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How to act: in transport, shops and offices
The main route of entry of viruses into the body is through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth. And, alas, it is almost impossible to completely “hide” them from the influence of the external environment.
1.Masks
You can use disposable face masks on public transport and other crowded places. Remove the mask immediately after exiting the transport to fresh air. On the street, they are completely useless. Remember that used masks need to be thrown away, even if it has been used for no more than an hour.
2.We wash our hands after handrails and carts
Another way of transmitting viruses is contact. In the conditions of large cities, this method takes a stable second place and tends to break into the first place. After all, everything that we touch is in contact with viruses: door handles at work, handrails in public transport, money, baskets and carts in supermarkets – this is where viruses “settle” during the epidemic. Be vigilant: after touching the source of infection, it is enough to scratch your nose, rub your eyes, eat something with unwashed hands, so that it gets on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and begins to develop. That is why it is so important to wash your hands after coming from the street. And if it is not possible to wash it, be sure to wipe it with disinfectant wipes or lotions.
3.Wipe down the keyboard and mouse
Most often at work, we breathe and sneeze on the screen of a computer or laptop. Do not forget to then carefully wipe what you sneeze on. Including everything you touch (mouse and keyboard).
IMPORTANT!
The duration of the life of the influenza virus on the hands of a person is no more than fifteen minutes. in indoor air, it is active from two to nine hours; on fabrics and paper, the influenza virus – for a maximum of twelve hours; on glass surfaces – up to eight days; оn metal and plastic objects – up to two days.
4.We breathe essential oils.
Even a few drops of natural eucalyptus oil, when evaporated, have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and immunostimulanting properties. Other essential oils with an antiviral effect include oils of mint, juniper, sage, tea tree, and eucalyptus.
You can use drops or sprays with essential oils (for example, sprinkle or drip on a scarf or handkerchief before going out and inhale from time to time). Inhaler pencils also work well with the preventive function. Getting the flu shot will help reduce your chances of catching the flu.
How to be at home
5.We wash the nose.
If you had to be in public places for a long time, then rinse your nose with saline at home – this will ensure disinfection of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process. You can buy ready-made washing kits, or you can use a douche and home solution. It is easy to prepare: for prevention, a solution of low concentration is used – 1 tsp is added to 200 ml of hot water. baking soda and table salt. The solution can be used when it cools to room temperature.
6.Do not forget about remotes, tablets and mobile phones.
Everything that we touch with our hands on the street (bag handles, mobile phones, tablets) should be treated as often as possible during the virus season. It is better if these are wipes or antiseptic lotions (with an alcohol content of at least 60%). Don’t forget to wipe down light switches, doorknobs, TV remotes, home computer keyboards and mice, and other frequently used items around the house.
7.Buy a humidifier.
Do not forget about humidifying the air in the room – this will help keep the mucous membranes (our barrier against viruses) in good shape. Special photocatalytic cleaners will help protect the room from germs and viruses. Specially designed devices destroy microscopic organisms and effectively fight viruses and bacteria.
Simple but important: sleep well, drink a lot and eat green and orange vegetables and fruits
In the season of the spread of viruses, our body undergoes a serious test of resistance. Improper diet, sedentary lifestyle, unstable sleep – all this increases the risk of the disease.
Therefore, sleep as long as possible and correctly (at least 8 hours and go to bed at the same time).
Walk more outdoors.
Add more vegetables and fruits to your diet: dark green, red and yellow vegetables and fruits containing antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene.
Do not forget about an individually selected drinking regimen that will make up for the lack of fluid in the body and moisturize the mucous membranes. As you know, viruses penetrate the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract more easily when they are not sufficiently moistened and microcracks appear on them.
Meningococcal infection is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria, occurring with a variety of clinical manifestations – from asymptomatic carriage, nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa), meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) and meningococcal sepsis (blood poisoning).
The source of infection are sick people and “healthy carriers”, that is, people who do not have any clinical manifestations, but they are carriers of meningococcus.
