News observation： There may be an overlapping epidemic risk of influenza and COVID-19 this winter and next spring. Accurate treatment should be identified as soon as possible.

CCTV News:A few days ago, the National Health and Wellness Commission said that experts have judged that there may be a risk of influenza epidemic in China this winter and next spring, and there may also be a risk of influenza and COVID-19 overlapping epidemics. Because the clinical symptoms of influenza, cold and COVID-19 are similar to some extent, it is critical to identify and treat them accurately as soon as possible. Experts said that in addition to influenza vaccination, it is also important to wear masks and avoid cross-infection and other self-protection measures.

National Health Commission said that since 2021, the global influenza activity has been increasing, and some countries have already become popular. Surveillance in China shows that since March this year, the national influenza activity has been higher than that of the same period last year. There may be a risk of influenza and COVID-19 overlapping this winter and next spring.

Wang Huaqing, Chief Expert of Immunization Program of China CDC:It is important to guard against COVID-19, and it is also very important to prevent and control influenza. An effective measure to prevent and control influenza is to vaccinate against influenza. It is generally suggested that people over 6 months are the target of influenza vaccine. At present, for various reasons, it is recommended to vaccinate key people.

Experts said that in clinical identification, mild and common influenza in COVID-19 is not easy to distinguish from influenza, and they all show symptoms such as fever, dry cough and sore throat, which are similar to the clinical manifestations of severe and critical influenza, and should be differentiated by combining epidemiological history and etiology.

Tian Geng, Director of xuanwu hospital Infectious Diseases Department of Capital Medical University:Cold, influenza and COVID-19 are all infectious diseases of respiratory tract, and the clinical symptoms are very difficult to identify, which must be identified by molecular biological methods, that is, nucleic acid detection. If you are in a high-risk area or an epidemic area in COVID-19 where there are cases reported, it is not recommended to control the symptoms of a cold by taking cold medicine on your own, and it is recommended to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Experts emphasize that attention should be paid to the serious risks that may be brought by the flu in children or the superposition of COVID-19. Children in the younger age group have a higher rate of seeing a doctor and staying in hospital, and they will carry the virus for a longer time, which is a very important source of infection.

Wu Liqun, Director of Pediatrics, Oriental Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine:(For children), the symptoms caused by COVID-19 will be mild, but if it is combined with influenza, the symptoms will be aggravated, and the proportion of severe influenza in children is also relatively high, especially in children under 5 years old.

The "Influenza Diagnosis and Treatment Plan" issued by National Health Commission further regulates the drug use of children, especially reminding that Chinese patent medicines without indications for children should not be used by children.

Wu Liqun, Director of Pediatrics, Oriental Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine:Pneumonia complications easily caused by (flu), if there is obvious cough, some (drugs) should be used early when expectoration, which not only has the function of clearing away heat and toxic materials, but also has the function of relieving cough and resolving phlegm.

Experts said that in order to prevent the overlapping risks of influenza and COVID-19, influenza vaccination work has been carried out in an orderly manner. Whether it is to prevent influenza or COVID-19, maintaining good personal hygiene habits is an important means.