Russian schoolchildren are mowed down by an “unknown virus”: why half of the class is sick

Parent forums are filled with reports that schools have been taken over by some kind of virus. And the more children fall down with a temperature, the more anxious mothers are. MK tried to find out whether such a high incidence is related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Only 16 out of 30 people came to our lesson today,” says the mother of 10-grader Vika from Moscow.

– And we had 12 children taken ill together with the class teacher. There are three more teachers on the substitution, – picks up another mother, from Yekaterinburg.

– I work at a music school, so no one came to my individual lessons today, and the teachers were mowed down. Temperature, cough, headache… Some did tests – not covid. Then what is it? – Muscovite Tatyana laments.

In other cities, the situation is no better, and parents are wondering if their children will be transferred to a distance learning. So far, teachers explain that there is no such information from directors. Setting for face-to-face training.

“We don’t have covid children among the sick,” a teacher from a school near Moscow shared with MK. – I myself, to be honest, go to class with a temperature. It’s so cold at home – it probably blew out. But I didn’t do the test, and many don’t, they are already tired of them.

“I’m sure that our children are being mowed down by some kind of virus that they don’t tell us about,” the mother of first grader Dmitry shared with MK. – My boy rarely gets sick at all, before studying, he was specially taken to the sea to gain strength, and as soon as he went to school, less than two weeks had passed – and already with snot and cough. And his friend has the same thing.

About what kind of “secret virus” attacked schoolchildren, young and old, we asked the experts.

“The autumn-winter period is the height of respiratory viral infections, it has always been like this, and this year is no exception,” the therapist told MK Denis Prokofiev. – Now in Moscow there are two main “directions” for both children and adults – a rotavirus infection and an acute respiratory viral infection. Covid also occurs, but quite rarely.

Why is everyone suddenly sick right now?

– The number one reason is, of course, the temperature conditions. We see that there is a sharp cold snap, parents dress their children either too warmly or, on the contrary, lightly. As a result, a temperature difference occurs, which leads to a weakening of the immune system, and, as a result, the child becomes very susceptible to viruses. At the same time, you need to understand that there are always viruses in the air, but as soon as the immune system gives up a little, a disease occurs. Taking into account the fact that kindergartens and schools are a closed space in which a large number of people sit, if there is no ventilation, a system for using antiseptics, etc., the body becomes susceptible to disease under certain conditions.

The second reason is the reduction of daylight hours. This greatly undermines the immune system: the child is undergoing restructuring, adaptation, a person is very dependent on this.

The third reason is that during the holidays the children visited other regions, communicated with different people, and it is likely that they brought some certain viruses home. And now they are actively spreading – the so-called regional migration of viruses that use a person as a carrier.

– How to counter these risks so as not to start the school year with a sick leave?

– It is desirable that the premises where their children are located be equipped with a recirculator irradiator, so that airing is regularly carried out in the classrooms. Be sure to give children individual antiseptics with them. And at the first symptoms of the disease, of course, you should leave the child at home. Now there is no such criterion that for this he must have a temperature of 37 or 38. If he complains of feeling unwell, it is better to isolate him from the group.

– Maybe something to take?

– Children do not need any prophylaxis in the form of oral antiviral drugs, but you can use a barrier agent – antiviral ointments. Also during ARVI, nasal interferons can be used. It works and protects well from viruses.

Family psychologist Evgeny Levin notes that a psychological factor can also influence the sharp increase in the incidence at the very beginning of the year.

– The saying “all diseases are from the nerves” is just the way here, – says the specialist. – In the summer, the children relaxed, the body adapted to a “lazy” lifestyle, to the established hot weather. And here it is necessary to change everything dramatically: and now you have to get up at seven in the morning, and learn lessons, and autumn has come with rains. And if you also went to a new class, the stress is aggravated. Of course, in this state, the child is more susceptible to viruses and will pick up even those that, in a good mood, the body would not notice. There is only one advice for parents: in addition to prevention in terms of health, fill the child’s life with positive emotions. Take him to the water park or take him to the pool, buy him a new school backpack or new sneakers, order pizza home.