How to prevent autumn infectious diseases

Generally, preventive measures against autumn infectious diseases mainly include frequent handwashing and disinfection, maintaining ventilation, wearing masks properly, receiving relevant vaccinations, and paying attention to food hygiene. The details are as follows:

1. Frequent Handwashing and Disinfection

In autumn, many infectious diseases spread through contact, making hands prone to contamination by viruses and bacteria. Washing hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds using the "seven-step handwashing technique" can effectively disrupt the structure of pathogens. After touching public items, use 75% alcohol wipes for preliminary disinfection, then thoroughly wash hands upon returning home to reduce infection risk.

2. Maintain Ventilation

Indoor activities increase during autumn, and enclosed environments facilitate pathogen growth. Opening windows 2–3 times daily for at least 30 minutes each time helps lower indoor viral concentration and introduces fresh air. Even in cold weather, ventilation can be done during warmer midday hours to balance warmth and health.

3. Wear Masks Properly

Masks help block droplet transmission and are especially important in crowded places such as buses and shopping malls. Medical surgical masks should fit snugly over the nose and mouth without gaps, effectively filtering pathogens like influenza virus and reducing the risk of inhalation infection.

4. Receive Relevant Vaccinations

Vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies and are an effective way to prevent specific infectious diseases. Before autumn arrives, high-risk groups such as the elderly and children can receive vaccines such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to build an immune barrier in advance and reduce the likelihood of illness.

5. Pay Attention to Food Hygiene

Intestinal infections are common in autumn. Food should be thoroughly cooked, especially shellfish and seafood. Raw and cooked ingredients should be handled separately to avoid cross-contamination. Avoid drinking untreated water, and always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them raw to cut off infection routes at the entry point.

In daily care, maintain regular作息 (sleep schedule) and a balanced diet, and consume adequate high-quality protein, vegetables, and fruits to strengthen physical immunity. If symptoms such as fever, cough, or diarrhea occur, seek medical attention promptly, minimize outings, avoid spreading illness to others, and conduct proper self-health monitoring.