Mystery illness strikes Russia with fever, blood symptoms, and no cure in sight.

A mysterious illness has surfaced in Russia, and doctors are scrambling for answers. Reports describe a relentless fever, reaching 39°C, paired with a violent, bloody cough that lingers for weeks. Patients start with mild aches and fatigue, but within days, they are bedridden, their health declining fast. This isn’t just another seasonal flu. Something else is happening.

Tests for COVID-19 and the flu return negative, ruling out the usual suspects. Antibiotics do nothing, raising concerns that this could be viral rather than bacterial. Russian health authorities have remained quiet on the number of cases, hospitalizations, or any containment measures. Silence from officials rarely means good news.

Doctors have classified the illness under a broad umbrella—acute upper respiratory tract infection (ARVI), unspecified. Some suspect a link to mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial infection, but there’s no confirmation. The lack of clear information is unsettling. If this were a known illness, there wouldn’t be this much uncertainty.

What’s even more alarming is how rapidly this sickness weakens people. The pattern is clear: early symptoms resemble common colds, but by the time the fever spikes and the coughing worsens, patients are drained of their strength. Blood in the cough isn’t something to ignore.

For now, there are more questions than answers. Russian authorities have yet to implement public health measures, but if cases continue rising, that could change fast. Doctors are urging caution and advising anyone with severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.


Sources:

https://eadaily.com/en/news/2025/03/29/an-unknown-virus-that-causes-coughing-with-blood-has-appeared-in-russia-shot

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/26426-mysterious-virus-in-russia-causes-severe-illness-and-bloody-coughing.html