Hygiene and prevention remain key prevention measures for ARI – doctor

Patients are increasingly complaining of protracted periods of colds: only completed one episode, and soon begins a new one. This is due to a wide range of viruses that are constantly circulating in the ARI season. This was during the briefing “Health of the nation: prevention of ARI – from recommendations to habit”, said associate professor of the Department of General medical practice with a course of geriatrics and palliative medicine BSMU, candidate of medical sciences Natalia Klimovich, writes sb.by.

- For example, rhinovirus has more than 150 strains, and the infection does not form immunity to all others. From September to mid-spring, a person is faced with a variety of new viral variants. Some infections can be prevented by vaccination. In other cases, the decisive factor is human behavior and communication culture. Airborne infections spread quickly, and upon contact with the patient infection is almost inevitable. The disease may not always develop, but the fact of infection is almost guaranteed. Therefore, responsibility for your own health begins with a simple step: when symptoms appear, you need to stay home, not visit teams and give the body time to recover to avoid complications.

The culture of communication includes basic hygiene habits. Washing hands after the street, before eating, after contact with surfaces is a simple and affordable measure that really reduces the risk of infection. The coronavirus pandemic cemented useful skills: the use of antiseptics, masks, keeping a distance when signs of infection. It is important to preserve these practices, especially when visiting clinics and medical centers, where the likelihood of meeting a person with an infection is higher.

- Such measures should not be perceived as pressure or coercion - neither against children nor against adults, Natalia Klimovich added. It should be a habit, a natural part of everyday behavior. If a person with symptoms of infection appears in the team, he must temporarily leave it until recovery. Prevention is always easier and more effective than treatment.