The National Day holiday is approaching, and the movement and gathering of people have increased significantly. The China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a reminder to remind the public to pay attention to health risks such as foodborne diseases, respiratory infections, and mosquito-borne infectious diseases when traveling during the holidays.
Be aware of health risks such as foodborne diseases and mosquito-borne infections
The food-borne disease norovirus gastroenteritis is mainly spread through contaminated food, contact with contaminated items, and the environment. Clustered epidemics often occur in travel groups, and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The main preventive measures include: keeping hands clean and hygienic, not drinking raw water, cooking food thoroughly, etc. With the increase in gatherings and eating out during the holidays, the risk of food poisoning also increases. It is recommended that everyone avoid eating food of unknown origin and not picking or eating unfamiliar wild mushrooms and wild plants.
The risk of respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza increases accordingly in crowded places such as stations and scenic spots during holidays. It is recommended that everyone cover their mouth and nose with tissues, towels or elbows when coughing or sneezing. People with respiratory symptoms are advised to wear masks in crowded places. People who are at high risk of severe illness after infection, such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, etc., are recommended to receive influenza vaccination.
After autumn, the number of mosquitoes decreases in some areas, but in areas south of the Huaihe River in the Qinling Mountains where temperatures are higher and rainfall is higher, mosquitoes are still more active. Mosquito repellent and extermination are the most important measures to prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya. It is recommended that everyone understand the prevalence of relevant diseases in the destination before traveling, prepare corresponding protective equipment in advance, try to wear light-colored long-sleeved pants when going out, and use qualified mosquito repellent products on exposed skin parts.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its Ebola virus disease prevention and control tips on the eve of the holidays: Persons coming (returning) to China from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the near future must conduct self-health monitoring for 21 days starting from the date of entry. If symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding occur, seek medical attention promptly. Before seeking medical treatment, please contact the local CDC or community health service center by phone and seek medical treatment under professional guidance. If you go to see a doctor on your own, try not to take public transportation, take personal protection, and avoid physical contact with others.
When people with chronic diseases travel, just bringing enough medicine is not enough
For middle-aged and elderly people suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, factors such as disordered work and rest during holidays, fatigue during travel, and greasy diet can easily cause fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar, and induce acute exacerbations and other infectious diseases. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other units released a health manual for middle-aged and elderly people traveling in autumn before the holidays, reminding everyone that in addition to bringing enough chronic disease medicines for usual travel during the holidays, they must also make these preparations.
Guo Xiaohui, Chief Physician of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University First Hospital: Before traveling, be aware of your situation and check your blood sugar and blood pressure in advance. For some people whose blood sugar is particularly unstable, it is best to bring a blood glucose meter. If you have a small blood pressure monitor, you can also bring it to monitor changes in blood pressure, especially when the amount of activity increases. Some diabetic patients have neuropathy and vascular disease, so the shoes must be comfortable, and socks should be worn instead of going barefoot, because bare feet can easily abrade the feet. Many diabetic feet are discovered from a small abrasion wound.
The biggest health hazard during holiday travel is unauthorized medication discontinuation, medication leakage, and medication changes, which can easily lead to the recurrence of chronic diseases and the onset of emergencies. Experts have made it clear that medications for chronic diseases such as hypertension, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anticoagulation, and asthma cannot be interrupted, reduced, or replaced on your own. Patients with coronary heart disease must carry emergency medicines such as nitroglycerin with them, and patients with diabetes always have candies and biscuits in case of hypoglycemia.
During the National Day, the temperature difference between day and night increases, and the climate difference between north and south is obvious. Fluctuating temperatures can easily stimulate vasoconstriction and induce diseases. It is recommended to prepare clothes in advance according to the weather of the destination, follow the "onion dressing" principle, and focus on protecting the head, neck, waist, abdomen, and joints to prevent coughing and blood pressure fluctuations caused by cold.
Guo Xiaohui, Chief Physician of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University First Hospital: Drinking water should be particularly sufficient. Before going out every day, you should prepare enough water for drinking on the road. Sometimes when climbing mountains or spending a long time outdoors, there is no place to sell water, so you must prepare a bottle of water. Buy water first. When you arrive in a more desolate place, the bottle of water prepared in advance is very important.
If you experience sudden pain, seize the golden 72 hours and seek medical attention promptly.
In addition, middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases have reduced immunity after exertion, and the National Day holiday coincides with the change of seasons, which can easily cause herpes zoster. The travel health manual specifically reminds middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases not to mistakenly think that herpes zoster is just skin blistering. In the early stage, it often only manifests as pain, which can be easily confused with fatigue, muscle pain, etc. and delays diagnosis and treatment. They should identify early warning signs and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Fan Bifa, Chief Physician of the Pain Department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital: Pain that has never occurred suddenly comes, or past shoulder pain suddenly worsens, so you must be highly vigilant. For example, pain like a knife, burning, or tearing. Once severe, seek medical attention quickly.
Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The virus lurks in the ganglia of the human body. It will attack when the immunity is weakened. It is mostly distributed on the chest, back, waist and abdomen, head and face on one side, and generally does not cross the midline of the body. Middle-aged and elderly people over 50 years old who have chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease are at higher risk of infection and are more likely to cause long-term post-neuralgia. In addition to early vaccination for high-risk groups, once relevant symptoms appear, do not open blisters on your own. It is best to seek medical treatment within 72 hours of the appearance of blisters.
Fan Bifa, Chief Physician of the Pain Department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital: Some people do not pay attention to the symptoms during travel and plan to seek medical treatment after the trip. But we have a golden 72-hour rule. Once you miss the 72 hours of active treatment from the time of blistering, the follow-up will be very troublesome. Antiviral treatment, neurotrophic treatment, analgesic treatment, and treatment to eliminate inflammation within 72 hours will not only make the patient better quickly, but also be of great significance in preventing sequelae.
