Every spring, the respiratory departments of major hospitals are often overcrowded. You may be curious why spring is a high-risk period for respiratory diseases? The reporter invited Yuan Bing, Chief Physician of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department, and Pei Jiahong, Deputy Chief Physician of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery Department, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, to give a popular science interpretation for everyone. In the spring when everything is recovering, the temperature warms up and humidity changes, providing a breeding ground for various bacteria and viruses. In addition, with the blooming of flowers and an increase in allergens such as pollen, the number of patients with respiratory diseases increases. Overall, the common cold, influenza, and allergic rhinitis are the most common respiratory diseases in spring, but their symptoms are slightly different: the common cold is mainly caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, etc., and the patient's condition is relatively mild. In addition to low-grade fever or no fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, it is generally accompanied by symptoms such as cough and sore throat. In severe cases, it may cause complications such as pneumonia. ——Influenza is an infectious disease caused by influenza virus, and the patient's condition is relatively severe. Symptoms include chills, high fever, body temperature usually above 38 ℃, as well as headaches, fatigue, muscle soreness, etc. Respiratory symptoms are relatively mild in the early stages of onset. ——Allergic rhinitis is mainly caused by allergens. In spring, various pollen can trigger allergic reactions in the nasal mucosa. Patients may experience symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and eye itching, which can affect their daily lives. Experts say that besides having different causes, colds and allergic rhinitis can also be distinguished from the following aspects. From the nature of nasal mucus: During a cold, nasal mucus is mostly sticky in the early stages and purulent in the later stages. Nasal mucus in allergic rhinitis is mostly watery. From the perspective of the disease course, if there are no complications with a cold, it can be cured in about 10 days. Allergic rhinitis usually lasts for more than 1 month. From the accompanying symptoms: a cold is accompanied by fever, headache, sore throat, cough, yellow phlegm, and general discomfort. Allergic rhinitis is not accompanied by fever and may be accompanied by itching in the eyes, ears, throat, cough, or sticky white phlegm. How can we prevent these common respiratory diseases in spring? Experts say that these respiratory diseases are mainly transmitted through droplets and contact, and maintaining good personal hygiene habits is an effective means of prevention: first, wash hands frequently, thoroughly clean hands with soap and running water, which can reduce the spread of pathogens. Secondly, it is important to wear a mask, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, to reduce the risk of respiratory disease infection. Thirdly, it is important to have a balanced diet and consume more foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C. Fourthly, it is necessary to strengthen physical exercise, as it can effectively enhance the body's resistance to pathogens. Timely vaccination, such as influenza vaccine, can effectively prevent certain respiratory diseases. Six, it is necessary to maintain indoor air circulation. Regularly opening windows for ventilation can increase indoor air flow and reduce the accumulation of bacteria or viruses. Seventh, for people with allergies, it is important to avoid contact with allergens as much as possible. If you feel uncomfortable, you must use medication under the guidance of a doctor, because prevention and treatment are equally important for this population. Health is the cornerstone of life. In this spring, let's use scientific methods together to protect the respiratory health of ourselves and our families. (New Society)