2023-10-29 05:58:00
-If you get vaccinated, will you stop worrying about colds? No effect in preventing the common cold
-Cold, dry air spreads viruses, increases respiratory diseases
As fall deepened, the weather became quite chilly in the mornings and evenings. During these seasonal changes, you need to be careful of respiratory diseases such as colds and flu. First, cold, dry air is conducive to the spread of viruses, and viruses easily invade the dried nasal mucosa, causing upper respiratory tract inflammation. Patients with chronic lung disease, whose ability to breathe is weaker than that of normal people, experience worsening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and expectoration, and respiratory infections can lead to fatal outcomes such as sudden difficulty breathing and respiratory failure, so special caution is required. .
Professor Jeon Da-som of the Department of Respiratory Allergy at Nowon Eulji University Hospital said, “Flu vaccination is not effective in preventing all other respiratory infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses,” and added, “It prevents influenza virus infection, which has a higher risk of progressing to pneumonia. “It is the purpose,” he explained.
Full-scale flu (influenza) vaccination began in October. Children (6 months to 12 years old) and the elderly (65 years old or older) with weak immune systems can receive the trivalent vaccine free of charge from the government. In Korea, the flu is mainly prevalent from winter to early spring, and the symptoms are more severe than the common cold and cause fever, body pain, muscle pain, headache, and inflammation of the upper or lower respiratory tract. Compared to the common cold, complications such as pneumonia are more common, so it is safe to get flu vaccination for children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases who have weak resistance. Because immunity from the flu vaccine develops about two weeks after vaccination, it is best to get vaccinated by November at the latest.
There is sometimes a misconception that getting the flu vaccine also prevents colds. Since the causative virus itself is different, getting a flu vaccination does not prevent colds.
A cold is caused by one type of virus alone or a combination of two or more types of viruses. The main symptoms are runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, mild fever, headache, and muscle pain. Symptomatic treatment is provided as needed, and most cases heal on their own.
On the other hand, the flu is caused by influenza viruses and is classified into types A, B, and C, of which types A and B cause influenza in humans. Using antiviral medication within 48 hours after flu symptoms occur can help relieve symptoms. When a healthy person catches the flu, the condition usually improves after 3 to 5 days, and most recover completely after 1 to 2 weeks or more.
Professor Jeon Da-som of the Department of Respiratory Allergy at Nowon Eulji University Hospital said, “Changes in lifestyle habits also affect respiratory infections. It is important to improve immunity and exercise ability to prevent the disease from worsening. For example, moderate exercise such as walking or biking will be helpful, and to improve immune function, it is advisable to make small changes in your life, such as eating a diet centered on fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, low sugar, low salt, and low fat, and quitting smoking and drinking. “It’s good,” he advised.
Sports Donga Reporter Kim Jae-beom [email protected] See more articles by this reporter
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