The doctor told about the danger of acute respiratory viral infections in children

Against the background of the growing incidence of acute respiratory viral infections in Russia, experts warn that children with asthma are in a special risk group. Honored Doctor of Russia, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Olga Zaitseva told Izvestia on February 2 why an ordinary cold can become a threat to asthmatics and how parents can reduce the risks.

According to her, a respiratory infection, even a mild one, in a child with asthma can cause a severe attack or provoke the debut of the disease. Viruses damage the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, increasing inflammation and bronchial spasm, leading to coughing, wheezing and choking.

"With uncontrolled asthma, the risk of hospitalization and development of asthmatic status, a life-threatening condition, increases many times over," Zaitseva stressed.

The doctor drew attention to a dangerous trend: some parents independently refuse long-term baseline therapy, capable of bringing the disease under control, and the reason for this serious, sometimes life-threatening mistake is the myth about the "harm of hormones."

"Lack of correct therapy leads to progression of inflammation. ARI, in turn, can trigger an asthma exacerbation, especially if the asthma is uncontrolled. Parents are often wary of hormone therapy, but inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICGS) are fundamentally different from the systemic hormones with which they are often confused. Thus, just one myth about the harm of hormones creates a vicious circle that can seriously harm the child's health," Zaitseva explained.

According to the professor, to recognize the exacerbation in time is an important task for parents. Increased coughing, night awakenings, wheezing breath in acute respiratory viral infections - a reason to urgently contact a doctor - pediatrician, pulmonologist, allergist. To protect the child in the future, prevention is key.

"IHCS - the gold standard of asthma treatment. They act locally - only in the airways, practically not absorbed into the blood. This minimizes the risks of side effects such as weight gain or weakened immunity, making the drug safer," the expert said.

Parents also need a clear "plan of action", which will prompt the doctor: how to manage the symptoms of an exacerbation, when and how to adjust the dose of medication and in what situations to call an ambulance.

"Asthma is not a sentence. If the disease is controlled, the child can live a full life, avoiding complications even in the season of acute respiratory infections. Important is the joint work of the doctor, parents and the patient himself: regular examinations, proper long-term therapy and attention to symptoms," - emphasized Zaitseva.

Earlier, on January 29, the chief physician of the European Medical Center (EMC), Rozanna Gardashnik, told Izvestia that in order to strengthen immunity in the cold season, it is especially important to follow the diet, avoid stressful situations and follow the sleep regime. According to her, it will be useful for the body to add to the diet products with a high content of vitamin C. These may include cranberries, rose hips, citrus fruits, sauerkraut and garlic.