Modern COVID resembles flu: doctors on the new wave of illnesses among children in Azerbaijan

In recent days, there has been a rapid spread of viral infection among children and adolescents, accompanied by high fever, vomiting, and severe weakness. In particularly severe cases, high temperature provokes seizures, which causes serious concern among parents and medical professionals, reports BAKU.WS with reference to lent.az

What is behind this wave of illnesses and is there a connection with coronavirus infection?

Pediatrician Shalala Polukhova in her commentary confirmed that cases of COVID-19 are indeed being detected among patients with similar symptoms.

"We are observing a significant increase in complaints of vomiting, severe weakness, and diarrhea accompanied by high fever. Approximately 50% of such patients test positive for COVID. The rest are diagnosed with viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract," she noted.

According to the specialist, this situation has a seasonal nature.

"This is directly related to the onset of the summer season. Rising air temperatures create favorable conditions for the activation of gastrointestinal and other viral infections. We observe such a surge in morbidity annually during this period. It is especially important to note that children under 6 years of age may experience febrile seizures even with a relatively low temperature of 37°C. This physiological reaction of a child's body to a rapid rise in temperature can occur at any time of the year," the pediatrician explained.

Sh.Polukhova emphasized the importance of preventive measures.

"For effective protection against disease, it is necessary to regularly and thoroughly wash hands, strictly observe personal hygiene rules, avoid crowded places when possible, and prefer walks in the fresh air. A balanced diet focusing on natural products, moderate sun exposure, and contact with nature also help strengthen immunity and reduce the risk of diseases. The most vulnerable to infection are children with weakened immune systems and those who have not received the necessary vaccinations. Rotavirus infection, which also affects the gastrointestinal tract, deserves special mention. To protect against this virus, infants at 2 and 4 months of age are vaccinated in the form of oral drops. Children who have been immunized are either completely protected from rotavirus or experience the disease in a mild form. At the same time, unvaccinated infants face severe symptoms - multiple episodes of vomiting (up to 20 episodes per day) and high fever, accompanied by diarrhea. The greatest danger is infection of infants, who suffer from the disease particularly severely and are prone to rapid dehydration," the doctor noted.

The pediatrician also warned that doctors often encounter patients in serious condition due to improper home treatment.

"The number of people infected with COVID has also increased significantly recently, but they mainly present with respiratory symptoms. Modern COVID more closely resembles classic flu. Characteristically, sometimes there is even no runny nose, but a persistent, prolonged cough is observed. Unfortunately, many parents, avoiding a visit to the doctor, choose incorrect treatment tactics - they independently prescribe antibiotics, prematurely interrupt the course of treatment, and make other mistakes. As a result, the child's condition rapidly deteriorates, which can lead to the development of pneumonia and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Recently, the number of cases with such complications has caused serious concern. We strongly recommend that parents refrain from self-prescribing medications to children. Any signs of illness require consultation with a specialist. Antibiotics are not medications for self-treatment, and interrupting their use can lead to the formation of antibiotic resistance and other serious consequences. Unfortunately, such dangerous practices are still widespread," she summarized.

Recall that the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan recently officially confirmed the circulation of the "Omicron" strain of coronavirus in the country.