The incidence of meningococcal infection is characterized by seasonality – the highest incidence is in the autumn-winter period and in early spring.
The route of transmission of the infection is airborne (when coughing, sneezing, talking). The causative agent of infection is extremely unstable in the external environment. The microbe penetrates through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract into the body of a healthy person with prolonged and close contact with the patient or the carrier with whom someone is closely associated with.
From the moment of infection to the onset of the disease, takes from one to ten days.
The patient is contagious to others from the first days of illness.
Children under five years of age are more likely to get sick due to an unformed immune system, as well as adolescents and young people – at this age they spend more time in crowded places (shopping and entertainment centers), which are characterized by a combination of many risk factors – crowding, smoking, general drinks and so on.
Meningitis is characterized by a sudden onset: catarrhal phenomena suddenly appear, severe headache, vomiting, after 6-15 hours a rash, the temperature reaches 39-40 ° C, chills. The skin is pale. There is general weakness, pain in the back and limbs. Patients are thirsty, appetite is reduced.
It should be noted that the disease can proceed in a mild, and therefore very insidious form, imitating such relatively “harmless” diseases as influenza, tonsillitis, runny nose, tonsillitis, and the like.
When favorable conditions arise, such as weakening of the body’s defenses caused by hypothermia, illness, overwork, meningococcus rapidly penetrates into the membranes of the brain and causes inflammation.
For prevention it is necessary:
– When the first symptoms of the disease with catarrhal symptoms (redness of the throat, fever, headache, weakness) appear, contact the emergency departments of the infectious diseases hospitals of the city or the nearest medical institution.
– Limit participation in various cultural events, visits to swimming pools, visits to playgrounds in shopping and entertainment centers, sports sections and events.
– Observe personal hygiene, wash hands thoroughly with detergents after using the toilet and immediately before eating. Do not exchange drinks, food, ice cream, candy, or chewing gum.
– Often ventilate the room, carry out daily wet cleaning in organized groups. Limit visits to crowded places especially entertainment events.
Prevention of influenza and ARVI is a set of measures aimed at preventing infection of the human body with viruses that cause the disease. Preventive methods of protection are divided into specific and non-specific.
Specific prevention of influenza and SARS is the annual vaccination of the population. Due to the fact that viruses tend to mutate, the vaccine is adjusted annually. According to data provided by the WHO, it was thanks to mass vaccination that the intensity of influenza epidemics around the world was reduced. The modern vaccine is able to protect about 80% of both adults and children against influenza. It protects against strains of the virus that are expected to be most common during the upcoming epidemic.
In addition, the introduction of the vaccine allows:
– Reduce the incidence of influenza;
– Reduce the number and strength of side effects in the event that infection does occur;
– Accelerate recovery, alleviate the course of the disease;
– Reduce mortality from complications that arose during the period of influenza.
It has been proven that mass specific prophylaxis of influenza and ARVI has a positive effect on the quality of life, contributes to the creation of an immune layer of the population in a particular area.
The following social groups are in particular need for a vaccine:
– Aged people;
– Children of preschool and school age;
– Employees of educational, medical, trade and other fields;
– Pregnant women;
– People with a weakened immune system, with chronic diseases.
As a rule, modern vaccines do not cause side effects, although it is possible: the occurrence of some soreness at the injection site, hyperemia of this area of the skin, fever, runny nose, weakness, allergic reactions.
Non-specific prevention of influenza and ARVI is a set of general measures, including: airing the room, good nutrition, using masks, washing hands, taking drugs that affect the influenza virus, etc.
Non-specific prevention of influenza and SARS is to increase the body’s resistance to viruses and prevent its penetration into the body. There are the following practical recommendations that should be followed to protect yourself from infection:
– Maintaining optimal parameters of air temperature and humidity in rooms with a large crowd of people.
– Regular ventilation of the premises.
– Walks in the open air.
– Complete nutrition. Food should provide the necessary intake of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.
– An adequate drinking regime allows you to replenish the body’s reserves in the liquid and moisturize the mucous membranes. It has been proven that it is much easier for viruses to invade the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract when they are dry and have microcracks.
