Methods to prevent lung infections
Lung infections are a common and potentially life-threatening type of disease, especially among older persons, children and people with low immunity. Effective preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of lung infections.
I. Development of living habits
Hand-washing: Hands are the main medium for the transmission of bacteria, and the surfaces of daily contact are covered with bacteria and viruses of all kinds. The practice of hand-washing is followed by a careful hand-washing of hands with soap or hand-washing fluid, “seven-step shampoo”, after taking place before meals, outside the home, after contact with public goods, to ensure that the heart, back, stitches, nails, etc., are kept clean for a period of not less than 20 seconds each time, effectively preventing the break of the fungi from entering the respiratory tract through hand contact and causing lung infections.
2. Maintenance of oral hygiene: mouth is a hotbed for bacteria, and failure to focus on mouth cleaning causes bacteria to reproduce and swallow into the lungs. At least twice a day, each face of the tooth is brushed, using a soft-haired toothbrush, in accordance with the barber-brushing method; the tooth wires should also be used regularly to clean up the teeth and remove food residues. For older persons wearing dentures, the dentures are removed every night for cleaning, immersion and hygiene, to reduce bacterial growth and to reduce lung infection.
II. Enhanced respiratory protection
Scientific coughing and coughing: When you feel your throat is stinging, do not force it down, and learn the correct coughing method. Hold your breath for three seconds after deep inhalation, then press your abdomen and cough out your sip. If the sluice is not coughy, it can drink more hot water, 1,500 – 2000 ml per day, diluting the sluice; and under the guidance of a doctor, it can be used rationally, e.g., acupuncture, so as to make it easier to excrete, prevent the accumulation of the sluice in the lungs, breed bacteria and cause infection.
Avoid inhalation of harmful gases: Fuzzy, sandy and dusty weather minimizes outbound and, if necessary, wear a professional protective mask, such as N95, which effectively filters the fine particles in the air, prevents inhalation of the lung, stimulates respiratory mucous membranes, and undermines lung defence mechanisms. In daily life, far from the second-hand smoke environment, the presence of large quantities of harmful substances such as nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide in second-hand smoke can reduce the ability of the lungs to protect themselves and increase the risk of infection; at the same time, exposure to toxic gases such as formaldehyde, benzene and so forth is avoided, and the newly renovated house is fully ventilated until air quality is achieved.
III. Increased immunity of the organism
1. A balanced diet: to ensure the diversification of food and the ingestion of protein-rich foods, such as skinny meat, fish, beans, eggs, etc. The protein is an important component of the body ‘ s immune cells, antibodies, etc. A sufficient supply of proteins sustains the normal functioning of the immune system; and a combination of rich vegetables and fruits, including vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carrotin, which enhances immunocellular activity and improves the body ‘ s resistance to infection. For example, one orange vitamin C per day, two to three fish per week to obtain high-quality proteins, and a balanced diet to underpin lung health.
2. Regular Zero and Motivation: The quality of sleep is guaranteed on a daily basis for 7 – 8 hours, and night sleep is a golden period of body repair and enhanced immune system, in order to maintain the immune balance. At least 150 low-intensity aerobics per week, such as walking, jogging and swimming, can promote blood circulation, enhance CPR functions and make the lung more resistant to disease. Physical distribution of substances such as endorphine during exercise also helps to regulate the immune system and improve overall immunity.
IV. Optimizing the living environment
1. Indoor ventilation: A regular daily window ventilation of at least 2 – 3 times, 30 minutes each, to replace fresh air with indoor polluted air, dilute potential bacterial concentrations and reduce the risk of infection. Especially when heating is used in winter and air conditioning is used in summer, it is even less important to ignore ventilation, otherwise the closed environment is prone to bacteria, fungus and threats to lung health.
2. Maintenance of appropriate temperature humidity: it is appropriate to maintain indoor temperature at 22 – 25°C, 40 – 60% humidity, which sustains normal physiology of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, avoids drying of the mucous membranes, cracks, and provides a suitable opportunity for bacteria to enter. This can be achieved by using wetteners, dehumidifiers and air conditioners. In a dry environment, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are susceptible to damage and can be properly used to increase humidity; wet over the high fungus and dehumidifiers can be used.
V. Attention to the protection of special populations
1. Older persons: With age, physical deterioration, weakened lungs and reduced immunity protection. Older people should be vaccinated against influenza, pneumonia and influenza before the annual flu season, and against pneumonia every approximately five years (according to specific vaccines) to reduce the risk of respiratory infections and secondary lung infections; in daily life, care should be taken to keep warm and to prevent cold from causing lung problems by adding and reducing clothing in a timely manner in the light of weather events.
2. Children: The immunization system for children is not yet complete, especially for infants and young children, and is extremely vulnerable to infection. Parents are required to provide their children with all types of planned immunization on time, which is a key defence against multiple infectious diseases and re-emergence of lung infections; to prevent overheating or overcooling on a daily basis, depending on the weather; and to reduce exposure to sources of infection during the epidemic season, by taking fewer children to densely populated places, such as malls and playgrounds.
The prevention of lung infection requires a comprehensive approach, combining good living habits, scientific protection, a healthy living environment and reasonable immunization protection, to protect lung health.
