Hygiene for influenza, coronavirus infection and other acute respiratory infections

What should I do during the period of active circulation of influenza pathogens, coronavirus infection and other pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in order to prevent my own infection and protect others if you get sick?

The causative agents of all these diseases are highly contagious and are transmitted mainly by airborne droplets.

When sneezing and coughing in the air around a sick person, microdrops of his saliva, sputum and respiratory secretions that contain viruses spread. Larger droplets settle on surrounding objects and surfaces, smaller ones stay in the air for a long time and are transported to distances of up to several hundred meters, while viruses retain the ability to infect from several hours to several days. The main measures of hygienic prevention are aimed at preventing healthy people from coming into contact with virus-containing particles of a sick person's secretions.

For whom is the most dangerous encounter with the virus?

Children and the elderly are particularly hard to tolerate the infection, for these age groups, complications that can develop during the disease are very dangerous. Children are more seriously ill due to the fact that their immune system has not yet encountered this virus, and for the elderly, as well as for people with chronic diseases, the virus is dangerous because of a weakened immune system.

Risk groups

• Children
• People over 60 years old
• People with chronic lung diseases (bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• People with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system (congenital heart defects, coronary heart disease, heart failure)
• Pregnant women
• Medical workers
• Employees of public transport, catering enterprises

How does infection occur?

The infection is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one through the smallest droplets of saliva or mucus that are released during sneezing, coughing and talking. Contact transmission is also possible.

Symptoms

• Depending on the specific type of pathogen, symptoms can vary significantly, both in severity and in combination options.
• Temperature rise
• Chills, general malaise, weakness headache, muscle pain
• Decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting are possible
• Conjunctivitis (possible)
• Diarrhea (possible)

On average, the disease lasts about 5 days. If the temperature lasts longer, complications may have arisen.

Complications

• Pneumonia
• Encephalitis, meningitis
• Pregnancy complications, development of fetal pathology
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases

The treatment of the disease is carried out under the supervision of a doctor, who only after examining the patient prescribes a treatment regimen and gives other recommendations. The patient must observe bed rest, eat well and drink more fluids.

Antibiotics

Taking antibiotics in the first days of the disease is a big mistake. Antibiotics are not able to cope with the virus, in addition, they adversely affect the normal microflora. Antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor, only in case of complications caused by the addition of a bacterial infection. Taking antibacterial drugs as a prevention of complications is dangerous and useless.

A sick person should stay at home and not pose a threat of infection to others.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent influenza is annual vaccination. The composition of the flu vaccine changes annually. First of all, it is recommended to vaccinate those who are at risk. The optimal time for vaccination is October-November. Vaccination of children against influenza is possible starting from the age of 6 months.

Vaccines against most pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections have not been developed.

Universal preventive measures

Compliance with the following hygiene rules will significantly reduce the risk of infection or further spread of influenza, coronavirus infection and other acute respiratory infections.

How not to get infected

• Wash your hands after visiting any public places, transport, touching door handles, money, office equipment for public use in the workplace, before eating and cooking. Pay special attention to thorough soaping (at least 20 seconds), and the subsequent complete drying of the hands.
• After returning home from the street - wash your hands and face with soap, rinse your nose with isotonic salt solution.
• To touch the face, eyes-only with recently washed hands. If there is no access to water and soap, use alcohol-based disinfectants to clean your hands.Or use a disposable napkin, if necessary, touching the eyes or nose
• Wear a disposable medical mask in crowded places and transport. It is necessary to change the mask to a new one every 2-3 hours, you cannot reuse the mask.
• Give preference to smooth hairstyles when you are in crowded places, loose hair, often in contact with the face, increases the risk of infection.
• Avoid close contact and staying in the same room with people who have visible signs of ARVI (cough, sneezing, nasal discharge).
• Do not touch door handles, railings, other objects and surfaces in public spaces with your bare hands.
• Limit greeting handshakes, kisses and hugs.
• Ventilate the premises more often.
• Do not use shared towels.

How not to infect others

• Minimize contacts with healthy people (greeting handshakes, kisses).
• If you feel unwell, but are forced to communicate with other people or use public transport - use a disposable mask, be sure to change it to a new one every hour.
• When coughing or sneezing, it is necessary to cover your mouth, if possible - with a disposable handkerchief, if there is none - with your palms or elbow bend.
• Use only personal or disposable tableware.
• Isolate your personal hygiene items from the household: a toothbrush, a washcloth, towels.
• Carry out wet cleaning of the house daily, including the processing of door handles, switches, control panels of office equipment.

At the first signs of a viral infection, consult a doctor!

Memo: Prevention of influenza and coronavirus infection