Recently, the news released by China's Disease Control and Prevention said that the recent increase in influenza activity in many places in China was caused by the subtype of influenza A (H1N1) virus. How to recognize, treat and prevent the flu? To this end, the reporter from First Financial interviewed Hu Yang, the deputy chief physician of Shanghai Lung Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, hoping to provide some reference. First Business: How to distinguish the symptoms of influenza A and COVID-19? Will the two superimpose infection? Hu Yang: influenza (hereinafter referred to as influenza) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus. Human influenza is mainly caused by influenza A and B viruses, and influenza A is caused by influenza A virus. Although influenza starts from upper respiratory tract infection, it can develop into systemic symptoms. In addition to some respiratory symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache, systemic pain, chills, etc. In fact, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19. In terms of fever and chills, COVID-19 may be more obvious. From my own clinical observation, it is rare for me to be infected with influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, and most of the influenza like cases are influenza after detection. First Finance and Economics: What are the main methods to detect influenza in clinic? Hu Yang: There are nucleic acid detection, antigen detection and antibody detection for influenza in clinic, but nucleic acid detection is used most frequently, mainly because of its high accuracy and relatively fast time to produce results. First Finance and Economics: Do you have to take antiviral drugs after catching influenza? How to choose antiviral drugs? Hu Yang: For most influenza patients, because the disease is self-limited, it usually lasts for about two or three days, and most of them can relieve themselves in one or two weeks. Taking common cold medicine can relieve symptoms. If you want to get better faster, you can use antiviral drugs for treatment, but you need to take them early. Influenza antiviral drugs include oseltamivir, zanamivir, paramivir and other neuraminidase inhibitors and mabaloxavir. The neuraminidase inhibitor is used to inhibit the activity of neuraminidase on the surface of the influenza virus. The influenza virus can only be separated with the help of neuraminidase after it is replicated and matured in the infected cells. Such antiviral drugs can inhibit neuraminidase, thus preventing the virus from infecting the new host cells again. Among neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir is currently the most widely used. The choice of antiviral drugs should be based on the actual situation of patients and the availability of drugs. In addition, it is suggested to standardize the use of drugs under the guidance of doctors. First Finance and Economics: What should we pay attention to when the elderly and children are infected with influenza? Hu Yang: The elderly and children are more likely to have serious complications after being infected with influenza, such as pneumonia and even myocarditis. Therefore, they can use antiviral drugs as soon as possible under the guidance of doctors. In addition, we should take full rest, drink more water, and eat easily and nutritious. First Finance and Economics: How to prevent the flu season scientifically? Is it still too late to vaccinate against influenza? Hu Yang: Keep hands clean every day