One of the most reputable experts on children’s health is Dr. Komarovsky. He is frequently consulted by parents, particularly after a child becomes ill. Antiviral medications are among the subjects he talks about a lot; these are often prescribed as a first line of treatment when a child gets a cold or the flu.
Naturally, parents want to do everything within their power to expedite their child’s recovery; however, there is considerable ambiguity regarding the efficacy of antiviral medications. Regarding this matter, Dr. Komarovsky provides lucid advice, outlining the effects of these drugs, when it is appropriate to use them, and when they might not be required.
We’ll examine Dr. Komarovsky’s viewpoint on antiviral medications in this post to assist you in making decisions that are best for your child’s health. His knowledge is particularly helpful when navigating the confusing array of drugs and therapies that offer instant relief.
Antiviral drugs
Numerous medications exist to combat viruses. In pharmacology, they are separated into multiple categories:
- anti-influenza;
- anti-herpetic;
- M2-channel blockers;
- neuroamidase inhibitors;
- extended-action drugs.
Certain medications function by stimulating the immune system, whereas other medications "kill" virus particles directly. The first category of medications consists of those that increase the body’s production of interferon, a unique protein that plays a key role in immune processes, as well as those that "deliver" this interferon to the body; these drugs are derived from donor blood and are already "familiar" with the virus because of genetic engineering labs.
One of the few nations where antiviral medications are available without a prescription from a doctor is Russia. Furthermore, there is a huge market for antiviral medications in our nation. We have several dozen anti-flu medications if the US only has five. There’s never been a more extensive marketing campaign for antiviral tablets and syrups in any other country in the world.
The truth is that Russia also lacks many medications with a track record of success. Most of the products that are marketed as a “effective way to protect against flu and acute respiratory viral infections” are really just marketing gimmicks used by manufacturers to profit millions of dollars during the winter months.
Evgeny Komarovsky estimates that 90% of pediatric illnesses are caused by viral infections. Furthermore, most kids under the age of seven get sick up to ten times a year, as opposed to just once or twice. For children under three, these illnesses pose a particularly serious risk. Antiviral medications, even the cheap ones, cost roughly 100 rubles per box. Simple math can be used to determine how profitable it is for pharmacists and other interested parties in the Ministry of Health to market and sell children’s antiviral medications. You don’t need to be an expert to do this.
Efficiency
Many medications that pharmacists label as antivirals can actually destroy virus particles. but only in a test tube, under lab settings. This ability is passed off as efficiency by manufacturers. Furthermore, the test results are not as positive in clinical settings. Drugs typically don’t have the same "killer" effect on viruses when they are in human bodies as opposed to test tubes in labs.
Manufacturers do, however, state that the medication has undergone testing. However, victims will not find an accurate report on the clinical trials carried out anywhere, not even on this manufacturer’s official website.
Many pharmaceutical companies would rather spend money marketing a novel treatment “for flu and other dangerous viruses” than commission accurate and high-quality trials of their product on a sizable patient population. Not because they seem sincerely sorry for the money, but rather because they fully know that the test will yield none, zero, or insufficient results to support a compelling conclusion in accordance with the standards of evidence-based medicine. However, I really don’t want the box to say "Efficiency not proven."
Safety
Any virus has the peculiarity of not being able to replicate itself. Replication of viruses only takes place in human cells. The virus modifies it with its DNA as a result of integrating into them, making it "work" for itself. It will be necessary to destroy the "invader" cell in order to eradicate the virus. And regardless of how you look at it, the body does not disappear from this.
Komarovsky claims that while antiviral drugs are available, few of them have been shown to be effective in treating agent-infected cells. However, they are in no way harmless.
These medications are typically used in hospital settings, and many of them need to be administered intravenously. These "serious" means have nothing to do with the bright boxes on pharmacy shelves that the pharmacist assiduously provides parents with during the period of total incidence.
For treatment
Generally speaking, antiviral medications have a very narrow range of action. A particular medication only affects the precise kind of virus that it targets. The following medications are among the "serious" (i.e., not at all advertised) medications with demonstrated efficacy:
- Against the flu virus – “Ribavirin”, “Ozeltamivir”.
- Against the herpes virus – “Acyclovir”,
- Against the retrovirus – “Adefovir”, “Indinavir”.
There isn’t a single antiviral medication that can treat all viral infections.
The sick child is not helped by any other medication, even homeopathic ones; rather, it is his anxious mother who benefits. Taking care of her child and giving pills, she is calm and doing everything in her power. Physicians are aware of this and will therefore gladly prescribe medications like "Anaferon," "Oscillococinum," and "Viferon" to patients who exhibit symptoms of influenza or acute respiratory viral infections.
