Mutant viruses are sweeping through Serbia: They can last up to a month, and these are the first symptoms

In recent weeks, many Serbian citizens have sought medical help due to temperatures above 39°C, sore throats and muscle pain, and general fatigue. Some managed to “power through” the virus for several days, only to later face persistent coughing, sinus pain, and pus-filled tonsillitis.

Both children and adults are equally affected. While some complain of flu-like symptoms, others are convinced they are suffering from a seasonal cold.

Dr. Saša Milićević spoke to B92.net about the situation.

“They fight off one virus, then another attacks”

“You’re right in both cases, because these are mutant viruses. Viruses don’t aim to kill us but to strengthen our immune system. However, in the past month or so, it has happened that a person who has fought off one virus gets ‘attacked’ by another,” explained Dr. Milićević.

According to him, this manifests as the person feeling even worse instead of fully recovering after a week or two.

“And so it goes in a cycle, for three to four weeks. In such situations, the body doesn’t mount an adequate response. Antibiotics don’t help because this is a virus, not bacteria,” he clarified, adding: “There have been many cases of children carrying the virus for several weeks.”

“A child is burning up, can’t swallow”

As always, Dr. Milićević advises parents to take their children for blood tests and check CRP levels.

“If a bacterial infection is detected, then antibiotics can help. I also advise keeping sick children out of groups to prevent an outbreak,” Dr. Milićević emphasized, noting that children should be given plenty of fluids, light meals, and lots of fruits and vegetables.

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“In some cases, children have experienced diarrhea and vomiting, which further masked the nature of the illness, as parents thought it was a stomach virus,” Dr. Milićević noted.

“Typically, parents come to us when the child develops a very high fever or ‘starts burning up,’ as they colorfully describe it. Many have also complained that their child cannot eat or swallow because of severe throat pain. Of course, a proper diagnosis can only be made once we see the results of blood tests and CRP,” he concluded.

His colleagues in health centers across Serbia have also reported a large number of adults in recent weeks experiencing identical or similar symptoms. Regardless of whether someone had a fever above 39°C or a milder one around 37.2°C, doctors emphasize that it is a mutated virus. The first step for those infected is to stay home and rest for at least a few days.

First symptoms of the current virus

At the onset of the infection, patients most commonly report a temperature between 37.8°C and 39°C, headache, and sore throat. In later stages, symptoms can develop further depending on the progression of the illness.

Doctors advise resting for four to six days, maintaining good hydration, and eating a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

They also stress that patients should return to their usual activities only once all symptoms have completely subsided, noting that prolonged illness is often due to a lack of discipline and delayed medical consultation.