Financial Associated Press, December 16, at the life and health sub-forum of the 2023 Global Times Annual Meeting, Zhang Boli said that the current epidemic situation has changed a lot and we should adapt to changes, as does our country's prevention and control policy. According to this logic, we are constantly optimizing and adjusting. Omicron virus is highly contagious and weakly virulent. Asymptomatic people account for 30 to 40%, and 40 to 50% have upper respiratory tract symptoms. Severe disease and sequelae are relatively rare. After the prevention and control policies are optimized and adjusted, the number of infections will increase in the short term, but the overall situation is developing in a good direction. 1. After the peak in February, the epidemic is expected to return to normal by the time spring comes, and large-scale infections will not occur, and people's work, life, and study will gradually be unaffected. At this stage, it is still necessary to take good personal protection. The idea that morning sun brings good health early is wrong, and personal protection is crucial. Although the chance of reinfection is small 3 to 6 months after infection, the virus is constantly mutating, so protective measures should be taken regardless of whether you have been infected before. It is recommended that people without absolute contraindications be vaccinated in a timely manner.
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Zhang Boli: This year is likely to be the year of reunion
In the past week, the Omicron virus has been coming fiercely, and more and more people The stroke turns positive. Can people who have been infected become infected again? Are the Chinese anti-epidemic prescriptions circulating on the Internet reliable? Can Chinese medicine and Western medicine be taken together? In response to the hot issues of current public concern, Academician Zhang Boli accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency's "Xinhua Viewpoint".
Academician Zhang Boli guides scientific research at the State Key Laboratory of Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Photo provided by the interviewed unit
Hot spot 1: The number of infected people has increased significantly in some cities such as Beijing, 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 the current epidemic in Beijing is the Omicron BF.7 strain, which is more contagious and has immune evasion capabilities than other Omicron mutant strains. This mutant strain mainly replicates in the upper respiratory tract, which means that infected people can easily spread the virus when talking or coughing, further promoting the spread of the virus. In addition, it is cold in the north and it is the peak season for colds and flu, which further deepens the impression of the seriousness of the epidemic.
Hot Topic 2: Will people who have been infected with COVID-19 be infected again?
Zhang Boli: It is true that for some infectious diseases, lasting or even lifelong immunity can be obtained after a single infection, such as chickenpox. The new coronavirus infection is different. Through the observation of the Omicron epidemic at home and abroad, it can be concluded that due to the continuous mutation of the new coronavirus and its strong immune evasion ability, the currently circulating Omicron strain has many characteristics. It is difficult for the human body to establish a comprehensive immune barrier against different subtypes of Omicron. After being infected with the new coronavirus, a small number of people may be infected again. More research is needed in this regard.
The situation of secondary infection varies from person to person and should be considered based on the immunity of the infected person at the time and the strength of the virus. Generally speaking, the symptoms of a second infection are not much different from those of the first infection. If you are infected with the same subtype of virus, the symptoms of the second infection will be milder than those of the first infection. Therefore, personal protective measures should be maintained even after recovery from infection.
Hot Topic 3: Many people are concerned about the sequelae of COVID-19. Is this concern necessary?
Zhang Boli: Whether it is called "sequelae" or "COVID-19" can still be discussed. Some patients do still have some symptoms during the recovery period and do not fully recover. About 10% of patients with infections caused by the original strain and delta strain will have such symptoms after becoming negative. However, preliminary observations indicate that the risk of the Omicron strain causing symptoms of COVID-19 is significantly reduced, and asymptomatic infections basically have no sequelae of COVID-19.
Omicron infection is not scary, and the vast majority of infected people can fully recover within 7-10 days. There is no need to worry or panic over the "sequelae" of COVID-19. However, due to the large number of infected people, some persistent symptoms after patients are cured require further observation and study.
Traditional Chinese medicine talks about "preventing recurrence of scabies". Our experience in Wuhan is that early rehabilitation, comprehensive rehabilitation, self-rehabilitation, and the use of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, and traditional exercises can promote patients' recovery and improve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Continuing the experience of COVID-19 recovery, giving full play to the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in recovery, constantly optimizing recovery paths and methods, and taking active intervention measures to allow the healed to reach a better physical and mental state.
Hot Topic 4: Can Chinese and Western medicines be taken together?
