[The protective action of arbidol during a rise in respiratory diseases in 1990].

Prophylactic properties of a new chemical drug, arbidol, against acute respiratory diseases (ARD) were studied. Arbidol given daily in a dose of 0.2 g for 19 days reduced the morbidity rate 2.3-fold in adults during an outbreak of ARD. Geometric mean titres of antibodies to respiratory viruses among healthy persons did not change after treatment with arbidol indicating the lack of immunosuppressive properties in the drug. The prophylactic effect of arbidol may be due to both specific effect of the drug on influenza and parainfluenza viruses, and its interferon-inducing and immunity-stimulating properties.