Istanbul Okan University Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Instructor Member Servet Öztürk gave information about swine flu.
Influenza flu is caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. Both of these viruses are contagious to humans, but it is the influenza A (H1N1) virus that causes the highly contagious influenza type we call swine flu. Instructor Member Servet Öztürk said, “This virus causes respiratory disease in animals such as humans, pigs, birds and horses. The disease was first seen in Mexico in April 2009, then in the USA, and then spread to many countries. said.
People who have been exposed to the influenza A (H1N1) virus suddenly start to have symptoms after an incubation period of 1-2 days. Dr. Instructor Member Servet Öztürk listed the symptoms pointing to swine flu as follows:
- High fever
- Head and joint pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Cough
- upper respiratory tract discharge
The high fever seen with swine flu can last up to 5 days. In people who do not have any chronic diseases, these symptoms usually disappear within a week with the right treatment and a healthy diet. After recovery, the patient may continue to feel sluggish for a while. If the patient has a chronic disease or is elderly, life-threatening complications can occur, these complications are most common in the lung. Pneumonia may occur due to the effect of the virus or the bacteria during the disease.”
Dr. Instructor Member Servet Öztürk explained the question of how to distinguish swine flu and cold as follows:
“Influenza and the common cold, which show similar symptoms, are often confused with each other. Although the basis of both diseases is a viral infection, they are caused by different viruses.
The most important difference between these two viral diseases is the fever in swine flu; in the common cold, it is absent. In addition, during a cold, people can usually continue their daily routines, while swine flu can cause extreme joint pain and fatigue, so people need rest. In both diseases, there may be a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and cough.”
Swine flu is transmitted from person to person by droplets containing viruses, which are spread during coughing and sneezing. Instructor Member Öztürk said, “These droplets can stay in the air for several hours and infect people. For this reason, people in crowded environments should pay attention to the use of masks and hand hygiene. Continuing the habits such as social distance, mask and disinfectant use that occurred during the COVID-19 epidemic will protect people against influenza A virus. he said.
In the treatment of swine flu, the effectiveness of antiviral treatment to be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms is quite high, said Dr. Instructor Member Öztürk said, “The effect of the treatment started after 48 hours is quite low. For this reason, it would be appropriate for patients with fever, headache and generalized body pain to have a test for early diagnosis, especially those who came into contact with someone with influenza diagnosis.
In addition to the antiviral drugs prescribed by the doctor; Medicines such as pain relievers and antipyretics, balanced diet, plenty of fluid intake and bed rest are important in the treatment of this disease. Contrary to popular belief, antibiotics are not effective in this disease. Antibiotic treatment can only be used when recommended by a doctor in bacterial infections that develop in addition to swine flu. he said.
Dr. Instructor Member Servet Öztürk said, “In addition to the use of masks, social distance and hand hygiene, the most effective method of protection from the flu is vaccination. The content of the vaccines, which must be renewed regularly every year, is prepared by taking into account the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Although the vaccine is recommended for everyone older than 6 months and without egg allergy, it is more important for some groups to be vaccinated than for other groups. If you are in one of the following groups, you should have your annual flu vaccine;
- People aged 50 and over
- Palliative care recipients
- Rest home residents
- People with chronic lung and heart diseases
- People with chronic kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Those with autoimmune disease
- Pregnant women
- Health workers,” he said.
Be the first to comment