In the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academician Zhang Boli takes the patient’s pulse and inquires. Photo taken by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran on February 23, 2021
Zhang Boli: At present, we should call on the general public to use drugs rationally and rationally, and to avoid indiscriminate medical treatment and excessive drug use. If you are infected, try not to take Western antipyretics and Chinese cold medicines at the same time. If you take Lianhua Qingwen, Jinhua Qinggan, Xuanfei Baidu Granules and other Chinese patent medicines with antipyretic effects, do not take ibuprofen or other antipyretic drugs together. Acetaminophen. If other Chinese and Western medicines are taken, they should also be taken 1 hour apart to avoid affecting each other. Of course, if you have taken traditional Chinese medicine for colds but have obvious sore throat, you can take additional symptomatic medicines such as Liushen Pills and Qingyan Dropping Pills. At the same time, the principle of "stopping the disease as soon as possible" should be followed, and medication should be stopped promptly after the symptoms disappear.
Try to take only one type of traditional Chinese cold medicine. There is no need to take two or three kinds at the same time. Most of these medicines contain bitter and cold medicines that clear away heat and detoxify. If used in combination, they can easily damage the spleen and stomach, which is not conducive to recovery. The same is true for Western antipyretics. Just choose one type and avoid using them in combination. Be careful not to exceed the daily dosage, otherwise it may cause damage to the liver.
Hot Topic 5: There are many traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for preventing or treating COVID-19 circulating on the Internet, as well as some so-called "very effective" dietary supplements. What do you think?
Zhang Boli: According to the principle of "three causes" of traditional Chinese medicine, different regions, different groups of people, and different seasons have different prescriptions for preventing and treating diseases. The prescriptions need to be tailored according to the time, people and locality. The same goes for dietary supplements. These traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions circulated on the Internet may be effective for some people, but they may not be effective for other groups of people, and they may even have side effects. It is recommended that medicines and dietary supplements should be used rationally under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. For patients, it is important to drink more water, eat more fruits and fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C, pay attention to rest, and ensure sleep.
In the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academician Zhang Boli is having a consultation in the clinic. Photo taken by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran on February 23, 2021
Hot Spot 6: What will be the trend of epidemic infections next?
Zhang Boli: According to the current domestic situation, the Omicron strain has spread in society, and it is the peak season of winter influenza and common colds. There will be a wave of epidemics in the next 1 to 2 months. peak.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, my country has combined prevention and treatment, paid equal attention to both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and used both Chinese and Western medicine. The severe rate and mortality rate of COVID-19 have remained at a low level. However, as the infection base continues to increase, the number of severely infected people is also likely to increase. Relevant national departments have deployed medical units to strengthen beds for severe treatment and training of medical personnel. Although the new coronavirus shows a trend of weakening in its pathogenicity, the Omicron variant still poses a great threat to the health of the elderly and people with serious underlying diseases. How to protect these groups during the peak period of the epidemic is the next step in epidemic prevention and control. key tasks.
Hot Topic 7: Does this year’s Spring Festival have the conditions for everyone to reunite and celebrate the festival?
Zhang Boli: The release of the "New Ten Articles" of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism has given people with homesickness hope to go home for the New Year. Reunion is the greatest expectation of the Chinese people for the Spring Festival. Empathy and better integration of epidemic prevention and control work with heart-warming services are also the direction for the optimization and adjustment of my country's epidemic prevention and control policies. Under the new situation of the epidemic, I believe that the epidemic prevention and control departments and local governments are also taking precautions and formulating return home policies according to local conditions. This year will most likely be a year of reunion. However, the risk of transmission during Spring Festival travel is high, so relevant preparations still need to be strengthened, and personal epidemic prevention awareness and measures must not be relaxed.
Hot Topic 8: Many people are anxious recently because they think they may be infected. What do you want to say to them?
Zhang Boli: Traditional Chinese medicine often says that seven emotions cause disease, and negative emotions such as panic and anxiety may lead to a decrease in human immunity. A positive attitude is of great benefit in preventing and treating diseases, and we should adapt to changes. Different from the pathogenicity of the first generation viruses and delta viruses, the current pathogenicity of Omicron infection is weak. You don’t usually get nervous when you get a cold or the flu, and there is no need to be nervous now, especially young people. In daily life, we must adhere to the prevention and control measures that have been effective in the past, maintain social distance, wear masks correctly, disinfect hands, pay attention to indoor ventilation, do not gather, eat less, work regularly, ensure sleep, and have protective measures in place to be able to COVID-19 plays an effective preventive role. Actively calm down your emotions, adjust yourself, and engage in activities such as reading, Baduanjin, Tai Chi, etc. to relax your body and mind.