Influenza cases, which increase in the winter season, especially affect children. Education was suspended due to flu cases in Sütçüler district of Isparta. Families are uneasy because of unpreventable disease cases. Ministry of Health Coronavirus Scientific Committee Member Prof. Dr. Sema Kultufan Turan said, “Schools can recommend their students to wear masks during periods of intense infections. Thus, transmission of diseases by children can be prevented.”
COVID-19 WATCHING STABLE
Stating that the number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 has not increased much, Turan said, “COVID-19 has been following a stable course for the last 2 months. There are cases, but there is no increase in the rate of hospitalization or intensive care unit admission with a severe picture. The process continues in this way.” used the phrase.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS ARE FULL OF CASES OF FLU.
On the other hand, with the entry of the winter period, respiratory tract infections such as influenza (flu) increased, Turan said, “Currently, other viral factors such as influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are more common and more common. welding.” he said.
“The same viral symptoms are seen in the pre-epidemic period”
prof. Dr. Sema Kultufan Turan drew attention to the fact that before the COVID-19 epidemic, respiratory tract infections, which were common in winter, were experienced less frequently in the 2-year period due to the use of masks. Emphasizing that this year we are faced with seasonal flu factors again, Turan continued his words as follows:
“Actually, the same viral symptoms are seen in the pre-epidemic period. There are no big differences. When influenza found a more widespread transmission environment, it began to be seen more common than COVID-19, that is, it became more dominant. In influenza, people experience a severe flu picture. Runny nose, “It can cause a clinical picture that continues with sore throat, weakness and lasts for 9-10 days. It is transmitted very quickly. However, it does not generally cause a picture that will cause acute respiratory distress syndrome in the lungs. This can only be seen in elderly patients or patients with low body resistance.”
“COVID-19 ENDED TOWARDS THE PROCESS”
Stating that COVID-19, unlike the flu, has the risk of causing severe lung damage, but this possibility decreases with the Omicron variant, Turan explained that the virus is progressing towards the “endemic” process, which is defined as “settled like the common cold, which can multiply in certain periods and become more harmless”. .
prof. Dr. Turan said, “We are seeing exactly this process this year. Due to the Omicron variant, the rate of lung damage of COVID-19 is now much lower and it has turned into an influenza-like picture. Therefore, there may be a transition towards endemic. However, these processes may take many years in the pandemic. It’s impossible to say right now, but the coming years will show us that.” shared his opinion.
“CONTACT WITH MASK AND WE CAN SEE THE DISEASE REDUCE”
Explaining that it is important for people with respiratory tract infections not to enter crowded environments and to take individual precautions such as wearing a mask when they have to enter, Turan said:
“The mask is significantly protective against all respiratory tract infections with the possibility of widespread transmission. At the moment, this is the most basic protective factor in the fight against influenza, the studies and literature show this. We can see that the mask is transmitted and the disease is reduced. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for people with symptoms to wear a mask. We recommend it.”
A CHILD WHO IS SICK SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST 3 DAYS
prof. Dr. Turan pointed out that respiratory tract infections spread very quickly among children at school and made the following assessments:
“I recommend that children who get sick should not be sent to school during the first 48-72 hours when transmission is active. In addition, schools may institutionally recommend their students to wear masks during periods of intense respiratory tract infections. This way, children can be prevented from infecting each other and their families. This is a useful and correct way of doing it. I think it’s a practice, but of course it’s the schools’ own decision.”
Turan added that it is important for people over 65 and risky groups to have both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.