Boosting your immune system in autumn and winter

Over the past week, the incidence rate of ARVI and influenza among the Russian population has increased and surpassed the baseline by 55.4% with the weekly epidemic threshold overstepped by 47.0%^[1]. Flu vaccination is still the most efficient method to combat the disease; however, preventive measures are of no less importance. This fact was the core of expert discussions held at the 2nd International Infectious Diseases Forum.

According to Vladimir Nikiforov, Dr. habil. med., Professor, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, doctors today rarely use the word “influenza” in their diagnoses, preferring “acute upper respiratory tract infection” and “community-acquired pneumonia”. However, the professor noted that this does not mean weaker circulation of the influenza virus. The 2022/2023 epidemiological season demonstrated a sharp increase in influenza cases concurrently with a decreasing incidence rate of coronavirus infection^[2].

Experts draw attention to how vaccination plays a crucial role in fighting infectious diseases. They also highlighted the additional supporting mechanisms that modern medicinal products utilize to provide support for the immune system. These medications can enhance immune responses and contribute to easier recovery when the disease is unavoidable.

In October 2023, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation included^[3] Polyoxidonium^® in the Methodological Recommendations named Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of New Coronavirus Infection as a product designed to strengthen immune defense and reduce the risk of contracting infectious diseases.

Sergey Zyryanov, Professor, Dr. habil. med., added that trials held within a group of patients with severe COVID-19 additionally treated with Polyoxidonium^® in the intensive care unit revealed an increase in the proportion of surviving patients of 50% versus 35% in the control group^[4].

Polyoxidonium^® helps to strengthen the barrier protection of mucosa against infections and develop the body’s resistance to viruses while reducing both excessive inflammation and the risk of infection with COVID-19 and influenza.