In 2021, one out of four Russians suffered ARVI, 76% of them are children

COVID-19 has taken one of the key places among viruses over the past two years, but experts note: we should not forget about other ARVIs representing a serious danger to human as well. Viral infections can often proceed in severe form and pose a particular threat to children. This and other issues were discussed at the VIII School/Conference "Allergology and Clinical Immunology".

A significant increase in the number of respiratory diseases was observed in 2021 – about 20%[1], 38 million cases were registered in total (every fourth Russian resident). In most cases viral infections are recorded in children – 76%[2] of all patients.

The difficulty of ARVI treatment in children is that some of their symptoms persist for quite a long time, for example, ENT disorder, prolonged cough and other disease manifestations that later transform into a new respiratory infection. As a result, there is a threat of a recurrent obstructive bronchitis development, chronic respiratory dysfunction, lung disease, and other more serious complications.

According to experts, it is important to remember about the effective immune rehabilitation for these patients and about an anti-inflammatory pathogenetic disease therapy in a proper time.

As a pathogenetic therapy, the experts suggest administering Azoximer bromide used in pediatrics for more than 25 years that demonstrates an immunomodulatory, detoxifying, antioxidant and moderate anti-inflammatory effects.

According to Vera Vavilova, MD, Professor, Chairman of the Regional Branch of the Public Organization "Russian Pediatricians Union" in the Kemerovo Region, Polyoxidonium®” drug administration for a respiratory infection treatment is effective both on the first day after the disease starting, and at a later date. The study results showed that in children who received Azoximer bromide, an improvement related to a local immunity, normalization of nasal breathing were noted; the ARVI symptoms (elevated body temperature, headache and myalgia, as well as the symptoms of acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract) were resolved 2 times faster when compared with patients who received only symptomatic treatment. There was also a decrease in the number of ARVI cases during the year.


“Polyoxidonium®” is recommended for use in children with recurrent infectious diseases, as well as in patients with severe respiratory infections, with allergic pathologies or comorbid conditions, i.e., with several diseases occurring simultaneously,”
— added Denis Usenko, MD, leading research scientist of the clinical department of infectious pathology of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor.

Experts noted that acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are also the reason for bacterial infections uprising because of the immunity reduction. ARVI often leads to sinusitis, tonsillopharyngitis and other diseases of the ENT organs that can subsequently lead to a chronic inflammatory process, transition of inflammation to the middle ear area, and otitis occurrence.


“When treating a patient, the doctor must understand when to use antibiotics, and when one can avoid them. Taking antibiotics without confirming the bacterial nature of the process can harm the body. We should remember that there are alternative drugs - decongestants, expectorants, immunomodulators. One of these immunomodulators is "Polyoxidonium®",
— concludes Irina Kirichenko, MD, Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, RUDN University.


1 compared to 2020.

2 The State report "On the state of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in the Russian Federation in 2021". Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, 2022.

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