Russia (bbabo.net), - The incidence of the new coronavirus, alas, remains quite high. Along the way, the number of cases of seasonal influenza and SARS is growing. The symptoms of these diseases are very similar, therefore, experts, based on the Temporary Guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, suggest starting treatment from the first days of the disease, including over-the-counter drugs.
It is impossible to establish the causative agent of SARS without laboratory diagnostics. Until the information on the PCR test arrives, even a specialist does not understand which virus caused the disease state, - explains Elena Kareva, Professor and Doctor of Medical Sciences of the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Radiobiology of the Pirogov Medical University, Professor of the Department of Pharmacology of the Sechenov Medical University.
“The problem is that viruses multiply very quickly, so the tactics against them are very simple - the sooner you start treating, the more effective the therapy,” she says. “Therefore, you need to start taking drugs with broad antiviral activity as soon as possible, which will inhibit virus into the cell and its reproduction is already inside the human cell. This approach is correct and rational."
On the very first day of illness, it is necessary to take measures to protect yourself or make the prognosis of the disease more favorable, - such an opinion was expressed by Dr. Oksana Gizinger, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The specialist advises to focus on drugs recommended for the treatment of seasonal acute respiratory viral infections.
“The outpatient stage should also be accompanied by drug therapy,” says Oksana Gizinger. “A doctor’s visit may be delayed, for example, due to a large number of patients. Therefore, you should not just sit and wait for him to arrive. It is important to start taking broad-spectrum antiviral drugs on time.”
The main reference point, according to her, is the Interim Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19), updated and published by the Russian Ministry of Health. The current version is already the 14th version of this document, which was prepared by the country's leading experts, taking into account all the latest trends, accumulated clinical experience and scientific knowledge.
Some treatment regimens have been revised in the latest version of this document. For example, etiotropic therapy is optimized towards the use of more effective approaches. In addition, the importance of using direct-acting antiviral drugs at the very first symptoms, preferably with a wide spectrum of activity (not only against seasonal influenza, but also against COVID-19, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and various strains of coronoviruses) and with good tolerability, was once again noted.
At the same time, the “manual” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation suggests: “taking into account the similarity of the clinical picture of mild forms of COVID-19 with the clinical picture of seasonal acute respiratory viral infections, before confirming the etiological diagnosis, the treatment regimens should include drugs recommended for the treatment of seasonal acute respiratory viral infections, such as intranasal forms of IFN -α, preparations of IFN inducers, as well as antiviral drugs with a wide spectrum of activity.
Thus, the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation include various antiviral drugs of other classes, such as favipiravir, remdesivir, budesonide, etc.
It is interesting to note that the results of two studies of one of these antiviral drugs listed in the manual were recently presented to the public. Scientists from India and Russia conducted parallel studies of the umifenovir molecule (this is the active substance of Arbidol). The results of the study showed that the molecule of this drug can successfully block the entry of the virus into cells.
Many of the drugs listed in the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation can, among other things, directly act on viruses without affecting human immunity (this mechanism of action on specific proteins of viruses has been well studied). They can also be used for prevention, which is convenient in the case of over-the-counter drugs. And it’s not difficult even for a simple person to figure out what and how: all application schemes are detailed in the instructions. For example, the same "Arbidol", like some other antiviral drugs, has two possible schemes of application - therapeutic and prophylactic.
“An elementary rule of pharmacology says: “If a patient wishes to obtain the declared efficacy and safety of a drug, please kindly follow the instructions for its use,” reminds Elena Kareva.In general, the duration of the use of antiviral drugs depends on the life cycles of the microorganisms themselves, which is clearly taken into account by the prevention and treatment schemes. And if you follow the instructions, you can achieve optimal efficacy and safety, while the risk of developing resistance of viruses to the drug will be minimal. This is necessary so that the next time with a disease, the previously used drug also works effectively, actively counteracting viruses.
“Sometimes a person, feeling better, stops taking this or that drug, because he believes that he no longer needs such help,” Oksana Gizinger gives an example. for example, an increase in temperature. Therefore, it is very important to follow everything that is written in the instructions for the drugs, follow all the rules and terms for taking them, otherwise you may not get the desired effect, and if necessary, consult a doctor. "
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