As the COVID-19 outbreak made wearing masks mandatory for the past three years, now that it’s not mandatory anymore, daily life is gradually returning to normal. While people are relieved from the uncomfortable masks, there’s increasing concern about a resurgence of various infectious diseases. In fact, the number of cold patients this year is significantly higher than last year, making hospitals overwhelmingly busy. So, how can one avoid getting exposed to these cold viruses?
ENT Clinics Seeing a Surge
With the removal of mandatory mask-wearing, the cold virus, which spreads through droplets, is easily becoming epidemic. The cold virus varies widely in type, and symptoms can be manifold. Doctors say that because there’s no effective vaccine or appropriate treatment, caution is necessary. Nowadays, colds are spreading from children to the elderly, causing local clinics to be so overwhelmed they are on “open runs.”
Colds Coming Right After Masks Are Off
Symptoms of the common cold, like fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and headaches, typically improve within a week. Experts emphasize the importance of washing hands before and after going out and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Why Colds Last Longer These Days
According to the “Infectious Diseases Portal,” the number of patients admitted due to viral acute respiratory infections and influenza this spring without wearing masks has increased by over 13 times compared to last year. This year’s cold symptoms tend to last longer, or people get re-infected multiple times in a short duration. The sequential infections with virus types A, B, and C explain this.
What About the Influenza Virus?
Apart from the common cold, one can also catch the flu caused by the influenza virus. The difference between the flu and a regular cold is that the flu has more pronounced systemic symptoms like fever, muscle pain, and headaches.
Painful Lung Disease Patients
One should also be cautious about pneumonia, an inflammation in the lung tissues caused by bacteria or viruses. While healthy individuals rarely contract pneumonia, it’s common in seniors over 65, smokers, alcohol addicts, respiratory patients like those with asthma, and patients with chronic diseases like diabetes. Unlike the common cold, pneumonia takes longer to treat and can lead to complications.
Elderly Should Be Wary of Pneumonia
Unlike colds, if pneumonia persists for more than 2-3 days, symptoms like fever over 38℃, cough, and thick yellow purulent phlegm can appear. In severe cases, chest pain and difficulty in breathing can occur. For elderly patients, loss of appetite and fatigue can be more prominent than fever and respiratory symptoms.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water frequently can prevent harmful germs and bacteria from entering the mouth and respiratory system. When the respiratory mucosa is moist, the movement of the cilia becomes more active. These cilia are the first line of defense, removing harmful substances attached to the mucosa.
Need for Certain Sleep Duration Every Day
Sleeping more than 7 hours boosts the immune system. During sleep, our body rejuvenates its immune system. Adequate sleep enhances the combat power of T-cells, which remove virus-infected cells and increase the secretion of cytokines, proteins that regulate immune responses.
Boost Immunity with Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which boosts immunity, is synthesized when exposed to sunlight. At least 20 minutes of sunlight exposure is recommended daily. Studies have shown that when the blood concentration of vitamin D is lower than the normal range, the risk of exposure to diseases like the flu increases by over 40%.
Lymph Node Massage Also Helps
The lymphatic system, responsible for immunity, consists of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Lymph nodes produce lymphocytes that fight pathogens; when pathogens invade, lymphocytes are secreted to protect the body. Thus, massaging the lymph nodes regularly aids in forming a robust immune system.
By. Jeon Sin-young (press@daily.co.kr)
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