Today, the National Health Commission held a press conference to introduce the situation related to "seasonal solar terms and health" and answer questions from reporters. At the meeting, a reporter asked, with the arrival of autumn and winter, the number of patients with respiratory infections has increased. What are the sources of transmission for respiratory diseases? What are the differences in incubation periods for different respiratory infectious diseases? Will everyone get sick? How should we scientifically respond to the issue of 'one elderly and one young'? Chang Zhaorui, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that autumn and winter are the peak seasons for respiratory infectious diseases. Patients and some asymptomatic carriers are the sources of respiratory infectious diseases, and the pathogens that cause respiratory infectious diseases include viruses, bacteria, chlamydia, and mycoplasma. Viruses mainly include influenza virus, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, etc. Bacteria include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis, Group A beta hemolytic streptococci that cause scarlet fever, Neisseria meningitidis that causes epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, etc., as well as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Chang Zhaorui said that the pathogens that cause different respiratory infectious diseases are different, and the incubation period is also different, that is, the time interval between exposure to the pathogen and onset of the disease is also different. For example, the incubation period of influenza is generally 1 to 4 days, usually 2 days; Pertussis lasts for 7 to 10 days. Not all pathogens that come into contact with respiratory infectious diseases will develop symptoms, depending on the type of pathogen, the level of infectivity, as well as an individual's immune and health status, exposure level, and level of protection. Young children and the elderly are key populations for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases. Chang Zhaorui suggests that in addition to maintaining good personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle, measures should also be strengthened in the following areas: firstly, for respiratory infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, timely vaccination should be carried out according to the immunization program. Secondly, during the season of high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases, the elderly and young children should try to avoid going to enclosed and crowded places. If it is necessary to go, they should wear masks scientifically to reduce the risk of infection. The third is to strengthen daily monitoring of the elderly and young children. If symptoms such as fever and cough occur, timely medical treatment should be sought according to the situation, and medication should be taken scientifically and safely according to medical advice. During the medical treatment process, patients and accompanying personnel should take protective measures to avoid cross infection. In addition, if there are respiratory infectious disease patients among family members, try to avoid close contact with other family members, especially the elderly and children. (New Society)