“I’ve been suffering for the third week”: Russians are being knocked down by a sluggish virus

Rospotrebnadzor reported that the incidence of influenza and ARVI has sharply declined, but almost everyone is now surrounded by those who are ill in the acute phase. Moreover, many, having only recovered, fall ill again and continue to be ill for weeks. What is happening and how to deal with it, MK found out

At the end of February, Rospotrebnadzor reported a decrease in the incidence of influenza and ARVI in Moscow by 41%. If we talk about Russia, the incidence rate throughout the country during this time fell by an average of 18% (and COVID-19 by 8.7%). Influenza A(H3N2) virus still predominates in the structure of influenza viruses, while an increase in the share of influenza B viruses is observed. The share of non-influenza viruses accounts for more than 80%.

Meanwhile, Muscovites continue to cough and sneeze. Moreover, many people suffer from some kind of lingering colds. “I’ve been having conjunctivitis for three weeks now,” says 43-year-old Muscovite Alevtina. – My daughter, she’s 20, had ARVI with a high fever for a week. Then she went to the doctor and was discharged. And in the evening the temperature returns. And it’s been like this for three weeks, every day about 37.5.”

“I got sick in mid-February, was sick for a week and a half and began to recover,” says 50-year-old Nikolai. – Only a few days passed – and my head started to hurt again, aches in my joints appeared, and my nose was stuffy. It’s almost the same with my son, we support him together.”

“Probably 50% of our employees are not at work right now,” shares office worker Marina. – Moreover, many have been sick since the beginning of February – in waves. Some people go to work and then fall down for the second time.”

“There is a respiratory infection raging around, both adults and children are getting sick,” one metropolitan doctor told MK on condition of anonymity. – There is quite a lot of Covid. And sometimes it is quite difficult. Now we are suffering with our child – already 3 months after Covid with an exorbitant fever, obvious post-Covid encephalomyelitis. Many self-medicate or do not undergo treatment at all, which often leads to very sad results. It seems like nothing special – snot and fever with weakness. But it’s still better to see a doctor.”

As the famous one told MK infectious disease specialist, professor Nikolai Malyshevmany respiratory viruses can develop a sluggish course:

– For example, now we are detecting a large amount of adenovirus, and it often has a wave-like course and can last quite a long time, easily three or four weeks. There is also parainfluenza now; it often leads to bronchitis and often drags on for a long time. In addition, there is a lot of streptococcal infection, which, as a rule, gives sore throats. Sometimes streptococcus sits quietly in the nose or throat, it doesn’t seem to bother you much, but it infects. And people can become infected with different viruses at the same time, the diversity is now very large, and one overlaps with the other. We must also take into account the fact that winter has just ended, people have lost all their reserves – energy, vitamins, immunity… We have experienced a whole series of holidays, which also undermine our health. So there are many reasons for viral infections that last a long time. By the way, another one is incorrect treatment, or rather, self-medication. Nowadays, you talk to anyone, many admit that immediately at the first symptoms of a cold they start taking antibiotics. For what, why?

– They shouldn’t be sold without a prescription, should they?

– Our people have supplies of medicines for several years, and very often they are expired. They pull them out of their bins – and are treated. They love to strengthen the immune system. I have had patients treated with antibiotics that expired three years ago. I’ll keep quiet, they didn’t need antibiotics at all, especially since their expiration date had expired. But people feel sorry for throwing away hundreds of rubles…

– What does hyperthermia mean after a viral infection, when the low temperature lasts for weeks?

– Here we need to find out the reasons in each case. For some, a temperature of 37.3 is not considered an increase at all. In addition, in addition to the respiratory virus, fever can be caused by bad teeth, tonsillitis (they last a long time), kidney problems, and much more. But often patients do not want to take care of themselves, but want to get well immediately and quickly. Men – sometimes with the help of alcohol.

– How to behave in the spring?

– We should try to visit crowded places as little as possible. Don’t forget about vitamins, proper nutrition, and physical activity. And fewer excesses – they definitely won’t improve your health.