– Physical activity, which includes daily exercise.
– Complete rest. First of all, it is healthy sleep. To maintain the functioning of the immune system, you should sleep at least 8 hours a day.
– Maintaining cleanliness in the room, daily wet cleaning followed by ventilation and minimal use of household chemicals.
– The introduction of a mask regimen during epidemics of influenza and SARS. The mask should not be touched with your hands after it is fixed on the face. Reuse of the mask is not allowed. The mask should be changed every 2-3 hours.
– Avoidance of crowded places.
– Thorough hand washing after visiting public places. Until this moment, you should not touch your face, lips, nose.
– In terms of hygiene, attention should be paid not only to the hands, but also to the nasal passages. The toilet of the nose must be carried out after each visit to a public place. For this, special solutions and sprays based on sea water, as well as regular saline, are suitable. In addition to this procedure, you can gargle with a solution of soda and salt or a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs.
– During a conversation, you should keep at least one meter away from the other person.
– In the premises of medical institutions, in classrooms, in kindergarten groups, at universities, it is advisable to use ultraviolet lamps.
The rules for non-specific prevention of influenza and SARS exist not only for healthy people, but also for those who are already sick.
They need to adhere to the following guidelines:
– You should observe bed rest, refuse to visit any public places. At the first symptoms of the disease, it is important to call a doctor at home.
– You should stay as far away from healthy people as possible and use a mask during forced contacts.
– The patient should be in a separate room, which requires regular wet cleaning and ventilation.
– When coughing and sneezing, the mouth should be covered with an individual handkerchief to prevent the spread of the virus over long distances.
– Disposable masks should be used for no more than 2 hours, and after this time they must be disposed of.
– After each contact with respiratory secretions, hands should be treated with an antiseptic gel or thoroughly washed with soap and water.
– All people in contact with a sick person should be monitored for one week.
Special attention deserves various immunostimulants and antiviral drugs, which are often recommended for use in order to increase the body’s immune forces and to fight the virus. Before you start taking this or that remedy, it is worth remembering that there are a huge number of dummy drugs on sale, the effect of which has not been confirmed by scientific studies. Before you go to the pharmacy to purchase an antiviral or immunostimulating agent, you should consult with your doctor and clarify the need for taking it.
The need for taking synthetic vitamins to prevent flu and colds also remains questionable. It is desirable that a person receives them from food, however, if this is not possible, then synthetic B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A should be taken.
Prevention of influenza and SARS is the key to maintaining health even during an epidemic. The main thing is to approach this matter with all responsibility and do not forget about simple rules that allow you to protect yourself and loved ones from infection.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious acute infectious disease that occurs with a characteristic blistering rash. Children who attend kindergarten or school are more likely to get sick – places with a large crowd of people.
The disease is caused by one of the herpes viruses (herpesvirus type 3). The virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person by airborne droplets (when talking, staying in one small room). With the current of air, chickenpox can spread over long distances (up to 20 m, transfer through corridors, from floor to floor, etc.). Transmission of infectious agents through things is not observed. The disease is carried mainly in childhood. About half of the diseases occur at the age of 5 to 9 years, children aged 1-4 and 10-14 years get sick less often. The virus is unstable in the external environment, so the final disinfection after the patient is not carried out.
A person with chickenpox becomes contagious two days before the rash appears, and remains contagious for the first 5-7 days after the first elements of the rash appear.
The incubation period for chickenpox is 7-21 days. The varicella-zoster virus enters the child’s body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, then enters the blood through the lymphatic tract, from where it penetrates the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes, causing changes in the form of a blistering rash. After the acute manifestations of the disease subside, the virus remains in the body for a long time in the form of a latent infection. When immunity is weakened, the virus can become active and affect not only the skin, but also the nervous system and internal organs. After the transferred chicken pox, a strong immunity arises, repeated diseases are not observed.
