Rising Respiratory Illnesses in Türkiye: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Concerns
Recent observations in Türkiye indicate a rise in respiratory illnesses, particularly affecting young children, as the summer ends. While COVID-19 cases are increasing, experts emphasize the importance of differentiating symptoms from those of influenza (the flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Testing for COVID-19 is currently largely reliant on antigen tests performed at home or PCR tests conducted in hospital laboratories, as many polyclinics remain closed. Emergency services continue to offer testing in the event of a significant case increase. Though,doctors caution against solely relying on symptoms like high fever,sore throat,or cough for diagnosis,as these are common to flu and other respiratory infections.
Young Children Most Affected
Dr. suleyman Alpar notes that global data suggests the recent increase in COVID-19 cases is disproportionately impacting young children. He reports the highest application rates are currently seen in the 0-4 age group. While official data for children in Türkiye is unavailable, Dr. Alpar’s observations in the field paint a clear picture.
Following the summer vacation, emergency services have seen a surge in applications from nursery and preschool children experiencing upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. “Fire and upper respiratory tract symptoms are at the forefront. Supporting treatment and at home isolation is usually sufficient,” Dr. Alpar stated. He stressed the importance of reminder doses for children with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.
Co-infection Possibility & Current Trends
Professor Dr. Ahmet Soysal clarifies that a “unification” of COVID-19,influenza,and RSV is not occurring. He emphasizes that currently, flu and RSV infections appear to be presenting more severely than COVID-19.
“In rare cases, a child may experience both RSV and COVID-19 or influenza and COVID-19 infection at the same time,” Professor Soysal explained, adding that the clinical presentation in such cases is typically dominated by the symptoms of the most prevalent virus, though symptoms from other viruses may also be present.
Preventative Measures
professor Soysal reiterated that COVID-19 spreads through droplets and airborne transmission, highlighting the importance of preventative measures. He stressed avoiding contact with sick individuals and emphasized the critical need to keep sick children home from school or nursery, urging administrations to enforce this diligently.
He also recommended prioritizing well-ventilated spaces over crowded, closed environments and suggested that individuals with chronic conditions or more severe illnesses consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings. Professor Soysal underscored the importance of frequent handwashing with soap and water as a vital component in combating the spread of the virus.