Prevention of Influenza
The influenza virus is mainly transmitted through the air and contact. The primary entry point for both transmission routes is the nasal cavity. The influenza virus enters the nasal cavity when it comes into contact with the nose through the air or contaminated objects and hands.
Under normal circumstances, the nasal cavity itself has a certain ability to expel toxins, which can promptly clear away the influenza virus. However, when inducing factors are present, such as catching a chill, getting soaked in the rain, or excessive fatigue, the nasal cavity's ability to expel toxins is weakened. The influenza virus then remains in the nasal cavity for a prolonged period, multiplies in large numbers, and invades the body, leading to an influenza infection.
Nasal irrigation can help the body expel the influenza virus from the nasal cavity when inducing factors are present, thereby significantly reducing the chance of infection.
Measures
1. Soaking Feet in Hot Water, Always Good
In the battle against cold viruses in winter, we can also choose a very comfortable method: soaking our feet. The feet contain meridians that connect to all parts of the body and are considered the body's "second heart." Therefore, when the feet are warm, the body naturally warms up. When soaking your feet, you should use relatively hot water (Note: Diabetics must avoid using water that is too hot, as it may aggravate their condition). Soak for 15-20 minutes. If possible, it is best to massage your feet during the soak to further promote blood circulation and prevent colds.
2. Massage to Stay Healthy
In addition to the points mentioned above for preventing colds in winter, we can also use some external therapies, and massage is a good choice. The massage referred to here is not a professional one, but rather rubbing the palms of both hands together until they are warm, and then massaging some susceptible parts of the body, such as both sides of the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, the ears, etc. Through a period of massage, you can effectively prevent colds.
3. Protect Your Mouth and Nose, Benefiting Yourself and Others
Remember during the SARS outbreak in 2003, everyone wore a mask? It was an unwilling choice at the time, but in reality, wearing a clean and fresh mask in winter is a very good measure. Cold and flu viruses are mainly transmitted through droplets, which enter through the mouth and nose. Therefore, wearing a mask can effectively protect you from being invaded by viruses. At the same time, for people who have already caught a cold, wearing a mask not only prevents further stimulation by cold air but also prevents the spread of the virus to others, making it a win-win solution.
4. Saltwater Gargle, Your Protective Amulet
In the text above, we mentioned that cold germs enter the body through the mouth and nose. Therefore, we can gargle with light saltwater after returning home each day to clear a large number of germs from the mouth, which is a very effective preventive method. Of course, if you don't have saltwater, gargling with clean water can also protect you from invasion. Note: Tilt your head back, hold the gargle in your mouth, and let the saltwater fully rinse your throat for the best effect.
5. Boiling Coke with Ginger, Folk Remedies for Big Illnesses
It is said that folk remedies can cure big illnesses. What we are talking about here is neither a very strange remedy nor a big illness, but using very simple materials to prevent colds. You just need to put 20-30 grams of fresh, chopped ginger into a large bottle of Coca-Cola, boil it in a pot, and drink it while it's hot, and you're all set. It is said that this method is very effective in preventing and treating the flu. Of course, you have to try it yourself to see how effective it is.
However, you should not rely solely on folk remedies. In addition to the many methods for preventing colds mentioned above, there are some common sense points to remind everyone. Keeping warm in winter is a must and the primary measure for preventing colds.
6. Control and Treat the Source of Infection
Early detection, early reporting, early isolation, early treatment
Respiratory isolation for 1 week or until main symptoms disappear
7. Cut Off Transmission Routes
1. During an epidemic, avoid gatherings or group recreational activities. The elderly, young, sick, and disabled, who are susceptible, should stay away from public places. Pay attention to ventilation, and disinfect public places if necessary.
2. Medical staff should wear masks, wash their hands, and prevent cross-infection.
3. Patient's utensils and secretions must be thoroughly disinfected.
8. Vaccine Prevention
Inactivated vaccine: Relatively effective. The target population for vaccination is the elderly, children, patients with severe chronic diseases, individuals with low immunity, and those who may have close contact with patients. The vaccination time is from mid-October to mid-November each year, with one vaccination per year. Effective antibodies can be produced in 2 weeks. Contraindicated for the following cases: those allergic to eggs; patients with acute infectious diseases, mental illness, early pregnancy, and infants under 6 months old.
Live attenuated vaccine: Administered by nasal spray.
9. Drug Prevention
For susceptible individuals who may be infected but have not yet developed the illness: Amantadine 100mg/orally, twice a day, for 10-14 days. It has a certain preventive effect against influenza A but is ineffective against influenza B.
Several common small measures for preventing influenza:
1. Frequently open windows for ventilation indoors to keep the air fresh.
2. Avoid crowded public places to prevent infection with the influenza virus.
3. Increase outdoor physical exercise to improve the body's resistance to disease.
4. In autumn and winter, the weather is changeable, so pay attention to adding or removing clothing.
5. Drink plenty of water and eat light food.
6. Get a flu vaccine.
10. Moxa Stick Fumigation for Prevention
Inserting wormwood during the Dragon Boat Festival is a custom passed down from ancient times. The unique aroma produced by wormwood can repel mosquitoes, flies, insects, and ants, and purify the air. Using 1-5 grams of mugwort leaves per square meter for fumigation for 10-30 minutes has varying killing and inhibitory effects on various skin fungi, rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and measles viruses. During the flu season, fumigating furniture with mugwort leaves once or twice a week can significantly reduce the number of common pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of various respiratory infectious diseases.
Comprehensive Prevention
Nasal Irrigation + Hand Washing
Nasal Irrigation Method: Mix clean warm water with high-quality non-iodized salt to a concentration of 0.9%. Typically, use 4.5 grams of salt per 500 ml of warm water. Pour it into a dedicated nasal irrigation device, such as a neti pot, and flush each nostril until the nasal cavity is clear of foreign matter. This method can be repeated several times to keep the nasal cavity from having excessive secretions.
Hand Washing Method: Apply regular soap or antibacterial soap and scrub all parts of the hands. Then rinse the hands thoroughly with running, non-recycled water.