Extended reading:
Zhang Boli: This year is the year of reunion.
In the past week, the Omicrovirus has been threatening, and more and more people have been recruited to be positive. Will infected people be infected again and again? Is the epidemic prevention prescription circulating on the Internet reliable? Can Chinese medicine and western medicine be eaten together? In view of the current hot issues of public concern, Academician Zhang Boli accepted an exclusive interview with Xinhua Viewpoint reporter of Xinhua News Agency.
Academician Zhang Boli directs scientific research in the State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Components. Photo courtesy of the interviewed unit
Hot spot 1: The number of infected people in some cities such as Beijing has increased significantly, but the situation in other cities is relatively stable. What is the reason for this difference?
Zhang Boli: This difference is related to Beijing's large population and high density, which leads to the faster spread of the epidemic. At the same time, the main strain of this epidemic in Beijing is Omicron BF.7, which has stronger infectivity and immune escape ability compared with other variants in Omicron. This mutant mainly replicates in the upper respiratory tract, which means that infected people are easy to spread the virus when talking and coughing, which further promotes the spread of the virus. In addition, the cold in the north and the high season of colds and flu have deepened the impression that the epidemic is serious.
Hotspot 2: Will people infected with COVID-19 be infected again and again?
Zhang Boli: Some infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, really get lasting or even lifelong immunity after one infection. The infection situation in COVID-19 is different. By observing the epidemic situation of Omicron at home and abroad, it can be concluded that due to the constant variation of COVID-19 and its strong immune escape ability, there are many subtypes of Omicron, so it is difficult for human bodies to establish a comprehensive immune barrier against different subtypes of Omicron. After being infected with COVID-19, a few people may be infected again, and more research is needed in this respect.
The situation of secondary infection varies from person to person, and should be considered according to the immunity of the infected person at that time and the strength of the virus. Generally speaking, the symptoms of secondary infection are not much different from those of primary infection. If you are infected with the same subtype of virus, the symptoms of the second infection will be lighter than the first infection. Therefore, even after the infection is cured, personal protective measures should be adhered to.
Hot spot 3: Many people are concerned about the sequela of COVID-19. Is this worry necessary?
Zhang Boli: Whether it is called "sequela" or "growing a new crown" can be discussed. Some patients do have some symptoms during the recovery period and have not fully recovered. About 10% of patients infected by the original strain and δ strain have such symptoms after turning negative. However, at present, the risk of COVID-19 and other symptoms caused by Omicron strain is obviously reduced, and asymptomatic infected people basically have no sequelae of COVID-19.
Omicron infection is not terrible, and most infected people can fully recover within 7- 10 days. There is no need to worry and panic too much about COVID-19's "sequela". However, due to the large number of infected people, some persistent symptoms after the patient is cured need further observation and research.
Chinese medicine says "treating diseases before they occur". Our experience in Wuhan is early rehabilitation, comprehensive rehabilitation and self-rehabilitation. Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage and traditional exercises can promote the recovery of patients and improve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Continue COVID-19's rehabilitation experience, give full play to the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in rehabilitation, constantly optimize rehabilitation paths and methods, and take active intervention measures to make the cured people achieve a better state of mind and body.
Hot spot 4: Can Chinese medicine and western medicine be eaten together?
In the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academician Zhang Boli is feeling the patient's pulse. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran was photographed on February 23rd, 20021year.
Zhang Boli: At present, we should appeal to the general public to use drugs rationally, and avoid rushing for success and overdosing. If infected, western medicine antipyretic and Chinese medicine cold medicine should not be taken together as far as possible. Such as Lianhua Qingwen, Jinhua Qinggan, Xuanfei Baidu Granules and other Chinese patent medicines with antipyretic effects will no longer be used with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other traditional Chinese medicines and western medicines should be taken at intervals of 1 hour to avoid mutual influence. Of course, if you take cold medicine, but the sore throat is obvious, you can take symptomatic drugs such as Liushen Pill and Qingyan Dropping Pill. At the same time, we should grasp the principle of "stopping drug halfway" and stop drug in time after the symptoms disappear.
