Izmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lecturer Prof. Dr. Alper Şener said that there is an increase in upper respiratory tract infections with the winter months. Prof. Dr. Şener stated that bacterial infections such as pneumonia are frequently encountered along with mucosal damage following influenza and other viral infections.
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN ICU ADMISSIONS
Pointing out that antibiotic use is essential as a result of bacterial infection, Prof. Dr. Şener said, “There is an increase in intensive care admissions due to seasonal transition and infections that lead to pneumonia in patients over the age of 65. When we say upper respiratory tract infections, we mean flu and flu-like viral diseases.
Flu is their locomotive disease. However, there is also a long list such as corona, rhinovirus, RSV. We call more than half of these flu-like diseases. Most of them experience symptoms such as fever, joint pain, mild respiratory distress, runny nose, and nasal congestion.
‘IT STARTS WITH A DRY COUGH’
We frequently see bacterial infections along with mucosal damage following influenza and other viral infections. Especially in those over the age of 65, we are faced with symptoms such as runny nose and congestion in the form of upper respiratory tract infection, a mild dry cough that starts with sputum accompanied by cough, sometimes blood-like appearances in these, respiratory distress, and cough that increases when we sleep at night.
IF THESE PICTURES OCCUR, ANTIBIOTICS SHOULD BE APPLIED
What needs to be considered in these cases is; Bacterial infections may occur after viral infections, especially in people over the age of 60-65. It is important to start antibiotics quickly in bacterial infections. “While no antibiotics work in viral infections, when these symptoms occur, an antibiotic must be started so that the inflammatory event in the lungs does not mix with the blood and cause the patient to be hospitalized and taken to intensive care,” he said.
‘IT CAN TURN IT INTO CHRONIC BRONCHITIS’
Underlining that patients should consult a doctor as soon as certain symptoms are observed, Prof. Dr. Şener said, “Patients experience mild joint pain that lasts for 3-4 days, muscle pain and cough attacks that continue and do not stop within a week after overcoming the upper respiratory infection, joint pain, muscle pain persists or starts again, and they have respiratory distress, especially when lying down. “If there are symptoms such as shortness of breath or if someone who works daily has symptoms such as getting tired easily when climbing stairs or getting tired easily while walking, it is necessary to be careful because antibiotics should be started in this patient group,” he said.