Respiratory illness complaints have increased! Emergency rooms are overflowing, patients cannot recover

While applications related to respiratory diseases have recently increased in outpatient clinics, especially in hospital emergency rooms, patients report that their recovery processes are taking longer.

Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan, Vice President of the Turkish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, stated that the prevalence of chronic diseases extends the duration of respiratory infections and that the measures taken during the pandemic have made the immune system more sensitive to viruses.

Prof. Dr. Işıkgöz Taşbakan noted that the flu and other respiratory diseases last longer, especially in individuals in risk groups, and that the treatment process has become more complex.

Experts issued warnings regarding individual and social measures that should be taken to prevent the spread of diseases.

According to Sputnik's report, Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan, Vice President of the Turkish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (EKMUD), stated that the reason why the flu and other respiratory infections are lasting longer this year is the prevalence of chronic diseases and risk factors, and listed other causes:

“The prevalence of chronic diseases and risk factors in our country can extend the duration of respiratory infections. Diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can flare up due to air pollution and negatively affect the course of infections. Factors such as chronic diseases and old age can weaken the immune system and reduce resistance to infections, causing the flu and other respiratory infections to last longer. Furthermore, the inadequacy of measures taken to prevent the spread of infections can increase the duration of illnesses. In this context, effective public health strategies and individual protective measures are of critical importance.”

"COVID-19 HAS AN IMPACT"

Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan stated that respiratory viruses, especially COVID-19 and the flu, can make the course of the disease more complex and complicate treatment approaches:

“Respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and the flu can infect an individual at the same time, and these coinfections can make the course of the disease more complex and complicate treatment approaches. Such coinfections are seen more frequently, especially in the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and people with chronic diseases. Both viruses show similar symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat) and have similar transmission routes, which can complicate clinical diagnosis and require additional tests. The drugs used in their treatments are also different, which can make the treatment process more complex and requires healthcare professionals to make careful evaluations.”

"SENSITIVITY TO VIRUSES HAS INCREASED"

EKMUD Vice President Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan conveyed that the measures implemented during the pandemic increased the immune system's sensitivity to viruses, which is why illnesses are lasting longer:

“Due to the mask and social distancing measures implemented during the pandemic, the immune system encountered the flu and similar respiratory viruses less frequently. This situation may have increased the immune system's sensitivity to these viruses, causing illnesses to last longer.”

"THE RECOVERY PROCESS IS TAKING A LONG TIME"

Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan stated that it is possible to say that the flu has been lasting a very long time this winter and that the recovery process is prolonged, noting that the greatest precaution to take is not to catch it:

“It is possible to say that the flu has been lasting a very long time, especially this winter. Furthermore, the recovery process is also prolonged, so not catching it will be the greatest precaution. Also, if we list the measures that should be taken in crowded environments; close contact with sick people should be avoided and the use of shared items should be prevented, hands should be washed frequently with soap and water, and the mouth and nose should be covered with a paper tissue during sneezing and coughing.”

“It is very important for people in risk groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic diseases, children under 5 years old, and healthcare workers to get the flu vaccine every year between October and February.”

"BEWARE OF THE HMPV OUTBREAK"

EKMUD Vice President Prof. Dr. Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan underlined that attention should be paid to the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) outbreak that has been spreading rapidly in China recently:

“The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak, which has been spreading rapidly in China recently, has alarmed health authorities. It is a virus that usually causes mild upper respiratory tract infections such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and sore throat. However, it can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in infants, the elderly, and people with weak immunity.”

“The hMPV, which is spreading rapidly, especially among children in China's northern provinces, has caused an increase in density in hospitals and pressure on the health system. On social media and in local news, images of people wearing masks in hospitals and increasing patient numbers are drawing attention. Health authorities are taking urgent measures to monitor and manage its spread. However, the Beijing administration evaluates this increase as a seasonal fluctuation and there is no pandemic risk at this stage.”