Gyeonggi Health and Environment Research Institute Issues 'Advisory' on Respiratory Infections

Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has urged caution regarding infectious diseases as the detection rate of respiratory viruses has recently increased significantly.

According to the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment on the 2nd, the monthly detection rate of respiratory viruses recorded single digits such as 6.3% in February and 4.4% in March this year, but has been in double digits for four consecutive months starting from 38.1% in July, 34.0% in August, 22.9% in September, and 27.5% in October.

In particular, after the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an "Influenza Epidemic Alert" on September 16, the first case of type A influenza virus in the province was detected on the 24th of the same month. Detection of type A influenza virus in the province is the first since March 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19.

Influenza and acute respiratory infections are acute respiratory diseases caused by respiratory virus infections, mainly transmitted through droplets from the respiratory tract of infected patients, and can also be transmitted through contact with secretions of infected individuals.

The main symptoms include systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, as well as respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, and cough.

In most cases, acute respiratory infections are treated with symptomatic therapy such as rest, fluid supplementation, and antipyretics, while influenza can be treated with symptomatic therapy or antiviral drugs.

An official from the Institute of Health and Environment said, "As the occurrence of influenza and acute respiratory infections is increasing, it is essential to thoroughly follow personal hygiene and prevention rules such as wearing masks, proper handwashing, and cough etiquette," emphasizing, "It is especially important for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly to receive vaccinations."

Meanwhile, the Institute of Health and Environment is conducting the "Influenza and Respiratory Virus Infection Pathogen Surveillance Project" to investigate the prevalence of respiratory infections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.