“The most serious harm to health.” Incidence of influenza H1N1 rises in Russia Popova says most dangerous variant of influenza has arrived in Russia 00:13

The head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said that this year, the most dangerous variant of the flu, the influenza A (H1N1) virus, arrived in Russia. It can cause serious harm to the health of patients.

“Yes, the flu has come a long way this year. The most unpleasant thing in this situation is that the very version of the flu that causes the most serious damage to health has arrived. Influenza A (H1N1) virus… [Этот вирус] It caused the 2009-2010 pandemic,” he said on Russia 1 TV channel.

H1N1 has a high potential to spread, and deaths are not uncommon in the elderly and immunocompromised.

According to the department head, the minimum incubation period for the onset of symptoms can be from a few hours to seven days.

At the same time, swine flu, coronavirus and other respiratory infections begin in the same way: the patient has a general malaise, fever rises. “There are no specific symptoms. All the symptoms are more or less the same, ”Popova concluded.

He said the Russian health system is ready for an increase in the number of cases. Patients are advised not to try to diagnose and treat the disease on their own, but to consult a doctor immediately.

advanced level

Rospotrebnadzor said that swine flu was detected in 74 regions of Russia.

An increased incidence of influenza and SARS among adults and children was also noted in the capital. Its incidence is particularly common among adults and children aged 7-14 years.

As emphasized in Rospotrebnadzor, the most effective way to prevent the flu is vaccination.

Letters were sent to schools requesting that the entire class be sent to distance learning if more than 20% of students were sick.

three waves

Infectious disease doctor Evgeny Timakov estimated There are three flu waves during the current epidemic season. According to the expert, the first wave is currently underway, the second is expected after the New Year holidays, and the third – at the end of February.

“Each type of flu has its own immunity. You may have the flu more than once. “The quadruple vaccine provides protection against major strains.”

According to him, the current increase in incidence will subside in two to three weeks.

Masks and vaccines

Earlier, the head of the Russian Ministry of Health, Mikhail Murashko, urged Russians to wear masks due to the increase in cases of SARS and flu. The minister also stressed that there is no shortage of anti-flu drugs in Russian pharmacies.

According to Murashko, all Russian flu vaccines effective Including against the H1N1 variant.

“The vaccines offered this season contain exactly all the preventive ingredients for the H1N1 strain, so the flu vaccine is definitely indicated and effective,” Murashko said.