Respiratory Infectious Disease Pandemic, Due to Immune Debt? ...Re-emphasizing Vaccination and Immunity
Mar 03, 2025
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The incidence of infectious diseases seemed to have decreased for a while after the COVID-19 pandemic, but the phenomenon of 'immunity debt' has been pointed out as the main cause of the rapid outbreak again recently.
Lee Hyuk, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Busan Good Samsun Hospital, said "During the pandemic, hygiene management such as distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands significantly reduced exposure to existing seasonal viruses, and as a result, natural immunity was not sufficiently formed. As a result, infectious diseases such as flu, RSV, and HMPV appear to be rapidly increasing. In particular, children with weak immune systems and the elderly have a higher risk of infection, so special attention is needed.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the number of flu cases is at an all-time high this year, and the number of infected and hospitalized patients continues to increase. In particular, the trend is remarkable among children and adolescents aged 7 to 18, which is pointed out as the main cause of transmission in dense environments such as schools and academies. In this situation, thorough compliance with personal hygiene rules plays an important role in preventing infectious diseases.
Vaccination is essential, and flu and COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and seriousness. If you have not yet completed the inoculation, we recommend additional inoculation even if it is late. In addition, wearing a mask and washing hands should be a part of daily life. Keep your mask indoors and wash your hands thoroughly after going out. In particular, when coughing or sneezing, it is important to cover with clothing sleeves and make hand washing a daily routine.
In addition, it is recommended to avoid the '3 wheat' (closed, dense, close) environment. To prevent infection, confined spaces with insufficient ventilation, densely populated places, and close environments in close contact at close quarters should be avoided. In particular, during the period of the spread of infection, refrain from going out and ventilate frequently indoors. As a healthy lifestyle for strengthening immunity, it is important to get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet, and increase immunity through regular exercise. Maintaining physical health is the most basic way to prevent infectious diseases.
"It is important to thoroughly observe personal hygiene and strengthen immunity through vaccination to prevent infectious diseases," Director Lee Hyuk said. "Maintaining the right lifestyle and developing immunity is the best way to stay healthy from infectious diseases after a healthy winter."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
