Academicians and experts gather in Guangzhou to popularize influenza science: seize the golden 48 hours and pay attention to vaccination

China News Service, Guangzhou, November 2 (Reporter Cai Minjie) In autumn and winter, influenza is common. How to distinguish influenza from the common cold? How important is it to get the flu shot? November 1st is World Influenza Day. At the 2026 World Influenza Day science popularization event held at the Guangzhou Laboratory, many experts offered advice on influenza prevention and control.

This event was co-sponsored by the Guangzhou Laboratory Science and Technology Association, the National Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, the Guangzhou Respiratory Health Research Institute, and the Guangdong Respiratory and Health Society.

"The most common pitfall for ordinary people is to treat influenza as a cold." Li Tong, a professor at Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, once gave a popular science share, analyzing the essential differences between influenza and common colds, emphasizing the key significance of grasping the "golden 48 hours" of antiviral treatment, and advocating that the public keep in mind the scientific treatment principles of "early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment."

"Vaccination can prepare the immune system for defense in advance and respond more quickly when exposed to the virus, thereby reducing the risk of severe illness and death." Gao Fu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the dominant strains and antigenic properties of circulating influenza viruses will change every year, and the ingredients of influenza vaccines will be updated accordingly every year. The elderly, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, medical personnel, and children are the key groups for influenza vaccination.

A new book release ceremony for "World Influenza Day: Academician Dialogue" was held at the event site. Gao Fu sent his message to the publication of the book and the development of respiratory health science popularization. He encouraged scientific researchers and medical workers to closely integrate scientific and technological innovation, scientific popularization and transformation of results, spread health concepts in an authoritative and vivid way, and make science benefit thousands of households.

"Scientific understanding is the first line of defense for influenza prevention and control." Zhong Weiyue, vice chairman of the Guangzhou Laboratory Science and Technology Association, proposed that this event takes into account popular science dissemination and academic exchanges, promotes the transformation of professional medical knowledge into health plans close to the masses, and promotes the concept of scientific protection into daily life.

An influenza science popularization carnival was set up simultaneously with the event, with interactive science popularization booths, fun check-in games and an influenza reading corner, allowing citizens to master influenza identification and daily protection skills through interactive practice.

On the same day, the event entered a professional academic discussion session. Well-known experts at home and abroad conducted reports, discussions and exchanges on cutting-edge topics such as the prevention and treatment of human infection with avian influenza, new generation molecular diagnostic technology, and broad-spectrum vaccine development, and jointly explored new paths for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases.