Morning Reading | December 30: Focus on Health Every Day Files Prospectus

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection Shows Clear Seasonality, Mainly Occurring in Late Autumn or Early Winter, with a Peak from Mid-December to Early February. The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention introduced that RSV is one of the major pathogens causing acute respiratory infections in infants and young children. Studies have shown that over 60% of acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children and 80% of infections in infants under 1 year old are caused by RSV. Additionally, immunocompromised adults and the elderly are also high-risk populations for RSV infection.

 

There is currently no effective vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus infection available on the market. To prevent infection, it is recommended to wear masks when going out, wash hands frequently, ensure good indoor ventilation, and pay attention to personal protection. At the same time, regular physical exercise and enhancing the body's immunity are also effective ways to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection.

 

 

During fever, the demand for energy and various nutrients also increases. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that during the period of fever, it is necessary to replenish energy in time, ensure adequate protein intake, and drink more water to enhance the body's immune capacity and promote metabolism.

 

Increase the intake of high-protein and quality protein foods such as meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products to help restore the body's resistance. For example, poultry meat contains all essential amino acids and is an important source for obtaining high-quality protein. Drink more water; if sweating a lot, you can drink some light salt water or electrolyte beverages to replenish the water and minerals lost from fever-induced sweating, such as sodium and potassium. During the febrile period, consume more fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, rape, cabbage, citrus fruits, grapefruits, and kiwis, to enhance the body’s immunity and leverage the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of vitamin C. Cooking methods should involve steaming or boiling to maintain a light diet. If there are no dietary restrictions due to other diseases, you may moderately increase salt usage to replenish lost sodium and potassium from fever-related sweating and also to stimulate appetite.

 

 

Currently, the more common thermometers include mercury thermometers, electronic thermometers, ear thermometers, and forehead thermometers. Their temperature measurement principles are not entirely the same, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. How should home-use thermometers be chosen?

 

The Guangdong Association for Science and Technology pointed out that, for home use, electronic thermometers and ear thermometers are generally recommended due to safety and accuracy considerations (not suitable for infants under 6 months). Among these, the electronic thermometer is the most stable type of electronic thermometer, with usage methods and precautions similar to those of a mercury thermometer, making it most consistent with public usage habits. The ear thermometer measures the temperature of the eardrum, which best reflects the true body temperature, and is also regarded by most medical facilities as the optimal alternative to mercury thermometers. However, for hygiene purposes, disposable protective covers must be replaced when using an ear thermometer.

 

Muscle spasms are one of the common clinical symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis. A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that pickled cucumber juice may help alleviate muscle spasms in patients with liver cirrhosis.

 

All patients were required to clearly record the time, location, and duration of each muscle spasm episode. Meanwhile, once a muscle spasm occurred, patients needed to drink a spoonful of pickle juice or distilled water (one tablespoon or one squeeze) as required. Considering the harmful effects of excessive sodium intake, all patients were not allowed to consume more than three tablespoons per day. The entire trial lasted 28 days. The study confirmed that just one spoonful of pickle juice could terminate experimentally induced muscle spasms. This research provides new therapeutic insights for the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis. Researchers hypothesized that the acidic components in pickle juice terminate muscle spasms by stimulating the nerves in the oropharyngeal region.

 

 

The official website of the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has recently announced that the 5.1 class new drug, Bimatoprost Intracameral Implant, submitted by Allergan, a subsidiary of AbbVie, has been approved for clinical use. It is applicable for reducing intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT).

 

Bimatoprost Intracameral Implant is a long-acting glaucoma therapy that effectively reduces intraocular pressure. The product is a biodegradable sustained-release implant that can be inserted into the anterior chamber of the patient’s eye, slowly releasing bimatoprost over an extended period. Phase 3 studies have shown that most patients may not require additional treatment within one year after receiving the implant.

 

Reporter Liu Xu, organized for the Beijing News

Proofread by Lu Qian