Last week, the TASS-Ural news agency reported the first case of death in Yekaterinburg caused by swine flu (A/H1N1 virus). Previously, experts told about influenza prevention and treatment measures, providing citizens with medicines and working on the development of new drugs.
"Influenza is an acute viral infection featuring a rapid onset with a temperature rise (above 38 degrees) and sharp intoxication symptoms: an individual feels weakness, malaise, muscle pain, headache, eyeball pain. A slight cough, sore throat and runny nose may appear." This is how Marina Kholmanskikh, the chief out-of-staff specialist on infectious diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Sverdlovsk Region, reminded reporters of the disease's symptoms.
Andrei Yurovskikh, Deputy Head of the Office of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being in the Sverdlovsk Region, pointed out at a press conference:
"The epidemiological threshold for the ARVI and influenza incidence in the Urals has not been exceeded yet. Still, nonspecific preventative measures should not be neglected."
The press conference on influenza began with a small flash mob: the meeting participants entered the room wearing disposable respiratory masks, thus demonstrating a simple yet highly effective way to protect yourself.
Experts also noted that, in 2017, a half of the Sverdlovsk region residents got flu shots. Unprecedented figures were achieved all over Russia too. 46 % of the population was vaccinated.
If you get sick, the best thing to do is to immediately consult a doctor, emphasized the speakers.
"The severe form of the flu is characterized by such manifestations as respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema and cardiovascular inefficiency, which should be treated in an intensive care department and not always resolve favourably," explains M. Kholmanskikh, the chief out-of-staff expert on infectious diseases of the regional Ministry of Health.
The viral pneumonia is especially dangerous. Until recently, up to a thousand people died from this infection in the region annually. In 2017, 5 fatal cases were recorded. The risk group includes elderly people, children and patients with chronic conditions.
"The pharmacy network now offers a very broad range of drugs that can prevent the disease, such as homeopathic medicines - Anaferon, Ergoferon - and antiviral drugs - Tamiflu, Triasaverin and others," said the doctor.
Also, the Triazavirin antiviral agent is available in pharmacies. This is a unique development of Ural scientists: the Institute of Organic Synthesis, the Ural Federal University, the Influenza Institute and the Medsintez plant, which is the drug's manufacturer now.
Triazavirin's active agent is a synthetic analogue of purine nucleoside (guanine) bases featuring a pronounced antiviral effect. It has a wide range of antiviral activity against RNA-containing viruses, including the influenza virus.
“There are few drugs like this. As compared to other medications, Triazavirin has some advantages,” Vladimir Rusinov, Director of the Chemical Technology Institute of UrFU, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Chemistry and a co-developer of this unique medicine, demonstrates color charts (the comparison with other etiotropic remedies).
The effectiveness of this Ural antiviral drug is recognized by leading infectious diseases specialists. In 2017, Triazavirin was included in the Federal Clinical Guidelines for the influenza treatment as a drug with a direct antiviral effect (there are four recommended etiotropic drugs, including Triazavirin).
Why new drugs should be developed? The flu virus mutates very quickly. Virologists believe that every visit to a body makes the virus mutate. At the press conference, Vladimir revealed to reporters that Ural scientists go on to advance and develop new medicines.
The Ural population should not worry about any drug shortage in case of epidemics.
