Zhang Boli: Spring is expected after January and February for the epidemic situation

Caixin News Agency, December 16, in the 2023 Global Times annual meeting of the life and health sub-forum, Zhang Boli said that the current epidemic situation has changed a lot, and should be changed in response to changes, China's prevention and control policies are in accordance with this logic in the continuous optimization and adjustment. Omicron viruses are highly infectious and weakly toxic, with asymptomatic people accounting for 30% to 40% of the population, 40% to 50% of those with upper respiratory symptoms, and relatively few serious illnesses and sequelae. After the optimization and adjustment of prevention and control policies, the number of infected people will increase in the short term, but the overall situation is developing in a good direction. after the peak in January and February, the epidemic is expected to enter the norm by the time the spring flowers bloom, there will be no large-scale infections, and the people's work, life and study will be gradually unaffected. At this stage it is still important to do a good job of personal protection. The idea that early sun is better is incorrect, and personal protection is vital. Although the chances of re-infection 3 to 6 months after infection are small, but the virus is constantly mutating, whether or not infected should be well protected line. It is recommended that people who have no absolute contraindications for the vaccine be vaccinated in a timely manner.

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Zhang Boli: this year is likely to be a reunion year

In recent weeks, the Omicron Virus has come on strong, and more and more people have been hit with Yang. Will those who have been infected be infected again and again? Is the anti-epidemic herbal formula circulating on the Internet reliable? Can Chinese and Western medicines be taken together? In response to the public's concern about the hot issues, Zhang Boli academician accepted the Xinhua News Agency "Xinhua Viewpoint" reporter's interview.

Academician Zhang Bolei directs scientific research at the State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Hot spot 1: The number of infected people has increased significantly in some cities, such as Beijing, but remained stable in others, what are the reasons for this difference?

Zhang Boli: The difference is related to Beijing's high population and density, which has led to a faster spread of the epidemic. At the same time, the main strain in the current outbreak in Beijing is the Omicron BF.7 strain, which has stronger infectiousness and immune escape ability compared with other variants of Omicron. This variant mainly replicates in the upper respiratory tract, which means that infected people are prone to spreading the virus when they talk or cough, further facilitating the spread of the virus. In addition, the cold northern part of the country, which is also in the high season for colds and flu, reinforces the impression that the outbreak is serious.

Hot spot 2: Will people infected with the new crown get infected again?

Zhang Boli: Some infectious diseases, indeed, in a single infection will obtain lasting or even lifelong immunity, such as chickenpox. And the new crown virus infection is different, through the observation of the domestic and foreign omicron epidemic can be concluded that, due to the new crown virus constantly mutating, and has a strong immune escape ability, the current epidemic omicron strain has a number of subtypes, the human body of omicron different subtypes is difficult to establish a comprehensive immune barrier in the infection of the new crown virus, a small number of people may still be infected again, in this regard, it is necessary to conduct More research is needed in this area.

Secondary infections vary from person to person, depending on the immunity of the infected person and the strength of the virus at the time. In general, the symptoms of a second infection are not very different from those of a first infection. If infected with the same subtype of the virus, the symptoms of a secondary infection will be less severe than those of a primary infection. Therefore, personal protective measures should be maintained even after recovery from infection.

Topic 3: Many people are concerned about the after-effects of the new crown, is this concern necessary?

Zhang Boli: Whether it is called "sequelae" "long new crown" can also be discussed. Some patients do still have some symptoms during the recovery period and have not fully recovered. Infection caused by the original strain and delta strain about 10% of patients have such symptoms after conversion. However, preliminary observations so far indicate that the risk of the omicron strain triggering such symptoms in new crowns is significantly reduced, and asymptomatic infections are largely free of new crown sequelae.

Omicronjon infection is not a scary disease, and the vast majority of infected patients recover fully within 7-10 days. For the new crown "sequelae", do not worry and panic. However, due to the large base of infected people, some of the persistent symptoms that appear after the patients are cured, further observation and research is needed.

The Chinese medicine talks about "preventing recurrence after disease". Our experience in Wuhan is that early rehabilitation, comprehensive rehabilitation, and self-rehabilitation with Chinese medicine, acupuncture, tuina, and traditional gongfu can promote healing and improve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Continuing the experience of Xin Guan Rehabilitation, we will give full play to the distinctive advantages of Chinese medicine in rehabilitation, and continue to optimize rehabilitation pathways and methods, and take active interventions to bring the cured to a better state of mind and body.

Hot spot 4: Can Chinese and Western medicines be taken together?

