Covid-19 implications understudied - Russia's Rospotrebnadzor head

MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - The aftereffects of the Covid-19 coronavirus infection for the human organism are not yet sufficiently studied, therefore, it is needed to consult a doctor to prescribe the right treatment in case of indisposition, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) head and Russia's chief epidemiologist Anna Popova said.

"The 2019 coronavirus infection essentially became a seasonal one. But its implications are not yet well-studied, and its symptoms are quite severe. Therefore, you should not treat it as a mild runny nose of any kind at all. You need a doctor to figure out what you have, coronavirus, flu or some milder virus, which could be suffered with a brief respite from work. Or, it requires serious medical attention," Popova said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Monday.

Russia "has special remedies available today, in particular a domestic medication for Covid-19 and a domestic medicine for influenza A," she said.

"But these are different medications. And it is needed to take tests in order to understand what exactly to take, and a doctor needs to figure it out. This is crucial," Popova said.

"Coronavirus has found its place in the seasonal range [of infections]," she said. "But we are looking very closely at all pathogens that exist in Russia. These are the pathogens of infectious diseases, not all viruses that we have, as it is completely impossible and not very important for our system," Popova said.