From the Department of Internal Medicine at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Uz. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun gave information about swine flu and its treatment.
Upset. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun, about swine flu, said, “Influenza is an infectious disease that occurs with symptoms such as high fever, severe muscle and joint pains, and dry cough caused by viruses known as influenza. Influenza A and B viruses can infect humans. An important feature of influenza A virus is that subgroups belonging to different species are open to exchange of genetic material from each other and thus are extremely suitable for the formation of a different virus. This causes the virus to create new infections, causing epidemics and pandemics. "Swine flu", first described in Mexico in 2009, is caused by the H1N1 subgroup of influenza A virus. H1N1 caused a global epidemic in 2009-2010.” said.
Saying that the symptoms of swine flu are the same as other common flu types, Uz. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun said, “Swine flu symptoms may also be similar to Covid-19 symptoms, and these two diseases can easily be confused. Especially those with underlying health problems and diseases are at higher risk. Lung infection (pneumonia) and respiratory failure can be life-threatening. In the presence of symptoms such as prolonged and resistant fever, general condition disorder, respiratory distress, and confusion, a doctor should be consulted. he said.
Upset. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun lists the main symptoms of swine flu as follows:
- Fire,
- Cough,
- Throat ache,
- muscle-joint pain,
- Headache,
- chills, shivering
- feeling tired
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (rare)
When appropriate tests are performed in patients who are thought to have the flu or swine flu, the disease can be diagnosed. Various laboratory test methods can be used for the diagnosis of influenza. Upset. Dr. Uzun listed these tests as follows:
- Nucleic acid amplification tests (RT-PCR)
- Rapid antigen tests
- Culture – virus isolation
- Serological diagnosis (antibody tests)
- ELISA
The most commonly used methods are PCR and rapid antigen tests because they give reliable and fast results in daily practice. The most ideal sample for these tests is the nasopharyngeal swab sample, which is obtained by taking a sample from the nose and inside the throat with a cotton swab.
Swine flu can clear up on its own without any treatment. However, in people in the risk group, swine flu should be treated, said Uz. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun listed the people in the risk group as follows:
- Pregnant women
- Children 6-59 months and adults over 50
- Those with chronic diseases: Those with chronic lung disease including asthma, diabetes, metabolic diseases, heart disease, chronic liver, chronic kidney disease, neurological diseases
- Immunocompromised patients
- People with obesity
- Health workers
- Especially those who come into contact with children younger than 6 months.
- Home contacts and caregivers of people under 5 and over 50
Seasonal flu vaccines, which are renewed each year, protect against the three or four flu viruses that are expected to be most common during that year's flu season, such as H1N1 (swine flu vaccine) and H3N2. For this reason, it is necessary to have the flu vaccine in October every year, Uz. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun said, “However, people in the risk group can get the vaccine until February if they have not had it before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone older than 6 months. In the treatment of swine flu, effective antiviral drugs can be used in influenza virus as well as rest and supportive treatments. Paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat influenza-related symptoms such as fever, headache, and myalgia (muscle pain). he said.
Influenza (influenza) virus is transmitted through droplets, a person coughing and sneezing spreads a large number of droplets containing the virus. Stating that the disease is transmitted by these droplets reaching our mouth, nose or eyes, Uz. Dr. Yusuf Emre Uzun said, “For this reason, a person with the flu should cover his mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing in order not to spread the virus around, and with his arms if he cannot find a tissue. Sneezing into the hands is the most dangerous. The virus transmitted to the hands spreads to everywhere touched from here. The person with the flu should wash their hands frequently. In cases where soap and water are not available, cleaning can also be achieved by rubbing hands with hand antiseptics. The transmission of swine flu is the same as seasonal flu, but H1N1 (swine flu) is not transmitted because pork is eaten. In order for the flu not to spread in the community, in the first days of the disease, when the virus spreads most, one should not go to school or work and rest at home. To protect the household, hands should be washed frequently and the room should be ventilated. It will be useful for the sick person to wear a mask, especially if there are people who are at risk of severe disease. The mask should completely cover the mouth and nose, and when it gets wet, it should be changed and hands should be washed. said.
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