Do Not Confuse Seasonal Flu with Covid-19!

TÜSAD warns about seasonal influenza and COVID-19 potentially being confused, noting that the most common symptoms show similarities. ÜSAD Infection Working Group Chair Assoc. Prof. Berna Kömürcüoğlu emphasized that enclosed spaces are the highest-risk areas for COVID-19 transmission during these autumn days, and should be avoided unless necessary. At a time when the Ministry of Health has announced that individuals eligible for flu vaccination can be monitored through the e-Nabız system, important guidance has also come from the Turkish Respiratory Research Association (TÜSAD). TÜSAD Infection Working Group Chair Assoc. Prof. Berna Kömürcüoğlu noted that COVID-19 and seasonal influenza symptoms and findings can be confused. Kömürcüoğlu, pointing out that clinically distinguishing between these two diseases is very difficult, made the following assessment: "Sore throat, cough, and fever are the most common symptoms in both diseases. While it has been reported that cold symptoms are less common in COVID-19, we know from recent publications that loss of smell (anosmia) is frequently observed. However, generally among the public, symptoms we know as a cold—such as nasal discharge, congestion, and headache—that are not accompanied by fever can primarily be evaluated as cold-related. Persistent fever and increasing cough, shortness of breath should be considered as findings in favor of COVID-19." Kömürcüoğlu, particularly emphasizing that both diseases can occur in the same person (co-infection), provided the following information: "Such cases are thought to cause clinical complications. For this reason, we recommend that healthcare workers and individuals in risk groups get the influenza vaccine."

CAUTION WITH ENCLOSED SPACES!

Kömürcüoğlu, noting that enclosed spaces are the highest-risk areas for COVID-19 transmission during autumn, stated: "We should avoid prolonged stays in closed and crowded environments as much as possible. It should be remembered that paying attention to hand hygiene will provide protection against both seasonal influenza and COVID-19."

FLU VACCINE DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19

Kömürcüoğlu, noting that flu and pneumonia vaccines are of great importance in certain age groups and some chronic diseases, but do not provide protection against COVID-19, provided the following information: "The influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, and isolation, masks, and social distancing rules must definitely be followed this winter. The pneumonia vaccine also has no protective effect against COVID-19 pneumonia. However, what we call secondary infection—pneumococcal infections added in severe patients hospitalized in hospitals and intensive care units—is only effective in making those infections milder."

MONITORING THROUGH E-NABIZ SYSTEM

Kömürcüoğlu, also noting that there has been a very significant surge in demand for flu vaccines worldwide and in our country this year, recalled the following information regarding implementation: "According to the latest information, the incoming vaccines are planned to be administered primarily to high-risk groups. The Turkish Republic Ministry of Health issues approval for a vaccine prescription or a message stating you are not eligible based on a risk assessment according to patients' comorbidities. After the prescription is written, approved patients can have the vaccine delivered from warehouses; paid vaccine sales on demand will not occur this year. The system began implementation as of 21 October 2020. Through the e-nabız system, everyone can see their own risk assessment and whether a vaccine can be prescribed. It was announced that individuals unable to reach priority vaccination will be reassessed at a later date."