Symptoms of chickenpox in children
The disease manifests itself primarily as a feverish condition, a sharp increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, and a headache. The most striking sign of chickenpox is a rash and itching. Rashes can also be noted on the scalp, mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, nasopharynx, external genitalia. Small pale pink spots quickly turn into papules and vesicles (vesicles), surrounded by a zone of redness and filled with a clear liquid. Bubbles open in 1-2 days, dry up, the resulting crusts fall off without scarring after 1-3 weeks. Characterized by repeated “sleeping” for 4-5 days, so already on the 2nd day on the skin you can see the elements of the rash in different stages of development. At the end of the period of rashes, the temperature returns to normal.
Chickenpox is divided into mild, moderate, and severe. In a mild form, single, insufficiently developed vesicles appear against the background of normal temperature or with a slight increase in it without disturbing the general condition. In the case of a moderate form, chickenpox is accompanied by slight intoxication, moderately elevated temperature, profuse rash and slight itching of the skin. As the bubbles dry up, the body temperature returns to normal, and the child’s condition improves. In severe form, there is a high temperature (up to 40 ° C), a pronounced violation of well-being, vomiting, damage to internal organs. There is also a hemorrhagic form, when the contents of the vesicles are bloody in nature.
The course of chickenpox can be complicated by:
Inflammation of the chickenpox elements is the most common complication. The child combs the places of rashes, which contributes to the penetration of pathogenic microbes – the rash suppurates and heals longer with the formation of ugly scars that can remain for life.
The development of more serious diseases associated with the addition of a secondary (bacterial) infection – phlegmon, abscesses, erysipelas, stomatitis, otitis media, lymphadenitis, pneumonia.
Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis), synovitis, encephalitis and serous meningitis.
Treatment of chickenpox in children.
There is no specific treatment for chickenpox yet. A sick child is recommended to be kept on bed rest during the entire period of the rash, even at normal temperature and undisturbed condition, and in the future, depending on the condition.
Good care and hygiene are necessary to avoid secondary infection of chickenpox elements (daily change of underwear and bed linen; cutting nails; hygienic baths with potassium permanganate after the rash stops).
Food should be semi-liquid, easily digestible, not hot, with the exception of hot spices, acidic foods and drinks. The daily diet of a child with chickenpox should include pureed vegetable soups, cereals, kissel, and dairy products.
Treatment of each newly appearing element of the rash with a 1% solution of brilliant green, methylene blue or Castellani liquid. This prevents secondary infection, helps to reduce itching and more rapid regression of the elements of the rash. In the event of the appearance of elements of a rash on the mucous membranes, rinsing the oral cavity with disinfectant solutions and carefully lubricating the elements of the rash with aqueous solutions of aniline dyes (methylene blue) should be used. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the conjunctiva of the eyes and external genitalia in children.
Antiviral, antipruritic agents and antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor if there are appropriate indications.
Prevention of chicken pox:
Timely separation and isolation of patients. The period of isolation of the patient is up to the 9th day from the moment the rash appears. Quarantine in a preschool institution is established for 21 days from the moment the disease is detected. The vaccine protects against the disease for 10 years or more. But in Kazakhstan, vaccination of children against chickenpox has not yet become widespread, and this remains the choice of parents.
Scoliosis and posture disorders in schoolchildren are a big problem. Children spend more time at their desks and at the table: these are lessons at school, homework, and games at the computer. Sitting in a passive position for a long time leads to improper development of the muscles and bones of the spine, as a result of which the back is bent, and posture is disturbed. You can issue memos for parents to draw their attention to the prevention of scoliosis in children.
