CrimeaPRESS reports:
Experts offer modern means of protection
Viruses don’t leave us alone. Just when Covid seemed to have calmed down, the flu began to attack this winter. And here is another misfortune — rotavirus.
The coronavirus pandemic temporarily shifted attention away from rotavirus infection, however, starting in 2022, it began to quickly regain its previous position.
Rotavirus statistics
If in 2019, according to Roskomnadzor, the incidence rate of rotavirus infection in the Russian Federation was 70.3 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, then by 2020 it decreased by more than 2 times — to 33.9. However, then rapid growth began — 49.8 in 2021, 61.7 in 2022 and, judging by preliminary data from the regions, in 2023 the incidence of rotavirus will be at least at the pre-Covid level. This year does not inspire optimism either — the consequences of catastrophic floods will certainly contribute to the spread of viral intestinal infections. And in the summer another problem will arise — Russian resorts are overcrowded in the current situation. During vacation, many people forget about the necessary hygiene measures, despite the fact that the risk of contracting an infection in public swimming pools and other crowded places is much higher. It must be remembered that the virus in water can remain viable for up to several months.
Dangerous symptoms
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Chief Freelance Clinical Pharmacologist of the Moscow Department of Health Marina Zhuravleva in an interview «Kommersant» notes with regret that a significant part of the population takes this problem very lightly. Many people believe that rotavirus infection is only vomiting and diarrhea: although unpleasant, they are temporary and not very dangerous symptoms. But this is a wrong point of view. The fact is that rotavirus disrupts the functioning of intestinal enzyme systems, and this can lead to dehydration and very serious complications, even fatal. Therefore, if you or your child have symptoms of rotavirus infection and there is a high risk of dehydration, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the disease.
Modern therapy
Treatment for rotavirus infection is most often aimed at combating symptoms and maintaining the required level of fluid in the body. For severe vomiting and diarrhea, doctors may prescribe special antiemetic or antidiarrheal medications. The most important thing is that by fighting only the symptoms, they do not eliminate the causes of the disease. In addition, side effects limit the use of these agents in the treatment of young children.
M. Zhuravleva points out that 82% of acute intestinal infections have a viral etiology, and in almost half of the cases it is rotavirus. It is also important to note that the symptoms of rotavirus differ little from other infections, such as adenovirus and norovirus. All this determines the effectiveness of the use of special drugs with a wide spectrum of antiviral activity in prevention and therapy. These, for example, include the Russian drug Arbidol, the expert explained. Numerous studies around the world, including Western European countries, the USA, and China, have shown that umifinovir can be used in the treatment and prevention of influenza A and B, coronavirus, other acute respiratory viral infections, as well as in complex therapy of rotavirus infection. The active substance of the drug, umifenovir, prevents viruses from entering the cell without affecting the immune system. Arbidol in the form of a suspension is approved for use in children from two years of age.
And we must always remember that timely initiation of antiviral therapy will not only speed up recovery, but also, what is much more important, will significantly reduce the risk of dangerous complications. And, of course, simple and well-known hygiene measures are of great importance in the prevention of intestinal viral infections. Wash your hands often, especially after visiting public places, wash fruits and vegetables, and be sure to boil water before drinking. Take care of your health!
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