Not before FLIRT: when flu and coronavirus will come to Moscow
A new strain of coronavirus FLIRT has arrived in Moscow. It is very contagious, because of which now almost a third of the city residents with acute respiratory infections are ill with it, said Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development. "Izvestia" found out what is the situation in the capital with morbidity, when the flu will come to the city and how to protect yourself and loved ones.
Situation in Moscow
In September, Muscovites are mostly sick with ARVI - rhinovirus and coronavirus. The epidemiological situation corresponds to the beginning of autumn, flu in the city is still almost absent, told "Izvestia" in the press service of the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for social development Anastasia Rakova.
For the last few years, regular monitoring of infectious pathogens has been carried out in the city. This allows to see the full picture of morbidity and promptly respond to it. Now, on the threshold of the autumn-winter period, Moscow again analyzed the situation with the sick to determine the dominant virus.
- We see that now rhinovirus (65%) and COVID-19 (27%) dominate among seasonal diseases. Other viruses occupy less than 10% in the structure - they are parainfluenza, adenoviruses, seasonal coronaviruses, bocaviruses, RS-virus, betacoronaviruses. The most common strain of COVID-19 in Moscow continues to be FLIRT, namely its genetic lines," Rakova said.
According to her, the new strain of coronavirus is usually tolerated easily - patients recover quickly, the disease passes easily and without complications. In general, the incidence of the disease is expected to increase in the near future, but, according to medical forecasts, it should be within the normal range.
Nevertheless, Anastasia Rakova reminded Muscovites of the need for timely vaccination against influenza. While in the city in a small number (less than 1% of the sick) identified influenza B, influenza A has not yet been detected - and therefore, it is time to take care of prevention, because the persistent immunity from vaccination is developed after about 10-15 days, said Deputy Mayor.
- Vaccination is the most effective and safe protection against influenza and its complications. You can get vaccinated in the city polyclinics or in mobile vaccination points at some metro, MCC and railway stations, - she added.
Seasonal infections
The increase in the incidence of viral infections always falls in the fall. But we are talking specifically about seasonal diseases, explained "Izvestia" the chief doctor of clinics "Semeynaya" Alexander Lavrishchev. As a rule, such viruses spread by airborne droplets, and this is the key to understanding their seasonality: people gather en masse in the city, returning from country vacations and vacations. And when it gets cold outside - the time of meetings in shopping centers and cafes begins, which further increases the factor of "crowding".
- Accordingly, it is easier for viruses to spread, infecting people. A century ago, this phenomenon could be explained by doctors with human sensitivity to cold (after all, the concept of circulation of fluids, heat and cold in humans in general originates from ancient times), so even today we can hear from patients the explanation of "colds": "You're the one with hypothermia" or "You just got a cold". In fact, all "colds" are viral diseases," says the doctor.
The acquisition of seasonality is part of the evolution of many viral infections, because globally the virus has two major strategies: the greatest infectiousness and optimal mortality (the virus is not "interested" in killing as many of its hosts as possible, because that would leave it without reproduction). Therefore, in the case of many diseases, we can see how they "weaken": after the "Spanish flu" at the beginning of the 20th century, influenza became seasonal.
- The same thing is happening now with COVID-19: we see a significant decrease in severe hospitalizations and deaths, but an increase in the number of cases that are of the upper respiratory tract type: runny nose, sore throat, hoarseness of voice. This makes it easier for the virus to spread, because coughing and runny noses are the easiest way to release its particles," explains the therapist.
According to LabQuest data prepared for Izvestia, from August 1 to September 22, 2024, the detection rate of coronavirus and other ARVI viruses more than doubled compared to the spring and summer period. In addition to the classic ARVI pathogens, several cases of severe infections in children were detected, the cause of which turned out to be enterovirus, which gave symptoms of ARVI: high, up to 40 degrees Celsius, fever, rash in the throat, weakness and lethargy.
Influenza and coronavirus situation
A new strain of COVID-19 called FLIRT, which was spreading in Europe in the summer, reached Moscow at the end of August, says Galina Tabakina, an infectious disease doctor at the FNCC FMBA of Russia. It is characterized by high contagiousness, so the chances of not getting infected by contact with a sick person are minimal.
- For healthy people this virus is not dangerous and does not cause serious complications. As a rule, recovery occurs within a week and hospitalization is not required. However, people with concomitant chronic lung diseases and weakened immunity should take special care and avoid crowded places," the doctor warns.
According to her, the FLIRT strain, as well as its predecessors, is dangerous for people over 60 years old, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and patients who have undergone organ transplants. People with heart and vascular diseases and diabetics are also at risk.
The disease itself presents with familiar symptoms: loss of smell, muscle aches, nasal congestion and sore throat. There is also still a risk of postcovitis syndrome - it can be a prolonged loss of performance, chronic fatigue and cognitive impairment associated with microthrombosis, which disrupts blood supply to tissues, adds Lubov Stankevich, PhD, Director of Laboratory Medicine and Production at LabQuest and Q-Clinica.
In the case of influenza this year doctors note positive dynamics. Cases of the disease are isolated and do not carry an epidemiological threat. As the infectious disease specialist Tabakina explains, this was achieved thanks to mass free vaccination, which began in September. At the same time, it should be understood that the peak of viral activity has not yet come: it is expected in mid-October - early November, so those who have not yet been vaccinated, can have time to do it.
- What strains will come, it is difficult to say yet - we do not know this for sure before the flu outbreak, but there will be a surge. In addition, we can expect to see an increase in co-infections - mixed viral infections. For example, when COVID-19 is combined with other viruses such as rhinovirus or adenovirus, the illness can be more severe. Co-infections are now expected to be greater than in previous years - double or even triple," concludes Lubov Stankevich.
Diagnosis and treatment
Many viral diseases have similar symptoms, so it is quite difficult to recognize the disease independently, says infectious disease specialist Galina Tabakina. Usually, almost all of them are expressed by an increase in body temperature, sore and scratchy throat, cough and runny nose, some (such as coronavirus) - loss of taste and smell.
- At any of the above symptoms, you should consult a general practitioner, who will conduct a rapid test to rule out influenza and COVID-19, - says the doctor.
In any case, adds Lubov Stankevich, it is important for the patient to correctly diagnose the virus in order to pick up the treatment. After all, different infections require different approaches: for some antiviral drugs are used, and for others they are useless. Depending on the virus, hospitalization or quarantine may be indicated, or neither may be necessary.
To prevent illness, doctors advise wearing masks in public places, washing hands more often, keeping a distance from people who show signs of illness and regularly ventilating office areas. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against influenza.
As Anastasia Rakova emphasized, in recent years Moscow has not registered a single case of severe flu complications among those citizens who have been vaccinated. Each year, vaccines are developed according to a single WHO recommendation against those strains that are most likely to circulate this season.
