Prevention of COVID-19 in family foci

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the prevention of new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in familial foci of infection using interferon alpha-2b gel for topical use. A simple prospective comparative study included 89 families (266 people), in connection with the registration of a case of a new coronavirus infection in one of the family members. They were divided into 2 groups: in the 1st group of 27 families (84 people), family members did not use drugs for the prevention of COVID-19 when one of the family members fell ill. Group 2 included 62 families (182 people) – these families underwent drug prevention of COVID-19 with interferon alfa-2b, gel for external and local use 36 IU/g for all family members immediately after the detection of a case of the disease in the family. In the 1st study group of 84 people, the disease was registered in 27 patients (32,1%). Of the mild cases, coronavirus infection developed in 29,6% of patients, in the moderate form – in 70,4% of patients. Out of 57 contact persons, a new coronavirus infection was diagnosed in 46 contact persons (80,7%), 11 people remained healthy (19,3%). In the 2nd group of 182 people, coronavirus infection was registered in 62 patients (34,1%). Of these, in a mild form in 14,5%, in a moderate form in 85,5% of patients. Of the 120 contact persons over the entire observation period, 6 patients (5,0%, р < 0,05). Carrying out drug prophylaxis to contact persons, which consists in the administration of recombinant interferon alpha-2b intranasally, makes it possible to prevent a large number of cases of the disease in familial foci of infection in persons belonging to different age groups. 

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