Will a “Yangkang” patient who visits relatives and friends who have not tested positive infect others? Doctors: There is a certain risk

Recently, many people infected with the new coronavirus have gradually recovered, but there are still some people who have not tested positive. These people are called by netizens as those who have entered the "finals" of epidemic prevention. As the countdown to the Lunar New Year begins, everyone starts to go home for reunions. So, can these "finals" players return home for the New Year with confidence? Are they more vulnerable than "positive and healthy" people? Will "positive and healthy" people infect relatives and friends who have never "tested positive" when visiting relatives? What matters should be paid attention to when visiting relatives and friends?

01

Will those who advance to the "final round" but are still "not positive" be more vulnerable than the "positive and healthy" group?

It is not difficult to find that some people around you have never tested positive. These people may have not been infected with the new coronavirus due to adequate protection and not too much social contact. At the same time, there are also some asymptomatic infected people, who may have been infected with other new coronavirus strains in the past and produced neutralizing antibodies. Regardless of the type of "non-positive" people, they should take personal protection when returning home during the Spring Festival.

People who have not tested positive do not need to be anxious or worried that the situation will get worse after they are infected with the new coronavirus in their hometown. In fact, the pathogenicity of the new coronavirus is related to the type of virus. At present, the Omicron virus strain is highly contagious, but the proportion of severe cases caused is relatively low, especially in young and middle-aged people. The symptoms of people who have tested positive again may be milder than the first infection of other new coronavirus strains, which is related to the existence of antibodies. The situation of people who have not tested positive for the new coronavirus is similar to the first infection of people who have tested positive.

People who have not tested positive should reduce gatherings after returning to their hometowns, such as temple fairs, markets, theaters, chess and card rooms and other crowded places. If you have fever or sore throat, you should rest on the spot and avoid social activities. If you have chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fever for more than three days without relief, go to the local hospital in time.

02

When people who are “positive” return to their hometowns to visit relatives and friends, will they infect relatives and friends who have not yet tested positive? What should we pay attention to when visiting relatives and friends?

Visiting relatives and friends is always necessary during the Chinese New Year. There is still a certain risk that those who are "positive and healthy" after returning home will transmit the new coronavirus to relatives who have not been infected through visiting relatives and friends. Because some people are not sure whether they are really "positive and healthy", these people may think they have recovered because their body temperature drops and their throat pain is relieved. In fact, the amount of infectious virus may still be detected in respiratory secretions. In areas where it is not convenient to test for new coronavirus nucleic acid or antigen, people who are uncertain about their "positive and healthy" status should avoid visiting relatives and friends after returning home, or reduce visits to relatives and friends who are elderly or have chronic diseases and are unable to move.

In rural or remote areas with limited sanitary conditions, some elderly people, pregnant women or patients with chronic diseases may face difficulties in seeking medical treatment once they are infected with the new coronavirus, which may affect or endanger their lives. Therefore, "healthy" people need to be cautious before visiting relatives and friends. Even if you are sure that you are "healthy", when visiting relatives and friends, don't forget to protect yourself, wear a mask, and reduce the chance of close contact.

Because everyone's physique is different, the degree of recovery of the "Yangkang" group is also different. There are many recovery problems in physical strength, breathing, smell, and nutrition during the Yangkang process. Visiting relatives and friends is inevitable to be tired, and fatigue, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and decreased appetite often affect the recovery of the "Yangkang" group. Therefore, it is beneficial to both yourself and others to arrange visits to relatives and friends reasonably and avoid fatigue.

Author | Liu Yongzhe, attending physician of the Department of Infection and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

Review | Gu Li, Director of the Department of Infection and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

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