Why does influenza keep causing recurrent infections?

Generally, the main causes of recurrent influenza infections include weakened immunity, failure to receive standardized influenza vaccinations, the high mutation rate of the influenza virus, coexisting chronic respiratory diseases, and weakened respiratory defenses after surgery. If influenza symptoms recur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a regular hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Weakened Immunity

Children, the elderly, individuals who frequently stay up late, and those suffering from malnutrition often have weakened immune systems that cannot effectively eliminate the influenza virus. The virus can then continuously replicate in the body, leading to repeated infections. It is important to ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and improve physical resistance in daily life.

2. Failure to Receive Standardized Influenza Vaccinations

Some individuals do not receive timely influenza vaccinations or fail to develop sufficient antibodies after vaccination, leaving them without specific protection against the influenza virus and making them prone to repeated infections. It is necessary to receive standardized annual influenza vaccinations under a physician's guidance. After vaccination, adequate rest is important and strenuous exercise should be avoided to promote antibody production.

3. High Mutation Rate of the Influenza Virus

The influenza virus undergoes antigenic changes every year, forming new viral subtypes. Antibodies produced from previous infections cannot recognize these new subtypes, leading to reinfection. It is important to timely receive the latest influenza vaccine each autumn, such as the quadrivalent influenza virus split vaccine or the trivalent influenza virus subunit vaccine, to provide targeted protection for the body.

4. Coexisting Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Individuals with chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis have impaired mucosal defense in the respiratory tract, making it easier for the influenza virus to invade and cause recurrent infections, which may also worsen existing conditions. Regular treatment of underlying conditions under a physician's guidance is necessary, using medications such as budesonide-formoterol powder for inhalation, salbutamol aerosol, and tiotropium bromide powder for inhalation to control airway inflammation.

5. Weakened Respiratory Defense After Surgery

After chest surgery, patients' respiratory structures and functions may temporarily be impaired, leading to reduced defense capabilities and making it easier for the influenza virus to invade and cause recurrent infections. Postoperative respiratory exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing and effective coughing should be performed under medical guidance to promote recovery of respiratory function. If symptoms such as coughing or sore throat appear, prompt antiviral treatment with oseltamivir phosphate capsules, zanamivir inhalation powder, or peramivir sodium chloride injection should be initiated to prevent worsening of the condition.

In daily life, it is important to wash hands frequently using soap or hand sanitizer for thorough cleaning. Indoor ventilation should be maintained by opening windows 2-3 times daily for 30 minutes each time. Close contact with individuals who have influenza should be avoided during flu season. If symptoms such as high fever or cough occur, timely rest at home and medical consultation are advised to prevent virus transmission and recurrence of illness.