Coronavirus infection can remain in the human population as a seasonal infection, – told in an exclusive interview to “Russian newspaper” Russia’s leading infectious diseases, Advisor to the Director, Central research Institute of epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, academician Victor Maleev.
He explained that the new coronavirus causes acute respiratory disease, and for such infections is characterized by greater in the autumn-winter period. “Almost all acute respiratory viral infections aktiviziruyutsya during the cold season, – said Viktor Maleyev. – Remember the “swine” flu epidemic of 2010. It is, incidentally, began in the summer – a new virus can “shoot” at any time of the year. But then the situation came to normal, and this “swine” strain became another kind of regular seasonal flu which comes every year in autumn and winter”.
Maleev explained why there was such a pattern. “The explanation is simple: all respiratory infections enter the body through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. And in the winter when it is cold, slush, mucosal – local immunity of mucous membranes – reduced, – said the expert. – So the weather extremes are a test for us, we suffer a healthy microflora of the nasopharynx. And for respiratory viruses, on the contrary, there is freedom. Moreover, we have a few tempers and, in particular, strengthens the immunity of mucous membranes. But this measure does not stop. In the summer, by the way, it’s easier to do it all.”
