Respiratory viral infections: Pathogenetic rationale for interferon therapy

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) is a significant pathology in the current landscape of infectious diseases. Interferons, one of which is interferon alpha-2b nasal drop formulation, play a special role in the treatment and prevention of ARIs in children and adults. This article presents case reports of the use of interferon alpha-2b in pediatrics. The same infection within a singlehousehold outbreak developed differently in different people: from mild rhinitis in a 6-month-old child to complicated croup in a 4-year-old child with a history of allergies. Prescription of interferon alpha-2b nasal drops to all contacts (including the infant recently exposed to the virus and healthy adults) is justified. It boosts local immunity, breaks the chain of infection, and prevents a recurrence of the disease if a person continues to be in contact with the infection source. None of the household members who received interferon alpha-2b nasal drops as a prophylactic agent became ill, despite close contact with the convalescent person. These case reports illustrate the variability of the ARI course in children of different ages within a singlehousehold outbreak and the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis with interferon alpha-2b to prevent transmission of infectious agents among exposed persons.