Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
Uncle Wang has been feeling sick lately. He is 67 years old and worked as a firefighter before retiring. On weekdays, my body is quite strong, but I suddenly feel weak and cough non-stop. At first, he thought it was just a common cold, and he didn't get better after taking medicine for a few days.
His son, Wang Ming, was very worried and insisted on taking his father to the hospital for a check-up. In the hospital, the doctor carefully inquired about Uncle Wang's symptoms and conducted a series of tests. When the results came out, Wang Ming's heart sank to the bottom - positive for the new coronavirus.
"How so? My father usually pays attention to protection! Wang Ming asked incredulously.
The doctor sighed and explained, "Now the coronavirus has entered a new phase. Even if we take a lot of precautions, it is difficult to completely avoid infection. Especially for seniors over the age of 65, the risk is higher. "
Both Wang Ming and his father fell into deep thought. They begin to think back to their recent lives, trying to figure out the possible source of the infection. Was it accidentally touched when I went to the supermarket to shop last week? Or was it infected by droplets while walking in the neighborhood? Or was it brought back from kindergarten by a grandson? Possibilities flashed through their minds, but they couldn't be sure.
The doctor continued: "At present, the development of the new coronavirus has shown three major outcomes, and these outcomes are almost inevitable. We must face up to this reality, especially for elderly people like Uncle Wang, and we must be extra careful. "
Wang Ming asked eagerly, "Doctor, can you tell me more about these three endings?" How can we respond? "
The doctor nodded and began to explain in detail: "The first outcome is the seasonal epidemic of the virus. Like the flu, the coronavirus may have outbreaks every year. It is usually more severe in autumn and winter. This means that we need to live with the virus for a long time, and regular vaccinations become necessary. "
"The second outcome is the mutation of the virus. The virus is constantly mutating as it spreads, and new variants may emerge. Some variants may be more transmissible, while others may cause more severe symptoms. This requires us to keep an eye on the latest virus information and adjust our protection strategies in a timely manner. "
"The third outcome is a change in immunity. Over time, the population's immunity to the virus increases, but at the same time, immune evasion may occur. This means that even if you have been previously infected or vaccinated, you may be reinfected. "
After Wang Ming heard this, he couldn't help but feel a panic: "Then what should we do?" Especially an elderly person like my father? "
The doctor reassured, "Don't worry too much. While these outcomes may seem worrying, we have accumulated a great deal of experience in coping with them. The key is to take the right precautions and maintain good lifestyle habits. "
Doctors begin to detail some recommendations for older adults:
"First of all, it's important to have a regular routine. Getting enough sleep boosts immunity. It is recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep every day. "
"Secondly, a balanced diet should not be neglected. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, and supplementing protein in moderation can help improve the body's resistance. "
"Moderate exercise is also key. Doing about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day, such as walking, tai chi, etc., can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve immunity. "
"In addition, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. Basic protective measures such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks, and maintaining social distancing cannot be relaxed. "
"Finally, regular medical check-ups and vaccinations are also necessary. It is recommended to get an annual flu vaccine and a COVID vaccine as recommended by your doctor. "
After listening to the doctor's advice, Wang Ming and his father were relieved. Although the situation is dire, the risks can be greatly reduced if the right measures are taken.
At this moment, Aunt Li in the next hospital bed interjected: "The doctor is right! I'm 72 years old and I also contracted COVID some time ago. However, because of the usual attention to maintenance, the symptoms were not serious, and he recovered quickly. "
Aunt Li is a retired dance teacher and has maintained her figure very well. She shared her experience: "I went to the park every morning to square dance, which not only exercised my body, but also made a lot of friends. I also pay attention to my diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and eat less greasy food. "
Uncle Wang was very inspired when he heard this: "It seems that I also have to change my living habits." I used to think that I should enjoy life when I retired, but I didn't expect that taking care of my body is the most important thing. "
At this time, a young nurse walked into the ward and began to take the patient's temperature. Her name is Zhang Yan, and she has just joined the work and is very interested in the research of the new coronavirus. "Recently, a new study found that certain Chinese medicines may be helpful in preventing and alleviating COVID symptoms," she said. For example, qi tonic drugs such as astragalus and codonopsis can enhance immunity. "
Wang Ming was very interested: "Really? Then I have to buy some Chinese medicine for my father. "
Nurse Zhang added, "However, you must be cautious when using traditional Chinese medicine, and it is best to take it under the guidance of a doctor. Everyone's constitution is different, so it can't be used blindly. "
At this moment, the door of the ward opened again, and a middle-aged man walked in. He is Dr. Zhao and is a specialist in the respiratory department of the hospital. When Dr. Zhao heard that there was interest in the coronavirus, he stopped to talk to everyone.
"Actually, the coronavirus has brought us not only a physical threat, but also psychological pressure. Especially for the elderly, long-term social isolation can lead to depression, anxiety and other psychological problems. "
Uncle Wang nodded: "That's true." During this time, I was always worried that I would be infected, and I didn't even dare to go out, so I was bored at home all day, and I was very bored. "
"In addition to protecting our physical health, we should also pay attention to our mental health. You can stay in touch with friends and family through video calls, participate in some online activities, and maintain your social life. At the same time, it is also important to develop some hobbies, such as reading, painting, gardening, etc., which can help relieve stress. "
After listening to Dr. Zhao's words, everyone in the ward was thoughtful. The impact of the new coronavirus is far more than physical health, and how to maintain physical and mental health during this special period has become a question that everyone needs to think about.
Wang Ming suddenly thought: "Doctor, can you tell us how we can take care of ourselves at home if we are unfortunately infected with the new crown?" "
Dr. Zhao patiently explains, "If the symptoms are mild, it is true that you can take care of yourself at home. Take rest, drink plenty of fluids, and maintain a balanced diet. Some medications to relieve symptoms such as fever reducers, cough suppressants, etc., may be used. At the same time, you should pay close attention to the changes in your symptoms, and seek medical attention in time if you have difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, etc. "
Aunt Li interjected: "I heard that drinking some ginger tea and honey water also helps, is that so?" "
Dr. Zhao nodded and said, "Yes, these traditional methods do have some effect. Ginger tea can help relieve throat discomfort, and honey has the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving cough. However, it is important to note that these are adjuncts and are not a complete substitute for formal treatment. "
As the discussion deepened, the atmosphere in the ward became relaxed. Everyone is aware that although the new coronavirus poses a huge challenge, as long as we unite and take scientific precautions, we can definitely overcome this difficulty.
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