In the autumn-winter period, there is an annual increase in the incidence of acute respiratory infections. As a rule, the symptoms of many respiratory infections are similar: a runny nose, sneezing, fever, chills, aching joints, and possibly a cough. The spread of respiratory viruses often occurs from infected people to healthy ones through coughing and sneezing. Influenza is the most dangerous of all respiratory infections.
Influenza can cause exacerbation of existing chronic diseases. In addition, influenza has an extensive list of possible complications: pulmonary complications (pneumonia, bronchitis), pneumonia is the cause of most deaths from influenza; complications of the upper respiratory tract and ENT organs (otitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, tracheitis); cardiovascular system complications (myocarditis, pericarditis); nervous system complications (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, neuralgia, polyradiculoneuritis).
To avoid possible complications, it is important to carry out timely prevention and correctly treat the disease itself.
At the first symptoms, the patient should stay at home, not only to avoid infecting others but also to start treatment promptly, for which it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.
For proper treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and take medications on time. When coughing and sneezing, the patient should cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue. Contact with a person with influenza should be minimized, and a medical mask should be used when caring for them. The room where the patient is located should be regularly ventilated, and wet cleaning should be carried out as often as possible, preferably with disinfectants.
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the most effective measure against influenza is vaccination, as it is the vaccine that provides protection against those types of influenza virus that are most relevant in the current epidemiological season and are included in its composition.
By getting vaccinated against influenza, you protect your body from the attack of the most dangerous viruses – influenza viruses, but there are still over 200 other types of viruses that are less dangerous to humans, but can also cause acute respiratory infections. Therefore, during the period of epidemic increase in ARVI and influenza incidence, it is recommended to take non-specific preventive measures:
minimise your time spent in crowded places and public transport;
wear a mask in crowded places;
avoid close contact with people who show signs of illness, such as sneezing or coughing;
wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap, especially after being outdoors and on public transport;
rinse your nasal cavity, especially after being outdoors and on public transport;
regularly perform wet cleaning and ventilate the room you are in;
eat as many foods as possible containing vitamin C (cranberries, lingonberries, lemon, etc.).
lead a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, work and rest regimes contribute to strengthening immunity.
Epidemiologist of Lepel District Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology Natalia Pobortseva