In our daily life, we often encounter various infectious diseases, which may bring discomfort to our body and affect the quality of life. Understanding the identification methods and prevention measures of common infectious diseases is essential to protect the health of ourselves and our families.
Respiratory tract infection
(1) Common cold
Common cold is one of the most common respiratory tract infections. It is usually caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus and other viruses. Its symptoms are generally mild, starting with dry throat, itchy throat or burning sensation, followed by sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and other nasal symptoms, but also accompanied by tears, taste loss, poor breathing, hoarseness and so on. Generally, there are no fever and systemic symptoms, or only low fever, discomfort, mild chills, headache and so on.
The main point of
recognition is its relatively mild symptoms, especially the prominent nasal symptoms. In terms of prevention and treatment, colds are mostly self-limited and generally self-healing in about a week. During this period, we should pay attention to rest, drink more water and maintain indoor air circulation. If the symptoms are severe, drugs to relieve nasal congestion or compound cold medicines for symptomatic treatment can be used, but the abuse of antibiotics should be avoided, because antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
(2) Influenza
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus. Although some symptoms of influenza are similar to those of common cold, they are often more serious. Patients often have high fever, body temperature can reach 39 ℃ -40 ℃, accompanied by chills, chills, headache, muscle soreness, fatigue, loss of appetite and other systemic symptoms, but also cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion and other respiratory symptoms.
To
recognize influenza, we should pay attention to its sudden onset of high fever and systemic symptoms. The most effective way to prevent influenza is to vaccinate against influenza every year, especially for the elderly, children, pregnant women and other high-risk groups. During the influenza season, try to avoid going to crowded places. Once infected, anti-influenza drugs should be used as soon as possible, especially within 24-48 hours after morbidity, while paying attention to rest and quarantine to avoid infecting others.
(III) Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma and other pathogens. Common symptoms include fever, cough, expectoration, sputum can be white mucus sputum, yellow purulent sputum, may also be accompanied by chest pain, expiratory dyspnoea and so on. Pneumonia symptoms caused by different pathogens may be different, for example, mycoplasma pneumonia is mainly dry cough, fever can last for 2-3 weeks.
For the identification of pneumonia, if cough, fever and other symptoms persist, or accompanied by expiratory dyspnoea and other manifestations, we should be alert to the possibility of pneumonia and seek medical treatment in time. To prevent pneumonia, we should pay attention to maintaining good living habits and enhancing immunity. For the elderly, children, people with chronic diseases and other high-risk groups, we can vaccinate against pneumonia. Appropriate anti-infective drugs should be selected according to the type of pathogens, and symptomatic and supportive treatment such as cough relief, phlegm reduction and oxygen inhalation should be carried out.
2. Digestive tract infection
(1) Bacillary dysentery
Bacillary dysentery is an intestinal infectious disease caused by dysentery bacilli. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, tenesmus (frequent desire to defecate but small amount of defecation each time) and mucopurulent bloody stool, accompanied by fever and systemic toxic blood symptoms, severe cases may appear septic shock and (or) toxic encephalopathy.
The key to
identify bacillary dysentery is to observe the characteristics of feces. If mucopurulent and bloody stool occurs, combined with abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms, the possibility of the disease should be considered. In terms of prevention, we should pay attention to dietary hygiene, do not eat raw and cold food, and develop the habit of washing hands before and after meals. Treatment is mainly the use of antibiotics, while attention should be paid to the supplement of water and electrolytes to avoid dehydration.
(2) Viral gastroenteritis
Common gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus and norovirus. The main manifestations are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drainage or loose stool, accompanied by fever, headache, fatigue and other symptoms. Rotavirus infection is more common in children and often causes diarrhea in infants and young children, while norovirus infection can cause outbreaks in schools, kindergartens and other collective places.
Viral gastroenteritis can be identified by gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as the characteristics of collective morbidity. Prevention should pay attention to drinking water hygiene and clean and disinfect public places and food. Treatment is mainly symptomatic treatment, supplement of water and electrolytes, generally within a few days can be self-healing.
3. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections include urethritis, cystitis, and pyelonephritis. The main symptoms are frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, that is, bladder irritation, accompanied by suprapubic discomfort, hematuria and so on. Pyelonephritis in addition to the above urinary tract irritation signs, but also fever, chills, low back pain and other systemic symptoms.
Women are more prone to urinary tract infections because of their short and straight urethra. Urinary tract infection can be identified according to typical symptoms such as urinary tract irritation. In prevention, we should pay attention to personal hygiene, especially women should keep the vulva clean, drink more water, urinate frequently, and avoid holding back urine. Appropriate antibiotics should be selected according to pathogens. Generally, patients with mild symptoms can take oral drugs, and those with severe symptoms may need intravenous medication in hospital.
4. Skin infection
(1) Furuncle and carbuncle
Furuncle is an acute bacterial suppurative inflammation of a single hair follicle and its surrounding tissues. At the beginning, it is a follicular inflammatory papule with obvious basal infiltration. Later, the inflammation expands to the periphery, forming hard nodules, accompanied by swelling, heat and pain. Carbuncle is an acute bacterial suppurative inflammation of multiple adjacent hair follicles and their surrounding tissues, which can also be formed by the fusion of multiple furuncles, with a large range of lesions and severe pain.
The
identification of furuncles and carbuncles depends on whether there are red, swollen, hot and painful nodules or more extensive inflammatory manifestations on the skin. Prevention should pay attention to keeping the skin clean and avoiding damage. In the early stage of treatment, antibiotics can be used externally, and if suppuration has occurred, incision and drainage can be used.
(2) Impetigo
Impetigo is an acute suppurative skin disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus and (or) beta hemolytic streptococcus. The main manifestation is pustules on the skin, which are easy to ulcerate and erode, with honey yellow scab, accompanied by itching.
The
identification of impetigo can be judged from the appearance of skin pustules and crusts. Prevention should pay attention to personal hygiene and environmental hygiene, and avoid close contact with patients. Antibiotic ointment can be used externally for treatment, and antibiotics can be taken orally for severe cases.
In a word, for common infectious diseases, we should be vigilant, identify and early treatment early, pay attention to prevention, develop good living habits and enhance self-immunity, so as to better protect our health.
