Parents be alert: Is the virus currently spreading most among children dangerous? – Doctor explains

With the start of the autumn–winter season and the drop in temperatures, an increase in acute respiratory viral infections and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract is being observed.

This was stated by pediatrician Azer Ahmadov in his comments to The Daily Baku.

According to him, the current situation is entirely seasonal in nature and is not related to any new or unknown virus that could cause public concern.

“At present, the illness spreading among the population is mainly the influenza virus that we encounter every year. There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Based on the clinical indicators of patients who apply to our center, I can say that influenza type A is currently predominant,” the pediatrician emphasized.

The doctor noted that patients mainly complain of high fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, general weakness, muscle pain, and joint pain.
According to him, in most cases the disease is mild to moderate and is treated on an outpatient basis.

Azer Ahmadov also drew attention to the possibility of complications in some cases: “In rare cases, especially in individuals belonging to risk groups, the disease may lead to complications such as pneumonia. In such situations, hospitalization and inpatient treatment become necessary. I would like to note that our center has all modern medical facilities for timely and accurate diagnosis of these diseases, and patients receive full treatment using modern methods.”

Recalling that the main route of transmission of the virus is airborne droplets, the pediatrician stressed the importance of strictly observing personal protective measures: “Avoiding close contact with sick people, washing hands frequently with soap, proper nutrition, and adequate fluid intake significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission and help strengthen the immune system.”

The doctor particularly urged parents to be attentive when it comes to infants: “I would like to emphasize that if infants under three months of age develop high fever, choking-type cough, or breathing difficulties, parents should seek medical attention immediately. Early medical intervention plays a crucial role in preventing complications.”

Azer Ahmadov also clarified issues related to the Nipah virus, which has been discussed recently: “Currently, no cases of Nipah virus infection have been recorded in our country. Azerbaijan is not located in a geographical risk zone for this virus, and based on the current epidemiological situation, no threat is expected.”

According to the pediatrician, against the background of seasonal infections, the main goal is to follow preventive measures and seek medical help without delay if symptoms worsen.