An infectious disease specialist told what viruses that cause temperatures under 40 are replacing COVID-19

Infectionist Elena Esaulenko said that viruses with temperatures under 40 are displacing COVID-19. It is reported by “Doctor Peter”.

In St. Petersburg Rospotrebnadzor this week announced a seasonal rise in the incidence of influenza and SARS. The department noted that mostly schoolchildren of 7-14 years old and adults are ill.

“According to the results of monitoring the circulation of respiratory viruses, over the past week, parainfluenza viruses, rhino- and RS viruses (respiratory syncytial virus – Ed.) Predominate in the structure of positive findings, laboratory confirmed cases of influenza are recorded,” the report says. department website

However, not only the flu was to blame for the serious rise in the incidence of ARVI. According to Elena Esaulenko, head of the Department of Adult Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, St. This virus strain was included in the anti-influenza vaccine. But, in addition to influenza, there is another respiratory virus, which is very similar in symptoms to it and to COVID-19, but not so severe with the flow and possible complications.

As Esaulenko reported, from the 40th to the 47th week, rhinovirus dominated in the structure of acute respiratory viral infections in St. Petersburg – this infection is characterized by mild symptoms and course. And already from the 48th week (end of November) the situation has changed – cases of parainfluenza have appeared in the city, which eventually supplanted the rhinovirus.

“In the last 51st week (December 13-19), there was an increase in the incidence of the parainfluenza virus. Its symptoms are similar to both coronavirus infection and the flu. However, it has nothing to do with the influenza virus – they just have similar names. This is a separate virus, and therefore it is not included in the influenza vaccine – those who were vaccinated this season, the vaccine will not be able to protect against it, – says a specialist at the Pediatric University, ”she said.

Parainfluenza circulates in the population constantly, but the incidence traditionally increases in autumn and winter, when the air temperature drops, and there is a risk of catching a cold. It is easy for them to get infected from an infected person.

“This is not as serious an illness as the flu and COVID-19. If the form is not complicated, parainfluenza usually lasts 7-10 days in both children and adults, added the infectious disease specialist.