Influenza epidemic 2019 in Russia - what to fear and how to be treated

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The concern of Russians about the situation in the country caused by the spread of influenza and pneumonia is natural. Since the beginning of 2019, the flu has been confidently attacking many regions of Russia, and the latest news is not comforting. The disease is dangerous, has many manifestations and varieties. It is important to know the symptoms and algorithms of action for the disease.

Which flu virus is coming in 2019

At the beginning of 2019, three types of influenza virus are known in Russia and in the world. They are designated by the Latin letters A, B and C. These types of the disease have much in common, but also important differences. In a period of increased epidemiological danger, several types of the virus may appear at once.

This information is reflected in the table.

Virus type	Characteristic	Is it causing an epidemic or not	Situation in 2019 in Russia
A	People and animals are susceptible to this type of infection. It is characterized by a severe course, fever, and dangerous complications. Can provoke pneumonia. There are many deaths among those who ignore prevention and professional treatment.	May cause epidemics, but usually occurs during the peak of type B activity	Two strains of this type of virus have been recorded in many regions of Russia since the beginning of 2019, the incidence threshold is close to epidemiological or exceeded it.
V	Only people get sick. Slightly easier to tolerate than type A, but also dangerous with complications.	Can provoke an epidemic. Usually it starts with this type	1 strain of this type has been recorded in many regions of Russia since the beginning of 2019, the incidence threshold is close to the epidemiological
WITH	It is quite rare, the manifestations are weaker than in the previous types.	Usually does not cause epidemics, rather rare	There are no officially registered manifestations

According to the latest news of 2019 on the spread of influenza infection in Russia, strains A / H3N2 and A / H1 / N1 (the so-called swine flu) have been identified in the vast majority of cases. Cases of the spread of type B infection have been recorded.

The situation is quite serious, considering that the A / H3N2 strain is quite dangerous, it is difficult to tolerate with prolonged fever, and provokes the development of pneumonia.

Flu epidemic in Moscow

The disease began its spread from the northern and northeastern directions of the country, Siberia and the Far East. Today it has reached epidemiological and similar indicators in many central regions.

In Moscow, according to the latest news, the situation is worsening, but the epidemiological threshold has not been exceeded.

Rospotrebnadzor cites data that more than 40% of Muscovites took care of their health in advance and were vaccinated against this serious disease. A calmer situation in the capital in relation to many regions where an influenza epidemic has been recorded is associated with this factor. At the beginning of February, there is no excess of the epidemiological threshold in Moscow and in the capital region.

Flu epidemic in St. Petersburg

The situation is much more serious in the northern capital. Here we can already talk about the development of the epidemic. According to official data, the epidemiological threshold in St. Petersburg exceeds the permissible indicators by 38.8% among the adult population and by 34.7% in the general situation.

Many schools are quarantined. Doctors urge to abandon crowded events, if possible, not to visit public places, to pay special attention to protection and prevention, both for adults and children.

Influenza 2019 in other cities of Russia

In other regions and cities of the country, the situation is not unambiguous. At the beginning of February 2019, it is still impossible to talk about the development of the influenza epidemic throughout Russia. There are quite calm regions, but in many regions the epidemiological threshold for this disease has been exceeded.

For example, in the Voronezh region. The situation here is the most serious in comparison with other cities. Exceeding the permissible limits was recorded by 34, 9% in general.

In Chelyabinsk, the excess separately for adults is 33%, the overall figure is 34.4%. These are the highest numbers. But in many cities of the Central, Ural, North-Western districts, the situation is similar. Quarantine has already been announced for schools and kindergartens here, and a mask regime has been introduced in organizations.

Unfortunately, we can say that the situation is getting worse. The possibility of contamination of the population in other areas remains high.

Symptoms in children

The latest news in Russia in 2019 is not comforting, the flu is spreading. The infection is very dangerous, especially for children. It is important to consult a doctor in time if you happen to get sick in order to make the correct diagnosis and start competent treatment.

Symptoms in children, which should alert parents, are similar, especially at the initial stage, with the manifestation of any ARVI.

The disease usually begins like this, with bright and sharp manifestations:

• fever, increased body temperature (thermometer readings can reach 39 or 40);
• headache;
• tiredness, lethargy;
• excessive sweating;
• aches all over the body.

The temperature usually lasts up to several days. Further, on day 2 or 3, the following may appear:

• cough, sore throat;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• soreness, sensitivity of the eyes;
• photophobia;
• upset gastrointestinal tract.

It is impossible to ignore any manifestations of infection, intoxication of the child's body. You need to immediately call a doctor or go to the clinic. If the virus is started to heal in a timely manner and correctly, the disease will go away, there will be no complications.

Symptoms in adults

Symptoms in adults are almost the same as in babies. The intensity of manifestations depends little on age. If the immunity is stronger, the manifestations may not be as pronounced, but the overall picture is the same. In 2019, many people are diagnosed with the so-called swine flu or another type A strain with similar symptoms.

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The main sign of the onset of such flu will be a sharp rise in temperature to high values, body aches and muscle weakness. After that, other manifestations of the virus are connected.

How and what to treat the flu of 2019

In order not to start the infection and prevent the development of a complication, it is important to know how to treat the flu, to seek medical help in time. Influenza is a viral disease. It must be treated with antiviral drugs. Any strains of influenza A and B that infect people are only affected by special drugs based on oseltamavir.

Trade names of these products:

• Oseltamavir;
• Tamiflu.

Under the influence of these drugs, the virus loses its ability to enter cells and stops developing inside the body. Symptomatic treatment is also necessary, a decrease in high temperature (above 38, 5), pain relief. Anti-inflammatory therapy will help alleviate the condition.

In addition, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and a pastel regimen during illness, as well as:

1. With the manifestation of gastrointestinal disorders, drugs are prescribed to normalize microflora, bacteriophages, intestinal antiseptics.
2. If a bacterial infection is connected, complications arise, then antibiotics are prescribed. This can only be done by a doctor.
3. When the disease recedes, a course of vitamins is prescribed.

It is important to remember that prevention is better than cure. Vaccinations protect against this disease and help maintain health and life.