Acute respiratory infections and flu during the COVID-19 pandemic. What to expect in 2021–2022?

Abstract

This paper discusses the spread of the most common causative agents for respiratory viral infections, i.e., respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (IV), during seasonal peaks and under the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and epidemic control measures reduced the transmission of some respiratory viral pathogens. The authors specify the risks of changes in RSV epidemiology associated with restrictions and their lifting. Possible scenarios of virus "behavior" in 2021–2022 are represented. These scenarios include the return of variants registered at the end of 2019 and the risk of the emergence of a novel strain of zoonotic flu that may result in a novel viral pandemic. It was demonstrated that effective monitoring of causative agent circulation, timely specific prophylaxis (particularly in high-risk groups), and early effective antiviral therapy are crucial irrespective of the possible scenario of respiratory viral infection. Modern principles of complex flu and acute respiratory viral infection treatment using an antiviral agent based on rimantadine and sodium alginate are addressed. KEYWORDS: flu, COVID-19, pandemic, respiratory syncytial infection, children, treatment, rimantadine, sodium alginate. FOR CITATION: Usenko D.V., Tkhakushinova N.Kh., Shaturina T.T. et al. Acute respiratory infections and flu during the COVID-19 pandemic. What to expect in 2021–2022? Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(11):721–727 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021- 5-11-721-727.