Cómo prevenir enfermedades en primavera: guía para toda la familia

Title: How to Prevent Diseases in Spring: A Family Guide. Profile: Experts from the Yiyang Central Hospital present a guide to preventing common infectious diseases this spring. Keywords: ['health', 'disease prevention'].

As temperatures rise, various pathogens also begin to activate. The unique temperature fluctuations of spring create favorable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. To help everyone enjoy this beautiful spring, experts from the Yiyang Central Hospital have developed this guide to prevent common infectious diseases in spring, to protect the health of you and your family.

1. Influenza.

It is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. After infection, it typically manifests with a sudden high fever, generalized muscle pain, fatigue, and headache, often accompanied by cough and sore throat. Overall symptoms are more severe than those of a common cold. The entire population is susceptible, and pregnant women, babies, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases are at higher risk of severe illness after infection.

Key prevention: Annual influenza vaccination, frequent hand washing, maintaining indoor ventilation, wearing masks in crowded places, and resting and seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms appear.

2. Chickenpox.

It is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and direct contact with the fluid from the blisters, and it is highly contagious. Typical symptoms include the appearance of red rashes all over the body, papules, clear blisters, and crusts, accompanied by itching, and it may be associated with fever. It is mainly observed in unvaccinated children and can cause outbreaks in educational institutions and childcare centers, as well as other places where people congregate.

Key prevention: Vaccination against chickenpox; the patient should be in isolation until all blisters are crusted.

3. Mumps.

It is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact. It is characterized by swelling and pain of the parotid glands, which intensifies when chewing or eating acidic foods, and may be accompanied by fever and headache. It mainly affects unvaccinated children and adolescents and spreads easily in crowded places such as kindergartens and schools.

Key prevention: Vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, maintaining good personal hygiene, and the patient should be in isolation until the swelling of the salivary glands has completely resolved.

4. Norovirus infection.

It is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route and aerosols. The onset of the disease is sudden, with main symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In children, vomiting is more common, while diarrhea is more frequent in adults. The entire population is generally susceptible, and outbreaks often occur in childcare centers, schools, nursing homes, and other congregational settings.

Key prevention: Frequently wash hands, pay attention to food and water hygiene, use protective equipment when handling vomit, and clean with chlorine-based disinfectants.

5. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

It is primarily transmitted through close contact and respiratory droplets. Its typical feature is the appearance of small blisters or rashes in areas such as the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks, often accompanied by fever. It mainly affects children under 5 years old, with nurseries and childcare centers as the main outbreak locations.

Key prevention: Vaccination against inactivated enterovirus 71 for children aged 6 months to 5 years can effectively prevent severe diseases. It is important to maintain personal hygiene and strengthen the immune system.

6. Measles.

It is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and can also be transmitted indirectly by contact with contaminated objects, being highly contagious. After infection, it commonly presents with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Distinctive Koplik spots may appear in the oral cavity, followed by the onset of a maculopapular red rash all over the body.

Primarily, children who have not been vaccinated are susceptible to epidemic outbreaks in places with high population density, such as nurseries and schools. Unvaccinated adults or those who have never had measles can also become infected.

Key prevention: Measles vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.

7. Febrile syndrome with thrombocytopenia.

It is mainly transmitted through tick bites, begins acutely with fever, and is characterized by decreased platelets and white blood cells. It is often accompanied by fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, neurological symptoms such as bleeding, skin bruising, drowsiness, and confusion may appear. People engaged in outdoor activities in endemic areas, such as farmers and tourists, are at high risk of infection.

Key prevention: When engaging in outdoor activities, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, use insect repellent, and avoid sitting or lying on grass or shrubs for prolonged periods. If bitten by a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove it vertically and disinfect the area immediately. Then, keep a close watch, and if fever or other symptoms appear, seek medical attention without delay.

Despite the variety of infectious diseases in spring, 'prevention' is always the most cost-effective health strategy. Key points include: vaccination, frequent hand washing, good ventilation, attention to hygiene, mosquito control, and timely medical consultation. The more knowledge we have, the more protection we will have. Let us safeguard our health through scientific habits and embrace the warm sun and spring breeze with confidence in the Year of the Wood Horse.

References.

1. National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Diagnosis and treatment protocol for influenza (2020 version) [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2020, 13(6): 401-405, 411.

Wang Changtai, Li Jinyu, Xia Guomei et al. Pharmacological treatment guide for febrile syndrome with thrombocytopenia (2025 version) [J]. China New Medicines Journal, 2026, 35(6): 1-12.

3. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Technical guide for the investigation and control of norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks (2025 version) [J]. International Journal of Virology, 2025, 32(5): 360-367.

Hunan Yiliao guest author: Li Wencheng, Department of Infectious Diseases, Yiyang Central Hospital.

Expert guide: Wang Deqiang, Chief of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Chief Physician.

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(Edited ZS)