Volgograd residents explained the increase in incidence in September and ways to protect

With the onset of autumn, many people notice that they begin to get sick more often. According to the Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Therapy of Pirogov University Olga Sayno, the increase in the incidence in September is due to several factors related to changes in lifestyle and the state of the body itself.

Causes of September increase in incidence

One of the main factors is the return to the community. After summer holidays and vacations, children go to kindergartens and schools, adults return to work and study. Indoors, the risk of contact increases, creating a favorable environment for the spread of respiratory infections. In addition, changing the regime of the day – early rises, increased loads – requires adaptation and causes stress, which reduces the body’s defenses.

The weather also plays an important role. Autumn temperature changes, rain and cold wind increase the risk of hypothermia. During the heating season, the air in the rooms becomes dry, which leads to dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat - a natural barrier to infection. Dry mucous membranes cannot effectively trap viruses, and they penetrate the body faster. Another important factor is vitamin D deficiency, which reduces immunity and increases susceptibility to infections. This disadvantage is especially relevant in the autumn-winter period, when sunlight becomes less.

How to strengthen immunity

According to Olga Sayno, the preparation of immunity should be comprehensive. First of all, attention should be paid to nutrition. The diet should be rich in vitamins and antioxidants: vegetables, fruits, herbs, berries. Protein sources are important - meat, fish, eggs, legumes, since protein is necessary for the production of protective antibodies. Simple carbohydrates, on the contrary, should be limited.

No less important is sleep and rest. Adults are advised to sleep 7-8 hours, as well as engage in regular physical activity – at least 30 minutes of walking at an average pace daily. This helps to maintain immunity at the proper level. Maintenance of hygiene – constant hand washing after visiting public places and returning from the street, rubbing gadgets, keys and other commonly used items with sanitizers – reduces the risk of infection. It is also necessary to regularly ventilate the rooms and use humidifiers to avoid dry mucous membranes.

Timely rehabilitation of chronic foci of infection, if any, and work on stress management – hobbies, meditation, walking in nature – also contribute to strengthening defenses. Vaccination can reduce the risk of infection. Timely vaccination in early autumn (September-October) forms a sufficient level of antibodies before the onset of an active epidemic rise.

The importance of early preparation

Olga Sayno emphasizes that an early and integrated approach in the preparation of immunity is especially important - it is worth starting to take care of the body's defenses already in July-August. This will allow you to meet the autumn season fully equipped and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases. It is better to prevent the disease than to treat it and its complications.