Try to take only one kind of Chinese medicine for a cold. There is no need to take two or three kinds together. Most of these drugs contain bitter and cold drugs for clearing away heat and toxic materials, which are easy to hurt the spleen and stomach and are not conducive to rehabilitation. The same is true for western medicine antipyretics. You can choose one, avoid combined medication, and be careful not to exceed the daily dosage, otherwise it may cause damage to the liver.
Hot spot 5: There are many prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for preventing or treating COVID-19 and some so-called "very effective" food supplements circulating on the Internet. what do you think?
Zhang Boli: According to the principle of "three factors make it appropriate" in traditional Chinese medicine, the prescriptions for preventing and treating diseases are different in different regions, different populations and different seasons, so people use drugs according to the time and place, and the food supplement is the same. These prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine circulating on the Internet may be effective for some people, but they may not be effective for others, or even counterproductive. It is suggested that prescriptions and dietary supplements should be used reasonably under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine. It is important for patients to drink more water, eat more fruits and fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C, pay attention to rest and ensure sleep.
Academician Zhang Boli is sitting in the consulting room in the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran was photographed on February 23rd, 20021year.
Hot spot 6: What will be the trend of epidemic infection next?
Zhang Boli: Judging from the current situation in China, the Omicron virus strain has spread in the society, and it is also in the high season of influenza and common cold in winter, and there will be another epidemic peak in the future 1 2 months.
Since the outbreak of New Crown Pneumonia, China has adhered to the combination of prevention and treatment, paying equal attention to both Chinese and Western medicine. The mortality rate in COVID-19 has remained at a low level. However, with the increasing base of infection, the number of severely infected people will also increase with a high probability. The relevant state departments have deployed medical units to strengthen the training of intensive care beds and medical personnel. Although the pathogenicity of COVID-19 is weakening, Omicron mutant still poses a great threat to the health of the elderly and people with serious basic diseases. How to protect these people at the peak of the epidemic is the key work of epidemic prevention and control.
Hot spot 7: Does this year's Spring Festival have the conditions for everyone to reunite for the holidays?
Zhang Boli: The release of "Ten Articles of New China", a joint prevention and control mechanism in the State Council, has given homesick people the hope of going home for the New Year. Reunion is the greatest expectation of China people for the Spring Festival. It is also the direction of optimizing and adjusting China's epidemic prevention and control policies to better combine the epidemic prevention and control work with warm-hearted service. Under the new situation of the epidemic, it is believed that the epidemic prevention and control departments and local governments are also planning ahead and formulating the return home policy according to local conditions. This year is likely to be a year of reunion. However, the risk of migration and transmission of the peak population in Spring Festival travel rush is high, and the relevant preparations still need to be strengthened, and personal awareness and measures of epidemic prevention must not be relaxed.
Hot spot 8: Recently, many people are anxious because they think they may be infected. What do you want to say to them?
Zhang Boli: Traditional Chinese medicine often says that negative emotions such as seven emotions causing diseases, panic and anxiety may lead to the decline of human immunity. A positive attitude is of great benefit to the prevention and treatment of diseases, so we should adapt to changes. Different from the pathogenicity of the first generation virus and Delta virus, the pathogenicity of Omicron infection is weak now. There is no need to be nervous about colds or flu, especially for young people. In daily life, we should stick to the effective prevention and control measures in the past, keep a social distance, wear masks correctly, disinfect our hands, pay attention to indoor ventilation, avoid gathering, eat less and eat more meals, work and rest regularly, ensure sleep and put protective measures in place, which can play an effective preventive role in COVID-19. Actively do a good job of emotional calm and self-regulation, such as reading, Ba Duan Jin, Tai Ji Chuan and other activities to relax.