The ALFA, GAMMA and DELTA variants of the coronavirus have been reported as alarming by the World Health Organization so far. Now, the Omicron variant, which is said to be more contagious and spreading rapidly all over the world and in our country, raises concerns.
Mynet Ozel / Sibel Ozdemir
The Omicron variant, which appears with symptoms of sore throat, weakness, fatigue and dry cough, can be confused with swine flu symptoms. At this point, experts give important warnings. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality COVID-19 Scientific Committee Member and Istanbul Medical Chamber COVID-19 Monitoring Board Member Chest Diseases Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Nilüfer Aykaç made statements by drawing attention to both diseases.
Aykaç stated that in order to distinguish the influenza virus and the Omicron variant, people with respiratory complaints should first have a test including viral factors (influenza, rhino, parainfluenza, SARS-COV 2, etc.).
INCREASED IN THE CASES OF DISEASE IN WINTER
The world and our country are struggling with the most important pandemic of the century, COVID-19, in a period of nearly two years. As a result of the removal of the restrictions by the governments in the summer period, the number of cases in the world started to increase again in the autumn months. As of January 5, 2022, the number of cases worldwide exceeded 290 million, and the number of people who lost their lives exceeded 5 million 446 thousand. In Turkey, according to the official data of the Ministry of Health, the total number of cases was 9 million 136 thousand, and the number of deaths exceeded 80 thousand. Winter months are the months when schools open and we spend most of our time indoors. For this reason, this season is the time when all respiratory diseases increase.
FLU SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO COVID
The most common complaints in COVID-19 disease are fever, dry cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. However, general body malaise, muscle – throat – head – joint pain, muscle weakness and diarrhea can also be seen. In some studies, it is known that there are loss of sense of smell and taste, visual disturbances and these complaints indicate central nervous system involvement. Similarly, difficulty in breathing and decreased oxygen levels are symptoms and signs that show the severity of the disease.
CORONAVIRUS CAN ALSO BE MIXED WITH ALLERGY
Sneezing, nasal congestion or runny nose are more frequent and prominent in colds. Coronavirus symptoms can sometimes be confused with seasonal allergy symptoms. Seasonal allergy is not the complaint we expect, unlike fever, COVID-19. Influenza outbreaks are also seen during this period. Fever, headache, weakness, symptoms are similar to COVID-19. While loss of taste and smell is observed more frequently in Covid-19, nasal congestion is more prominent in flu. Wearing a mask ensures the protection of all respiratory infections.
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN ALL VIRAL INFECTIONS
Winter season and indoor environments increase the susceptibility to all viral infections. As of the period, rhino, influenza etc. The frequency of viruses has also increased. Influenza and other cold viruses can cause symptoms similar to Covid-19 disease. In case of contact exposure or respiratory tract infection symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, it is necessary to apply to a health institution and have a PCR test. In these days when we are dealing with COVID-19, respiratory tract complaints of those who do not apply adequate protection methods such as unvaccinated, mask distance hygiene should bring viral factors to mind.
swine flu can also be deadly
Influenza (swine flu) can be as deadly as COVID-19. While the CDC reported 1.8/100,000 deaths per population due to the flu for 2019, the number of people who died from the flu last year was 650 thousand, according to the 2019 data of the World Health Organization.
Influenza disease, 140-711 thousand hospitalizations, 12-52 thousand deaths occurred in an average of 9-41 million people annually between 2010-2020, while 20,000 people died in the USA between 2019-2020.
EMERGENCIES ARE FULL OF CASE
Aykaç said, “The number of hospitalizations due to influenza and applications to outpatient clinics have started to increase in our hospitals. The flu season is expected to be seen more in November-December-January this year. So there is still time to get vaccinated. An annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and its possible serious complications. We recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu,” he said.
BEWARE OF BLOOD THINERS
COVID-19 disease can be overcome with mild complaints in most people, and even in an average of 5 people, the disease does not cause any complaints. Performing a large number of tests is important in terms of diagnosing patients who do not show these symptoms and breaking the social chain. In other words, having suspicious cases tested can both reduce transmission in the community and protect our loved ones from the disease. Anticoagulants are not drugs that can be used at home without a doctor’s recommendation and evaluation. We know that those who have an underlying disease, have not been vaccinated, are over 65 years old and have a high body-mass index have a severe disease. In particular, it would be more appropriate for these people to be evaluated by a physician.
TEST CENTERS CAN BE ESTABLISHED TO AVOID DENSITY
It would be appropriate to establish test centers outside the hospital where patients can reach, by preventing patients from crowding into the hospital. Thus, both the hospital burden can be reduced and the transmission can be prevented. Applying both PCR and rapid tests here will reduce the burden on the health system. In addition, Home Rapid Antigen Tests, which have started to be applied in countries such as England and France in Europe and are distributed free of charge to the public, can be applied at home in patients with symptoms and early isolation of these people can be ensured.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE FLU VACCINE MIGHT HAVE COVID-19
The onset of influenza (flu) in the autumn months will bring along diagnostic and treatment difficulties due to the similar clinical and radiological findings in COVID-19. For this reason, especially in this period, influenza and pneumonia vaccines gain more importance. In order to reduce the health care burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health of people, everyone over 6 months old should be vaccinated against influenza (influenza) by prioritizing risk groups. In studies, there are reports that people vaccinated with the flu vaccine have milder cases of COVID-19 and reduced mortality. For this reason, it is of great importance that people in the risk group (healthcare workers, those with underlying diseases, those over 65 years old, who have to work in public places) are vaccinated with the flu vaccine before the start of the flu season. Please get vaccinated, the vaccine protects. Being vaccinated is a social responsibility.
On the other hand, Private Pendik Regional Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Remzi Toprak made statements on the subject by drawing attention to the recent increase in flu cases.
YOUNG PATIENTS COMING FROM HOME ARE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO INTENSIVE CARE!
Toprak,”Especially in our country, sometimes natural ways, especially from herbalists.
People are trying to be cured with drugs. Sometimes they are too late. When they come to us before they come to us, the infection may have progressed. We can even have young patients who come directly from the emergency room and send them to the intensive care unit.”
CASES OF FLU RISE IN CHILDREN
Infectious Diseases Specialist Remzi Toprak said that flu cases increased in schools and said, “We think that the epidemic emerged when the openings started everywhere, especially when children infect each other in schools and then infect adults. Seasonal conditions also prepared the ground for this. Of course, we spend a longer time indoors in winter conditions. Accordingly, we see that these cases are increasing. As patients confused this with COVID-19, they started to apply to the emergency departments intensively. But clinically, we do not see a severe picture as in the coronavirus. Within a few days, young patients are also recovering spontaneously, and they continue in their normal course.
At the moment, we can say that we see both influenza and coronavirus cases at the same rate in the clinic. Influenza-borne infections, which we call influenza, are common, especially in patients who apply to the emergency department.