Influenza cases on the rise

Prof. Dr. Ersin Aksay drew attention to the recent congestion in emergency departments and issued an 'epidemic' warning. Stating that patients are presenting with similar complaints, especially as mask usage has decreased, Aksay said, “It is possible to speak of an epidemic. As a matter of fact, we did not experience this epidemic much during the Covid-19 period due to mask usage. However, due to the decrease in mask usage, we are seeing a significant increase in influenza and common cold cases. The vast majority of the patients we have been seeing recently come in with complaints of runny nose, high fever, and cough.”

Touching on the differences between the flu and the common cold, Aksay said, “Complaints are simpler in the common cold. The flu is also a viral disease, but because it is caused by the virus we call influenza, it follows a more severe course. It can be particularly severe in patients with immunodeficiency, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, and in elderly patients. It can also turn into pneumonia or acute bronchitis. In the flu, there can be a fever of approximately 39 degrees, widespread muscle and joint pain, and severe headaches. While coughs lasting up to several weeks can be seen if it turns into acute bronchitis or pneumonia; subsequently, it is also possible to encounter stabbing chest pains and widespread muscle and joint pain,” he said.

“INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SICK SHOULD AVOID CROWDED ENVIRONMENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE”

Underlining that masks should be used as part of the fight against the developing epidemic, Aksay said, “The most effective way to protect yourself is, of course, not to get sick. Viral diseases are often diseases that heal on their own and for which we cannot shorten the duration with drugs other than symptomatic supportive treatment. Individuals who are sick should not enter crowded environments as much as possible. They need to ensure their children do not go to school, wear masks, and especially avoid contact with people who have a high probability of having a severe case of the flu,” he said.

“ANTIBIOTICS HAVE NO BENEFIT IN FLU OR COMMON COLDS”

Aksay also warned that antibiotics should not be used for the flu or common colds, stating, “The epidemic we are experiencing is caused by viral factors. Antibiotics have no benefit in flu or common colds. Unless there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics should not be used. Furthermore, intravenous single-dose Vitamin C and B have no benefit either. They do not shorten the duration of symptoms, nor do they reduce the likelihood of developing a flu infection. Therefore, they provide no benefit to the patient. It is possible to manage this process comfortably with fever reducers and painkiller tablets,” he noted.