We are currently in the high-incidence season for influenza. Schools, as crowded settings, are susceptible to the spread of respiratory infectious diseases. To safeguard the health of all students and maintain normal teaching order, students are advised to diligently study the following information on influenza prevention and control and conscientiously fulfill their personal health responsibilities.

I. Understanding Influenza: It Is Not the Common Cold  

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Compared to the common cold, it is more contagious, spreads more rapidly, and is more likely to cause severe complications such as pneumonia.

Typical Clinical Symptoms: The onset is generally acute, with symptoms including fever (some cases may present with high fever, reaching 39-40°C), often accompanied by chills, rigors, headache, muscle and joint aches, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and other systemic symptoms. Sore throat and cough are common, and there may be nasal congestion, runny nose, retrosternal discomfort, facial flushing, and mild conjunctival injection. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Some patients experience mild or no symptoms.

Key Point: Influenza has an acute onset with prominent systemic symptoms, whereas the common cold primarily presents with upper respiratory catarrhal symptoms (such as sneezing, runny nose) and generally milder systemic symptoms.

II. Routes of Transmission: Understanding How the Virus Spreads

Influenza has a high incidence rate, and the general population is susceptible. Transmission occurs primarily through the following routes:

1. Droplet Transmission: When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, virus-containing droplets are directly inhaled by susceptible people.  

2. Contact Transmission: The virus attaches to the surface of objects (such as doorknobs, desks and chairs, keyboards). After touching the contaminated objects with hands, people then touch the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes, leading to infection.  

3. Aerosol Transmission: In specific places ( crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated rooms), there may be a risk of transmission through aerosols.  

III. Personal Protection: Building the First Line of  Defense

The key to preventing influenza lies in adopting scientific and effective personal protective measures:

1. Frequent Hand Hygiene: Strictly follow the "Seven-Step Handwashing Method" — wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer under running water and rub for no less than 20 seconds. Wash hands immediately after touching public objects, before/after meals, or after coughing/sneezing. If handwashing is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  

2. Regular Ventilation: Open windows for ventilation 2-3 times a day in classrooms and dormitories, with each session lasting no less than 30 minutes.  

3. Wearing Masks: Scientifically wear a mask in indoor public places (classrooms, libraries, canteens, training rooms) or crowded areas.  

4. Avoiding Crowds: Except for class time, minimize visits to crowded and enclosed places. If you must go, wear a mask properly.  

5. Covering Coughs and Sneezes: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow. Throw used tissues into a lidded trash can immediately and wash your hands afterward.  

6. Strengthening Physical Health: Maintain a regular schedule, avoid staying up late, and ensure adequate sleep; keep a balanced diet to enhance nutrition; insist on moderate physical exercise.  

7. Vaccination: Influenza vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of contracting influenza and developing serious complications.  

IV. Scientific Prevention and Control: Reducing Transmission Risks in Your Surroundings

When influenza cases are identified in dormitories or classrooms, the following targeted disinfection measures should be implemented:

1. Enhance environmental ventilation:Open windows for immediate and continuous ventilation to reduce the concentration of the virus indoors.  

2. Conduct terminal disinfection: After the influenza case leaves, thoroughly disinfect the frequently touched surfaces in the dormitory (where the case lives) or classroom (where the case stays). Use a chlorine-containing disinfectant with an effective chlorine concentration of 500mg/L to wipe and disinfect doorknobs, bed rails, desks and chairs, keyboards, mice, light switches, faucets, etc. Wear gloves during operation.  

3. Manage personal items properly: It is recommended that influenza patients use their own tableware, water cups, and other personal items separately, and clean and disinfect them independently. Boiling or steam disinfection for 15 minutes is acceptable.  

4. Dispose of garbage properly: Garbage generated by patients (such as tissues, masks) should be treated as medical waste — put it into a special garbage bag, seal it, and then throw it into a trash can.  

5. Implement health monitoring: Students who have close contact with the case should strengthen self-health monitoring. Once flu-like symptoms appear, immediately wear a mask, seek medical attention or rest as soon as possible, report to the counselor in a timely manner, and avoid attending classes or group activities while sick. If severe symptoms such as persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or confusion occur, seek medical attention immediately.