The doctor warned about the risks to the nervous system in acute respiratory viral infections

After suffering from a cold or flu for a certain period, it is possible to maintain a feeling of weakness, irritation, and headaches, this is due to the effect of the disease on the nervous system. Neurologist Ekaterina Demyanovskaya told about this on February 8 in an interview with Gazeta.Ru».

"During acute respiratory viral infections, the body triggers a powerful immune response. Inflammatory mediators, cytokines, are produced to fight the virus. They are involved in immune reactions, but if they are in excess, they can affect the body's own tissues, including the central nervous system," the specialist said.

Severe damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is also possible after an infection. So, after measles, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis may appear. After any other viral infection, multiple encephalomyelitis is not excluded. However, a more common and mild consequence is the feeling when, after defeating the disease, the patient does not feel fully recovered.

"Even when the virus has already been destroyed, the nervous system needs time to recover. Neurons are sensitive to inflammation and energy deficiency, so asthenia after acute respiratory viral infections can persist for several weeks. If this period exceeds 6 months, then we are talking about chronic asthenia," the neurologist warned.

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Schoolchildren and pregnant women are at risk.

Lyubov Stankevich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia on February 6 about the hidden risks of common acute respiratory viral infections. In the current season, according to her, patients who have had influenza A (H3N2) have often experienced middle ear inflammation and hearing loss. Similar complaints have been received from different regions of the country, and these are not isolated cases.

On February 3, the press service of the Office of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) in the capital reported that there was a slight increase in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in Moscow. The ministry clarified that the proportion of influenza viruses in the overall incidence continues to decrease. Currently, rhinoviruses predominate among infections.

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