Six COVID-19 deaths have been reported in this round of the epidemic. How can the elderly prevent secondary bacterial infections from the virus?
Since October this year, a new round of epidemics has continued to spread across the country, and the number of confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections in various places has exploded, but severe cases or deaths are rare.
However, the official news released in the past week reported 6 deaths, all from Beijing, Zhengzhou, and Chengdu. All died of underlying diseases associated with secondary infection or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents.
The physical condition of the elderly is worrying when they get older, and the respiratory system is further damaged by the COVID-19 virus infection. Sudden emergency death is inevitable, so how to prevent secondary infection? Do we have a better way to deal with the emergence of secondary infections?
What secondary infections occur in the elderly?
There may be many complications after infection with the new coronavirus, but because it is an infectious disease of the respiratory system, after the virus enters the human body through the respiratory tract, the first secondary infection of the lungs occurs. After the virus damages the lung tissue, the bacteria also It will take the opportunity to invade and lead to mixed infection of the lungs. After further decline in lung function, it will cause dyspnea. In severe cases, respiratory failure may occur. Such patients often need auxiliary treatment with oxygen therapy and ventilators.
After the respiratory system is damaged, the organs of the whole body will also affect the whole body. After the heart is attacked, viral myocarditis, decreased heart function will lead to heart failure, malignant arrhythmia, etc., and eventually lead to sudden cardiac death. Most of these patients Cardiac monitoring and drug therapy are required. Liver function, kidney function, blood coagulation function and digestive system may also be damaged to a certain extent, causing corresponding symptoms.
Therefore, early disease diagnosis and early intervention are the key means to prevent the development and deterioration of the disease. Once the secondary infection and complications of elderly patients with COVID-19 are found, symptomatic treatment, antiviral treatment and adjuvant treatment should be taken immediately. Antibiotics should also be used in time for infection.
How to prevent viral secondary bacterial infection?
Reducing the rate of severe illness and mortality, and reducing the panic of the people are things we must solve at this stage, and the key point is to treat secondary infections well.
1) First: early detection, early intervention and early prevention
The rescue and treatment of elderly critically ill patients is a difficult problem for medical staff. The key to treatment is early detection, early intervention and early treatment. Timely support of vital signs and administration of medications, minimizing lung injury, and reducing the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome can lead to lower mortality.
2) Second: Maintain intestinal microecological balance
Academician Li Lanjuan's team once said that the rational use of antibacterial drugs and the maintenance of intestinal microecological balance are the keys to preventing secondary bacterial infections. Doing a good job of enteral nutrition, supplementing probiotics, and reducing bacterial translocation are the key to reducing secondary infections. Artificial liver blood purification technology can be used to remove inflammatory factors in the body and improve the patient's condition.
3) Third: timely symptomatic treatment
When a patient just has symptoms such as fever, cough, and expectoration, use antipyretics, cough-relieving and expectorant medicines, and antiviral, heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines as soon as possible. Early symptomatic treatment can not only improve the uncomfortable state of elderly patients, but also slow down the deterioration of the condition and relieve the panic state of the patient. A good mood and strong belief are also the key to treatment.
Summarize
The elderly are a vulnerable social group and need more care and family care. A happy mood is a necessary factor for good health. When the epidemic does not know when it will pass, healthy diet, proper exercise, and good hygiene habits are also commonplace. When suspicious symptoms are found in the elderly at home, timely protection and going to the hospital are the key.
references:
[1]. Diagnosis and treatment plan for novel coronavirus pneumonia (trial version 9) [J]. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Diseases, 2022,41(05):449-457.
[2] Knowledge of prevention of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus infection [J]. Systems Medicine, 2022, 7(04): 199.