Background. The annual seasonal rise in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) begins in September with maximum incidence rate among infants and preschool children. In November-December, influenza begins to dominate, first in the form of local outbreaks, and then an epidemic rise in incidence of varying intensity. In the fall of 2021, against the backdrop of the ongoing incidence of COVID-19, influenza viruses returned to epidemic circulation both in the world and in Russia, causing in 2022 –2023 increase in influenza activity, first caused mainly by the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, and then by influenza B.
Objective. Summarizing the results of evaluation of the therapeutic and preventive efficacy of rimantadine + sodium alginate for ARVI of various etiologies in infants and preschool children.
Methods. The therapeutic efficacy of rimantadine + sodium alginate was studied in 808 children hospitalized on days 1–2 of acute respiratory viral infection with a proven etiology of the disease. The latter was established by detecting pathogen antigens in material from the nasal passages and nasopharynx of patients using the polymerase chain reaction or immunofluorescence express method, followed (after 2–3 days and before discharge) by determining their persistence or the appearance of new pathogens, as well as serologically in paired blood sera: in complement fixation reactions, hemagglutination inhibition and enzyme immunoassay with a wide range of antigens. The preventive effectiveness of the drug was studied during 6 outbreaks of ARVI in 269 children from 3 orphanages: 134 children received the drug, 135 were included in the comparison group.
Conclusion. Clinical and epidemiological observations have shown that the polymer drug, consisted of a complex derivative of rimantadine and modified sodium alginate from seaweed in sugar syrup, has statistically significantly proven therapeutic and preventive efficacy in ARVI of any etiology in children aged 1–7 years.

Keywords: therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy, rimantadine+sodium alginate, influenza, antiviral drugs, acute respiratory viral infections