Experts Predict Milder Flu Season This Year

The temperature changes that occur in autumn trigger certain changes in all living organisms to help them adapt to the new season. Just as trees shed their leaves, during the preparation for seasonal transformation in the human body, weakening can occur in the immune system.

Noting that as the weather cools, the number of viruses that cause colds and flu increases, Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu, Internal Medicine Specialist at Acıbadem Kadıköy Hospital, says "Children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases are affected more by flu outbreaks due to weakened immune systems. For this reason, we especially recommend vaccination for this group." While explaining 10 effective ways to protect against flu, Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu also comments on the relationship between the Covid-19 threat and flu: "We do not yet know whether a person who has had Covid-19 will get the flu or whether a person who has had the flu will contract Covid-19."

Those with weak immune systems are prone to flu

The "rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus" families that emerge in autumn and winter cause cold and common cold complaints that afflict nearly all of us. While these ailments are easier to get over, flu, which causes high fever, can become more dangerous. Noting that the influenza virus that causes flu changes annually and appears with a new strain each year, Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu, states: "Since our immune system recognizes the previous type of these viruses, the risk of catching a cold or flu again increases. Especially children, the elderly or those with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, COPD and asthma become more prone to flu because their immune systems are weak."

The relationship between Covid-19 and flu remains unclear

The biggest question on everyone's mind this year is whether Covid-19 and influenza viruses have an effect on each other or whether there are risk-increasing aspects during the continuing pandemic. Stating that answers to the questions "Does having the flu increase the risk of contracting Covid-19? Can it cause the disease to progress more severely?" are not yet known, Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu says: "We think the incidence of colds and flu will be lower this year. Because hygiene rules are being strictly adhered to in order to prevent Covid-19 infection. Viral infections spread through droplets. Since we no longer have social interactions such as handshakes or kisses, and social distancing is being observed, the spread rate of flu may be lower."

'Pay attention to symptoms, consult a doctor'

Reminding that flu and Covid-19 have common symptoms, and that both diseases present with weakness and high fever, Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu, warns: "Covid-19 involves problems with taste and smell, shortness of breath and dry cough. In flu, nasal congestion and sore throat are more common. Fever above 39 degrees, shortness of breath, severe headache, severe cough and/or general malaise require immediate medical attention." Emphasizing that using antibiotics to prevent flu and colds is extremely harmful, that the existing defense system collapses due to antibiotics, and that this situation creates a fertile ground for viral multiplication, Dr. Yaser Süleymanoğlu lists the effective protective measures as follows:  

1. Wearing masks, observing social distance and hygiene rules,
2. Consuming plenty of green vegetables, citrus fruits, vegetables, pool water, onions, garlic, nigella seeds and turmeric—in short, eating protein and vitamin-rich foods,
3. Consuming plenty of fluids,
4. Keeping living spaces clean and ventilating them frequently,
5. Staying away from crowds,
6. Taking vitamin C and D supplements if nutrition alone is insufficient,
7. Engaging in active, brisk walking,
8. Maintaining home environments at the ideal temperature of 21-22 degrees,
9. Sleeping regularly and uninterruptedly for an average of 7-8 hours per day,
10. Vaccinating those over 65 years of age, children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, blood disorders and hypertension against flu and pneumonia.