Andrey S. Simbirtsev, Professor, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, chief research officer of the state research Institute of high-purity biologics of the FMBA of Russia, shares his knowledge:
“Interferon is a natural molecule created over millions of years of evolution to fight viruses. Now there is a genetically engineered interferon using for both prevention and treatment.
Prevention is necessary if there was communication with coughing people. You can use intranasal Interferon after visiting public places, the metro.
Interferon is better to use after close contact with people. The virus needs time to enter the body and start the replication cycle. It is vital to give Interferon before the virus enters the body.
There are cases when we know in advance that we are going to a team where there may be sick people. If you have to communicate, then, of course, you can do prevention with Interferon in advance. And be sure to do it again after you return.
Studies of COVID-19 prevention have shown the effectiveness of nasal Interferon. Therefore, in China and Russia, intranasal Interferon is included in the national recommendations for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
Interferon is also useful for the treatment of COVID-19. It is crucial to start using it in the initial stages of the disease before a cytokine storm develops until there is no severe inflammation. Interferon is the pathogenetic agent of choice for the treatment of such patients.
Interferon is a universal antiviral molecule. And this single-molecule contains the principle of direct antiviral action due to the induction of a whole set of antiviral proteins in cells. Interferon also has an immunomodulatory effect when the same molecule stimulates various cells involved in innate and acquired antiviral immunity.
That is the advantage of Interferon over any chemotherapy drugs, which are usually narrowly directed against a virus.
Interferon can be used for the manifestation of clinical symptoms or as prevention even the disease agent has not yet been identified.
These drugs were first developed in Russia. We already have 30 years of experience in the use of intranasal Interferon in various viral respiratory infections. Clinical trials have been conducted, and drugs for this purpose are already registering.”
Any medication, any drug should be used only after consultation with a specialist doctor.
