The latest monitoring data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the positive rate of influenza virus testing in the country continues to rise, with influenza A being the main type. Experts remind that currently it is a high-risk period for respiratory diseases such as influenza. It is necessary to raise self-protection awareness and take measures to prevent influenza. At the same time, key populations such as children and the elderly should be closely monitored and actively seek medical treatment after experiencing influenza symptoms. Huang Yan, director of the Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, introduced that compared with the common cold, flu patients have more obvious symptoms such as muscle soreness, fatigue, sore throat, headache, and more severe fever. On the other hand, common cold patients have more obvious upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and sneezing, and do not have fever or only have low-grade fever. Huang Yan reminds that influenza is a self limiting disease, and patients without complications generally have a course of about one week. After 3-5 days of onset, the fever gradually subsides and the overall symptoms improve, but coughing and physical recovery take a long time. The high-risk groups of influenza, such as the elderly aged 65 and above, children under 5 years old, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, are more likely to have serious complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, myocarditis, etc. after infection with influenza, so close observation and active treatment are needed. Wang Liping, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine at Guizhou Hospital of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, introduced that after children develop flu symptoms, mild cases can be isolated at home, and they should try to follow the doctor's advice to receive anti influenza virus treatment within 48 hours of onset. They should rest more, drink more water, supplement vitamins, have a balanced diet, and pay attention to keeping warm; Severe cases or influenza complications require hospitalization for treatment. Experts remind that getting vaccinated against influenza is an economical and effective preventive measure. After receiving the influenza vaccine, the antibody protection level can generally be maintained for about 6 months, and the vaccine protection weakens with time. Moreover, due to the easy mutation of the influenza virus, the strains that are prevalent each year are not the same. Therefore, it is recommended that people over 6 months old and without contraindications for vaccination receive the influenza vaccine every year. (New Society)