In early winter, respiratory diseases in children enter a high-risk period, and the outpatient volume of pediatrics in major hospitals continues to rise. Recently, Li Jiujun, Vice President of the Children's Hospital of China Medical University and Director of the Pediatric Respiratory Department of Shengjing Hospital, gave an interview to interpret the current epidemic characteristics of respiratory diseases in children, and called on parents to scientifically distinguish the severity of their children's conditions, avoid centralized medical treatment for mild cases, and reduce the risk of cross infection. Li Jiujun pointed out that since the seasonal change in November, respiratory system diseases in children have continued to increase, with the peak number of pediatric emergency visits reaching five to six hundred per day. From the distribution of pathogens, "H1N1" virus ranks first, followed by "respiratory syncytial virus" and "rhinovirus", which also account for a certain proportion. The transmission of these three viruses is the main reason for the current increase in medical visits. Regarding how to distinguish the severity of the illness, Li Jiujun emphasized that the key is to observe the child's mental state. If a child has a good mental state and can still eat and play normally even if their fever reaches 38-39 ℃, it is considered a mild condition and there is no need to rush to the hospital. This type of child can take oral medication, rest more, drink more water, and maintain a light diet at home. Usually, symptoms can be relieved in about 5 days. Once high fever accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, mental fatigue, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or anuria occurs, it may indicate severe illness and prompt medical attention is needed. In terms of home care, Li Jiujun suggests maintaining indoor ventilation, ensuring that children have sufficient rest, providing light meals, and maintaining water intake. For children with mild symptoms, they can take traditional Chinese medicine preparations that are antiviral or cough suppressant according to medical advice. In terms of prevention, Li Jiujun proposed three key measures: first, avoid taking children to crowded public places; Secondly, maintain ventilation in the home environment; Thirdly, it is recommended that children over 6 months old, children under 5 years old, and elderly people over 65 years old receive timely influenza vaccination to effectively prevent the occurrence of severe illness. Li Jiujun stated that in the face of the current high incidence of respiratory diseases, parents should maintain rationality, help their children get through this stage through scientific prevention, timely identification, and correct care, while leaving emergency resources for critically ill children who need them the most. (New Society)