The efficiency of antiviral therapy in Covid-19 infection

Abstract

Introduction. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic infection dominates every aspect of healthcare around the world, overshadowing other public health issues in the longer term. Antiviral therapy in COVID-19 is based on clinical practice, experimental data and study results. Aim of study. This study is centered on the assessment of the degree of morbidity and antiviral treatment of patients with Covid-19 infection between September 2021 and February 2022. Methods and materials. The working methodology consisted in the registration of 107 cases of Covid-19 that were treated by the family doctor in the period 2021-2022. The data obtained were statistically processed and interpreted taking into account age, sex, disease progression, concomitant diseases and performed treatment. Results. 107 patients were diagnosed with Covid-19, of whom 60 were women and 47 - men; 25% were between 18 and 49 years old and 75% were between 50 and 74 years old. Following the study we found that the clinical picture of Covid-19 is in most cases of moderate severity (58%) and is mostly manifested by intoxication syndrome and catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Uncomplicated viral infection can be treated at home, the most common situation. For the treatment and prevention of COVID19 the most frequently antiviral drugs (Umifenovir, Kagocel, Isoprinosine) are recommended. When used up to 48 hours after the onset of the disease, they have a pronounced therapeutic effect in uncomplicated viral infection, which manifests itself by reducing the febrile period, shortening and attenuating the symptoms of intoxication in almost 90% of patients. Umifenovir reduces the febrile period in 48% of cases, Kagocel in 37% and Isoprinosine in 15%, and the attenuation of intoxication symptoms was in Umifenovir - in 35% of cases, Kagocel - 35% and Isoprinosine - 30%. Umifenovir resulted in a higher cure rate after 7 days of treatment in moderate cases of COVID-19 (71.4% in the Umifenovir group compared to 55.9% in the Kagocel group). The listed antiviral drugs produce side effects, usually transient, the most common being: nausea (26%), epigastric discomfort (19%), increased transaminases (34%), urea nitrogen (9%), headache, vertigo (23%). itching, rash (7%).. Conclusion. Umifenovir therapy resulted in an increase in the percentage of patients with negative PCR tests on days 7-8; when using Kagocel and Isoprinosine - on days 8-9. The efficacy and safety of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 still require clinical investigation. Moderate forms of COVID-19 could be effectively treated with antivirals, but severe forms of COVID-19, characterized by pulmonary immunopathology, require different approaches to treatment.