Scoliosis prevention and advice for parents:
Get your child furniture that matches their height. Make sure that the working area of the student’s desk is spacious. Properly organize his/her workplace, i.e. the workplace of the student should be equipped as safe as possible for his/her health (light does not create shadows when writing, comfortable seat and table that maintain the natural position of the body); Not only books and notebooks, but also elbows should be freely placed on the surface. Pay attention to the condition of the child’s vision, if he slouches while reading or writing – he may need glasses. Make sure that when preparing lessons, reading a book, the child does not slouch. It is necessary to monitor the formation of the correct posture, namely: the shoulders should be deployed, the head is slightly raised, the shoulder blades should not protrude, for children of primary school age, a satchel is required; proper nutrition: include foods containing sufficient amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and C. it is necessary to enroll the child in the pool as early as possible, since swimming is the most effective sport in terms of preventing scoliosis; always control physical activity and motor mode. By personal example, teach him to do morning exercises daily; purchase an orthopedic mattress for a child to sleep; do not allow the student to work on a laptop, sitting or lying on the couch: this is one of the contraindications for scoliosis, because this position is very harmful to the neck.
An excellent sports equipment for carrying out exercises for scoliosis for a child is a children’s sports complex (Swedish wall).
It is very useful to just hang on the Swedish wall. The back muscles are straightened and stretched. This exercise strengthens not only the muscles of the back, but also the arms and chest. The child must learn to pull up. Having learned to pull up 1-2 times, you need to gradually increase the load. You can just hang on two or one hand, while hanging on two hands you can raise your legs. This exercise can be supplemented with a load on the legs: hang on the crossbar.
It has been proven that children who regularly play sports practically do not suffer from diseases of the spine, flat feet, physical inactivity, and a violation of posture in girls can cause abnormal development of the reproductive organs. As a result, this becomes a problem when carrying and giving birth to children. It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Therefore, do not forget about an important moment in the life of every person – sports.
Be healthy!
Reminder for parents!
Acute intestinal infectious diseases are the most widespread diseases of preschool and school children, especially in summer. The causative agents of intestinal infections can be: bacteria (salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera), their toxins (botulism), and viruses. The cause of acute intestinal infections are several groups of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The source of infection is a person or an animal.
Leading transmission routes:
– contact-household (through contaminated household items, toys, pacifier, dirty hands);
– food (when eaten, insufficiently processed, poor-quality food);
– water (when drinking unboiled water, swimming in open water).
The causative agents of intestinal infection enter the body of a healthy person through the mouth: along with food, water or through dirty hands. For example, dysentery can begin if you drink tap water, fresh (unboiled) milk. E. coli can be eaten with low-quality kefir or yogurt. The causative agents of salmonellosis get to a person through any contaminated products: chicken meat and eggs, boiled sausage, vegetables and greens poorly washed or washed with dirty water.
From the mouth, microbes enter the stomach, and then into the intestines, where they begin to multiply intensively. The cause of the disease is poisons, toxins that microorganisms secrete, and damage to the digestive tract that they cause. Intestinal infections can occur as acute gastritis (with vomiting), enteritis (with diarrhea), gastroenteritis (both with vomiting and diarrhea), enterocolitis (with damage to the entire intestine). After microbes enter the body, the disease begins after 6-48 hours.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of intestinal infections are:
– summer time of the year – elevated air temperature contributes to the reproduction of pathogens in water, soil, products;
– immunodeficiency states in children;
– perinatal pathology of the central nervous system.
Intestinal infections are more common in summer. This is due to the fact that in the heat we drink more liquid, which means that the gastric juice that kills harmful microbes is diluted. In addition, in the summer we often drink unboiled water (from springs and from the tap).
The entrance gate and the “target” organ is the gastrointestinal tract.
The main groups of symptoms of the disease are as follows:
– fever, weakness, loss of appetite
– diarrhea, vomiting, bloating
– stomach ache
The severity of the disease is indicated by retraction of the eyes, sharpening of facial features, retraction of a large fontanel, dry lips, convulsions. A formidable symptom, indicating the extreme severity of the disease, is the absence of urine in a child for more than 6 hours.
Note!
With diarrhea, accompanied by pain in the abdomen, signs of intoxication, DO NOT:
– Taking painkillers can make diagnosis difficult. Painkillers can hide the manifestations of surgical diseases (appendicitis, acute cholecystitis and others);
– Do not use a heating pad, because. this can increase inflammation and provoke a sharp deterioration in the condition of the child;
– Do not do hot water enema, especially when the temperature rises.