These medications have no specific advantages and cannot hurt the child.
In four to five days, the viral illness will go away on its own and the immune system will have fully fought off the foreign "invader." Both the manufacturers of supposedly "antiviral" drugs and the instructions for the tablets specify these same 4-5 days.
Ultimately, nobody will even consider determining whether the child’s immunity or the tablets were the exact cause of his recovery after he has fully recovered. Pharmacists are fully benefiting from the circumstances.
For prevention
According to Evgeny Komarovsky, there is no purpose in using antiviral medications for prevention. They have no bearing whatsoever on the likelihood of catching the virus.
Children "catch" the infection most frequently from airborne droplets in stores, on public transportation, and in children’s groups. The risk of ARVI increases with the number of people in close proximity to the child. Furthermore, nothing can alter this—not even pills or syrups—when the mother gives the child regular morning strokes.
This also applies to viruses spread through physical contact, such as herpes. Herpes infections can never be prevented in the traditional sense, and there is no specific medication available.
Regular consumption of antiviral syrup by a child is unlikely to reduce the activity of viruses that enter their body through their mouth and interact with water.
An infection can strike anyone at any time. However, one child’s immune system will allow them to recover from illness more quickly, while another’s will take longer to recover and will likely become ill again within a few months or even sooner. Boosting the immune system is the answer. But not by taking medication; rather, by establishing the ideal environment for the baby’s growth and development.
Vaccination is the best defense against viral infections. When an investor conflicts with open-ended stocks, which are invested in the company, aversion to the stock increases, and if the stock increases, the return to the investor will be greater and the investment will be more liquidated, just as the investment portfolio of the company will be more quickly valued and invested in.
Interferons
Nowadays, all parents are familiar with the term "interferon" and, because of advertising, think that it will unquestionably help a child recover from the flu. According to Evgeny Komarovsky, interferon, a particular protein, is powerless to affect the virus in any manner. It serves as a commander-commander in the immune response to the battle and is tasked with stimulating other cells involved in the process.
Because of this, interferon comes in small doses that are found in tablets and nasal drops and do not obligate the body in any way, while large doses are found in medications that are only used when a patient’s life is in danger due to a serious illness like AIDS, complicated hepatitis, or tumors. These shots are administered in a hospital, frequently in the intensive care unit. Although patients tolerate such large doses of interferon very poorly, it still serves its purpose.
All of the medications that pharmacies sell for treating kids at home using interferon are experimental treatments. It is up to the parents whether or not to drip them. You can drip them for your own peace of mind; nothing bad will happen, but you also shouldn’t anticipate any specific advantages.
Homeopathic remedies
It’s all the more complicated with these remedies. Homeopathy is categorically rejected by official medicine because it deviates from the standards of evidence. According to Komarovsky, the "placebo effect" is the basis for the effectiveness of these medications.
Watch Dr. Komarovsky’s program to learn more about antiviral medications.
| Topic | Explanation |
| Dr. Komarovsky"s View on Antiviral Drugs | Dr. Komarovsky believes that most antiviral drugs marketed for colds and flu have little proven effectiveness. He suggests that the focus should be on strengthening the immune system and following basic health guidelines. |
| Common Misconceptions | Many parents believe that antiviral drugs are necessary for treating viral infections in children, but Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes that the body can often handle the virus without medication, especially with proper care and rest. |
| Importance of Prevention | Dr. Komarovsky stresses the importance of preventive measures such as vaccination, hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle over relying on antiviral drugs to combat illnesses. |
The antiviral medication insights provided by Dr. Komarovsky are a great resource for parents managing their kids’ health. He stresses how crucial it is to use these drugs sparingly and only when they are absolutely required. Antiviral medications have a track record of success, but they are not always the best option for every disease. It is essential to know when and how to use them in order to maximize their benefits and reduce any potential risks.
Antiviral medication self-medication by parents should be done with caution. It is imperative to seek the advice of healthcare professionals, who can offer customized guidance based on individual health requirements. The counsel of Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes the need of a well-rounded strategy that emphasizes preventive care and general wellbeing in addition to the responsible use of antiviral medications.
Parents can make better decisions about their children’s health by being informed and consulting professionals. The viewpoint of Dr. Komarovsky serves as a reminder of the value of careful and knowledgeable treatment in the treatment of illnesses and preservation of family health.
Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky highlights that the majority of antiviral medications sold to children are not supported by substantial scientific data. Instead of depending solely on these drugs, he counsels parents to emphasize tried-and-true preventive methods like good hygiene and immunizations.
