summer year in northeast China (the 50th and 70th century were both severe cold and cold years); the current year or the previous year was the medium intensity of El Niño. year.

How to prevent and treat influenza correctly and scientifically?
Influenza vaccination is the most effective means of preventing influenza and can significantly reduce the risk of flu outbreaks and serious complications.

In order to reduce the risk of morbidity, serious illness and death in special populations, it is recommended that influenza, high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, chronically ill patients and medical personnel be vaccinated. Family members and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age, pregnant women and chronically ill patients are also Influenza vaccination should be considered.

Neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir are effective treatments for influenza. Early use of anti-influenza drugs within 48 hours of onset can significantly reduce the incidence of severe influenza and death. Antiviral drugs should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

"Hand washing" is the best preventive measure

Of course, for ordinary people, the best way to treat a cold is to rest well and actively replenish energy (warm clothes, hot feet, electric blankets to warm up, increase body temperature, drink plenty of water, drink more brown sugar, honey, water, more Diets increase vitamin C and other nutrients).