– Do not give the child with diarrhea astringent (fixing) agents – imodium, lopedium, etc., in this case, the course of the disease may be complicated, because. instead of accelerating the removal of toxins from the body, you will provoke their accumulation.
– In infectious diseases that occur with fever, diarrhea, vomiting; If a surgical disease is suspected, homeopathic remedies should never be used. Such conditions require medical advice and conventional therapy; delay in the appointment of traditional medicines can lead to sad consequences.
So, to avoid acute intestinal infections in children, you should:
– strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene, wash your hands more often and thoroughly with soap, especially before eating and after going to the toilet;
– use boiled, bottled or guaranteed quality water;
– thoroughly wash vegetables, fruits, berries before use under running tap water, and for small children – boiled water;
– use only clean packaging (polyethylene, food containers, etc.);
– do not purchase food from random persons or in places of unauthorized trade;
– observe hygiene rules when preparing hot and cold dishes, expiration dates and storage conditions for food products, especially perishable ones, raw food and cooked food should be stored separately;
– thoroughly fry or boil foods, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood;
– perishable foods and prepared food should be stored only in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-6C;
– do not mix freshly cooked food with leftovers from the previous day, but if cooked food remains for another day, then it must be heat-treated (boiled or fried) before consumption.
– do not accumulate garbage and food waste, do not allow the appearance of flies and cockroaches;
– constantly maintain cleanliness in the home and observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not give young children unboiled draft milk, raw eggs, use only fresh products for cooking.
Self-treatment is dangerous for the patient himself, because. as a result of untimely, improper treatment, chronic forms of the disease develop.
Immunity acquired after BCG vaccination made in the maternity hospital lasts an average of 5 years. To maintain acquired immunity, repeated vaccinations (revaccinations) are carried out at the age of 6-7. It is believed that at this age, children are most vulnerable to contracting tuberculosis.
It is quite rightly considered that tuberculosis is a disease of people of low income. However, it is important to know that, due to the unfavorable epidemiological situation in our country and in the world, anyone can encounter this disease, regardless of their income level. Indeed, in recent years there has been an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis among the wealthy segments of society.
For tuberculosis, there are no “prosperous” and “unfavorable” children. Based on this, I would like to emphasize the importance and obligation of vaccination of all children, regardless of social status.
What is the Mantoux test and BCG vaccine?
Mantoux test (tuberculin diagnostics) is a method for the early detection of tuberculosis infection. Its principle is the intradermal administration of small doses of tuberculin, an allergen obtained from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, into the body and monitoring the local reaction.
The Mantoux test is an important tool for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis. Until the evaluation of the results, it is important not to allow the sample site to come into contact with water and other liquids, and not to allow the child to comb the “button”. It is not necessary to smear the sample site with brilliant green, peroxide, and also seal the wound with adhesive tape – the skin may sweat under it. Remember that improper care of the tuberculin injection site can affect the result of the test.
The BCG vaccine protects against primary forms of tuberculosis, and especially against severe, widespread and extrapulmonary forms (such as meningitis, bone disease), which are the most difficult to diagnose and treat. The vaccines contain live attenuated bovine mycobacteria and are available in dry form. Before use, the vaccine is diluted with sterile saline, which is attached to the drug. For vaccination, a special tuberculin syringe (volume 1 ml) is used. The vaccine is administered strictly intradermally at the border of the upper and middle thirds of the outer surface of the left shoulder.
Already in the first week after revaccination, a spot appears at the injection site, then an infiltrate with a diameter of no more than 5-10 mm. In the future, a bubble is formed there with a transparent, and then cloudy content, then a crust. After 5-6 months, children have a delicate superficial scar 3-10 mm long, which takes its final form by the year. The appearance of a scar indicates that the vaccination has taken place and that the body has developed specific protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
If parents refuse BCG vaccination, they must understand that they are exposing the child to a very high risk of contracting tuberculosis. Thus, it should be absolutely made sure that the baby does not have contact with patients.
