How to prevent influenza A virus? 5 high-risk groups need to be vigilant!

Influenza A virus is a highly contagious and extremely harmful malignant virus. People are very afraid of it. Once infected, it will directly endanger life safety. In fact, the influenza A virus is not far away from us. Pregnant women, people with chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc., obese people, the elderly and children need to pay special attention.

1. What is influenza A (H1NI)?

Influenza A is a type of influenza. The influenza A virus is most likely to mutate and is the most terrifying of the three influenza types.

Influenza A (H1N1) is an acute respiratory infectious disease. Its pathogen is a new type of influenza A (H1N1) virus that spreads among the population. It is mainly transmitted through droplets through the respiratory tract, and can also be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, eyes, etc. Contact with patients' respiratory secretions, body fluids and objects contaminated with the virus may also cause infection. Unlike previous or current seasonal influenza viruses, this strain contains genetic fragments from three influenza viruses: swine flu, avian flu and human flu. The general population is susceptible to the influenza A (H1N1) virus, and it can be transmitted from person to person. The early symptoms of influenza A infection are similar to those of common flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also experience diarrhea or vomiting, muscle pain or fatigue, and red eyes.

2. How to identify influenza A (H1N1)?

The incubation period of influenza A (H1N1) is longer than that of influenza and avian influenza, lasting 1 to 7 days, but usually 1 to 3 days. The condition of some patients can progress rapidly, with severe onset, sudden high fever, body temperature exceeding 38°C, and even secondary severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage, pleural effusion, systemic hematocytopenia, renal failure, sepsis, shock, Reye's syndrome, respiratory failure and multiple organ damage, leading to death. The patient's existing underlying disease may also worsen.

It usually presents with flu-like symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sputum, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Some cases experienced vomiting and diarrhea. A few cases only had mild upper respiratory tract symptoms without fever. Signs mainly include pharyngeal congestion and swollen tonsils.

3. Five high-risk groups need to be particularly vigilant!

1. Pregnant women

2. Those with the following diseases or conditions: chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases (except hypertension), kidney diseases, liver diseases, blood system diseases, nervous system and neuromuscular diseases, metabolic and endocrine system diseases, immunosuppression (including immunosuppressive effects caused by the use of immunosuppressants or HIV infection), and those under 19 years of age who take aspirin for a long time.

3. Obese people with a body mass index ≥ 40 are at high risk, and a body mass index between 30 and 39 may be a high-risk factor.

4. Children under 5 years old and those under 2 years old are more likely to develop serious complications.

5. Elderly people aged ≥ 65 years

4. How to treat infection with influenza A (H1N1)?

The treatment principles for influenza A and influenza B are basically the same.

1. Rest, drink plenty of water, pay attention to nutrition, and eat easily digestible food, especially for children and elderly patients.

2. Do not use antibiotics indiscriminately. Use symptomatic treatment drugs, such as antipyretics, drugs to relieve nasal mucosal congestion, and antitussive and expectorant drugs.

3. Children should not use aspirin or medicines containing aspirin, so if they are sick, they should seek medical attention in time and take medicine under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Early use of anti-influenza virus drugs (within 1 to 2 days of onset) can usually effectively improve symptoms. Amantadine and rimantadine are only effective against influenza A virus, inhibiting its replication in cells, alleviating fever and systemic symptoms, reducing viral excretion, and preventing viral spread; oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective in the treatment and prevention of both influenza A and B. However, the selection and dosage of the two types of drugs also require the guidance of a doctor.