While Türkiye was under the influence of the cold wave, flu cases also started to increase. Internal Medicine Specialist Doctor Burak Can spoke on the subject.
“CASES INCREASED”
Doctor Burak Can explained that flu and cold should be distinguished from each other and said, “Flu is an infectious disease caused by a virus called influenza virus, which affects millions of people every year. In this disease, patients have complaints such as fever, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue. It can sometimes be confused with a cold. Everyone says more often that they have the flu than that they have a cold. In fact, the common cold is slightly more common. Particularly persistent fever, severe muscle aches, fatigue, or a prolonged dry cough are findings we see more often in flu. “There is also an increase in the number of cases,” he said.
“HANDS SHOULD BE WASHED FREQUENTLY”
Providing information about the transmission methods of flu and cold infections, Dr. Burak Can said, “Droplets scattered around by sneezing and coughing can get into the air. People who breathe this air inhale the infectious agent. For this reason, indoor spaces need to be ventilated frequently. Especially if people in risk groups will be in a closed environment, wearing a mask will be useful for protection. In addition, infectious agents can be transmitted to objects and surfaces through droplets spread into the air from people sneezing and coughing. When a person touches these areas and puts his hand to his mouth or eyes, he infects himself with this virus. Therefore, hands should be washed frequently, and if we have to meet with sick people, we should not approach more than 1 meter and use a mask,” he said.
“GET THE FLU VACCINE”
Talking about the importance of the flu vaccine, Doctor Can said, “People in the risk group should definitely get the flu vaccine. Even though there is disinformation about vaccines, these vaccines are very safe and are administered every year. Adults over 50 years of age, those with chronic asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, neurological diseases, those using immunosuppressive therapy, rheumatology – oncology patients, pregnant women, those living in elderly care homes and healthcare workers should be vaccinated. “We generally recommend getting the flu vaccine in October, but people in the risk group can get their vaccines in November, December or even February if they have not been vaccinated,” he said.
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