Academician Zhang Boli takes a patient's pulse and asks questions at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran took on February 23, 2021

Zhang Boli: the current should call on the general public rational use of drugs, rational use of drugs, do not be in a hurry as well as overdose of drugs. If infected, Western medicine fever reducers and Chinese medicine cold medicine try not to take the same, such as taking Lianhua Qingdian, Jinhua Qingdian, Xuanlong sepulchral particles and other Chinese medicines with fever-reducing effect, it is no longer jointly take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other Chinese medicine western medicine such as taking should also be spaced 1 hour, to avoid each other's influence. Of course, if you are taking cold and flu Chinese medicine, but the sore throat is obvious, you can add to take Liushen Pills, clear throat drops and other symptomatic drugs. At the same time, we should grasp the principle of "stopping the disease", and stop using the drug in time after the symptoms disappear.

The Chinese medicine cold medicine also try to choose only one to take, there is no need to take two or three together, this kind of medicine contains more heat detoxification class bitter cold medicine, stacked use easy to hurt the spleen and stomach, is not conducive to the healing. The same is true for Western medicine fever medication, choose a can, avoid joint use of drugs, to pay attention to the daily dose do not exceed the standard, otherwise it may bring damage to the liver.

Hot spot five: now online circulating a lot of prevention or treatment of the new crown of the Chinese medicine prescription, as well as some of the so-called "very good" dietary supplement, how do you think?

Zhang Boli: According to the principle of Chinese medicine "three causes and conditions", different regions, different people, different seasons to prevent and treat diseases of the prescription are different, need to be tailored to the time and place of the prescription medication, dietary supplements is also the same reason. These Chinese herbal formulas circulating on the Internet may work for some people, but not necessarily effective for other people, or even counterproductive. It is recommended that prescriptions and dietary supplements be used appropriately under the guidance of a Chinese medicine practitioner. For patients, it is important to drink more water, eat more fruits and fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C, and pay attention to rest and sleep.

Academician Zhang Boli sits in a consultation room at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ran photographed on February 23, 2021

Hot spot six: what will be the next trend of the epidemic infection?

Zhang Boli: According to the current domestic situation, the Omicron strain has spread in the community, and in the winter season of influenza and common cold, the next 1 to 2 months will usher in a wave of epidemic peak.

Since the outbreak of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, China's prevention and treatment combined with Chinese and Western medicine, Chinese and Western medicine, the new coronary pneumonia severe disease rate and death rate remained at a relatively low level. However, as the infection base continues to grow, there is a high probability that the number of seriously infected people will also increase. The national authorities have already deployed medical units to strengthen beds for critical care and training of medical personnel. Although the new coronavirus shows a trend of weakening pathogenicity, the Omicron variant still poses a greater threat to the health of the elderly and people with serious underlying diseases, and how to protect these people at the peak of the epidemic is the next major focus of the prevention and control of the epidemic.

Hot spot seven: this year's Spring Festival has the conditions for everyone to reunite for the holiday?

Zhang Boli: The release of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism "New Ten" has given people with nostalgia the hope of going home for the New Year. Reunion is the Chinese people's greatest hope for the Spring Festival, will be heart to heart, the epidemic prevention and control work and warm-hearted service to better integrate, but also China's epidemic prevention and control policy optimization and adjustment of the direction. In the new situation of the epidemic, I believe that the epidemic prevention and control departments and governments around the world are also planning for a rainy day, tailored to the local conditions to develop a policy of returning home, this year is likely to be a reunion year. However, the spring migration of people at a higher risk of transmission, the relevant preparations still need to be strengthened, personal awareness of epidemic prevention and measures must not be relaxed.

Hot spot eight: recently many people because they feel may be infected in anxiety, what do you want to say to them?

Zhang Boli: Chinese medicine often say that seven emotions cause disease, panic and anxiety and other bad emotions may lead to a decline in the body's immunity, a positive state of mind for the prevention and treatment of disease has a very great benefit, should be changed. With the first generation of viruses, Delta virus pathogenicity is different, now Omicron infection pathogenicity is weaker. Usually you don't get nervous about getting a cold or flu, and there is no need to be nervous now, especially not for young people. In daily life, we should adhere to the prevention and control measures that have worked in the past, maintain social distance, wear masks correctly, do a good job of hand disinfection, pay attention to indoor ventilation, do not gather, less gatherings, regular work and rest, to ensure that sleep, protective measures in place, can play an effective preventive role in the new crown. Actively do a good job of emotional calming work, self-adjustment, such as reading, eight brocade, tai chi and some other activities to relax the body and mind.