During the influenza season, various diseases are at a high incidence period. How to effectively prevent and control viral infections in autumn has become a topic of concern for everyone. How to distinguish influenza and COVID-19 infection from symptoms? What are the differences in treatment plans for different viral infections? How to choose a flu vaccine? In what situations should antiviral treatment be administered as soon as possible? In response to these issues, a reporter from China Youth Daily and China Youth Network interviewed Chen Meifang, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University People's Hospital, and brought scientific prevention and control guidelines for the flu season. Reporter from China Youth Daily, China Youth Network: Recently, our survey showed that 19.1% of the respondents did not know whether they were infected with COVID-19 or influenza after the symptoms of influenza or COVID-19 infection. How can we tell from the symptoms whether it is influenza, COVID-19 infection, or superinfection? Chen Meifang: It is difficult to directly identify the clinical symptoms of influenza, COVID-19 infection or superinfection. The clinical symptoms of influenza mainly include: chills, high fever, fatigue, muscle soreness, headache and other systemic blood poisoning symptoms, and can also be accompanied by cough, sore throat, runny nose and other respiratory symptoms. Overall, the symptoms of systemic toxic blood are severe, while respiratory symptoms are relatively mild. Abnormal sense of smell and taste is the unique accompanying symptom of COVID-19 infection. Early identification and clear diagnosis require simultaneous detection of antigen and nucleic acid of novel coronavirus and influenza virus. Antigen testing can be done at home, but it is important to strictly follow the instructions for sampling to avoid false negatives. Due to the low early positive rate, some require continuous testing multiple times. If infection cannot be ruled out, nucleic acid testing is required, as the sensitivity of nucleic acid testing is higher than that of antigens. Antibody testing can be used in the later stages to assist in a clear diagnosis. Reporter from Zhongqing Daily and Zhongqing Net: Do influenza and COVID-19 infection need to be treated according to the situation? Chen Meifang: Anti viral therapy is an important means of treating and controlling two types of viral infections, so the overall principle of both is that antiviral treatment should be carried out as soon as possible, the earlier the better. But there are still some differences in treatment between the two. Anti influenza virus treatment should be carried out within 48 hours as much as possible to reduce complications, reduce mortality, and shorten hospital stay; Of course, critically ill patients who have been diagnosed for more than 48 hours can still benefit from it. Immediate antiviral treatment should be initiated for suspected or confirmed influenza patients, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not: 1) Patients who need to be hospitalized due to influenza, regardless of the duration of illness before hospitalization; 2) Patients with high-risk factors for severe influenza, regardless of the duration of onset before the visit; 3) Patients seeking outpatient and emergency treatment, with severe illness, regardless of the duration of the onset; 4) Patients who are not critically ill and do not have high-risk factors for severe influenza should fully evaluate the risks and benefits, and consider whether to give antiviral treatment. However, during the influenza epidemic season, in order to prevent transmission, such patients, regardless of whether they have received the influenza vaccine or not, should consider antiviral treatment as long as they meet one of the following conditions: A. symptomatic patients, and family members in contact with them who have high-risk factors for severe influenza (especially those with severe immune function impairment). B. Medical staff with symptoms and routine treatment/care for patients with high-risk factors for severe influenza (especially severe immune function)