“WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT, BUT
THERE IS A LOT WE STILL DO NOT KNOW”
The whole world is going through a difficult period. Millions of people were infected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and around 1 million people died. Countries have taken and continue to take various measures to protect their citizens from the epidemic. It is certain that this winter will not be like other winters. The normalization process, which started when the course of the epidemic abated, is gradually being replaced by precautions in all countries. Strategic decisions are implemented according to changes in the number of cases in our country. We have learned a lot about coronavirus in the past time, but what we still do not know is more than what we know.
"THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD IS MASK-DISTANCE-CLEANING TRIO"
Vaccine studies on the virus It is continuing rapidly. It seems that good results will be obtained by the end of 2020. Considering that there is still no vaccine for diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis-C, the current point is considered quite successful. I cannot help but add that no matter how advanced technology the world has moved to, the most effective method at the moment is mask-distance. -cleaning trio.
WHAT IS WAITING FOR US THIS WINTER?
With the end of the summer period, working life has become more intense. Some institutions and companies have introduced flexible working or working from home systems. Even if it passes, there will still be a working population going to work every day. The density of public transportation vehicles may cause the infection to increase. The method of changing the working hours of different sectors in Istanbul can also be applied in other cities depending on the situation. In addition, the time spent in the park, garden or on the balcony in the summer months is closed in the winter months. will be spent in environments. Lack of adequate ventilation will also increase the risk of contamination.
“WE WILL HAVE TO DO TESTING IN MANY CASES”
It is certain that this winter will not be like other winters. Since the symptoms of coronavirus disease are very similar to other upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, anyone who coughs and has a sore throat will worry that they have caught coronavirus. We, as physicians, will also have difficulty in making a differential diagnosis. We will have to test in many cases.
-What precautions can we take individually? What should we eat and drink? Should we use supplements?
Nutritional supplements?
Balanced nutrition is important in coronavirus infection, as in every disease. The Mediterranean type of diet, that is, a diet consisting mainly of fresh vegetables, fruits and olive oil dishes, is important. A Mediterranean diet is recommended instead of ready-made frozen foods, fried foods and a fiber-free diet.
So, what is the relationship between nutritional elements, vitamins and minerals and coronavirus?
In current studies, there are no direct effects other than vitamin D. There is no effective vitamin or mineral. However, in general, it is recommended to consume enough items known to be related to the defense system. When we look at the literature, it is recommended to choose foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, B6 and B12, zinc and iron. A person who pays attention to his daily diet and consumes meat, grain bread, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and nuts such as hazelnuts will get enough vitamins and minerals.
The most popular ones are vitamin C and zinc. There are studies on the use of vitamin C and zinc in the treatment of coronavirus, but there is not enough evidence for their use in treatment.
I recommend a fiber diet during this period because fiber-containing vegetables and fruits are valuable for the intestinal microbiota and we know that the microbiota is related to our defense system.
Vegetable oils and omega 3-6 are also important nutrients due to their anti-inflammatory antioxidant effects. For this reason, we can increase fish consumption instead of red meat.
As for vitamin D; It has been proven to be important in coronavirus disease. In fact, when patients who caught coronavirus were investigated retrospectively, it was found that those with low vitamin D levels were more sick. We can make the following inference from here: People with normal vitamin D have a reduced risk of developing the disease even if they encounter the virus, and they are protected against coronavirus disease.
In those who have had coronavirus disease, the disease is milder in those with normal vitamin D. It has been found that those with normal vitamin D levels are less likely to enter intensive care. I definitely recommend that those with vitamin D deficiency receive treatment.
Is there a need to use supplements?
If there is vitamin D deficiency, this condition should definitely be treated. It should be treated with medications in the form of drops or capsules. Di There is no need to take supplements for other vitamins and minerals. A well-nourished person does not need external supplements. Individuals who cannot eat well due to their life or work can benefit from supplements. I want to draw attention to something; They should not try to buy every product they see on the internet and on television. The perception that the more vitamins we take, the healthier we will be, is a wrong perception.
Should we get the pneumonia vaccine?
First of all, I should point out that the pneumonia vaccine has no effect against coronavirus. So where did this discussion come from? Both coronavirus and pneumonia damage the lungs. If we get the pneumonia vaccine, it will at least protect us from getting both corona and pneumonia at the same time. There is chaos right now because the demand for the vaccine is high. Risk groups should be the priority when it comes to vaccination.
Who should get pneumonia vaccination and flu vaccine?
Pneumonia vaccine; Anyone over the age of 65, those with chronic kidney, lung, heart and liver diseases, those with cardiovascular disease, those with diabetes, those with organ transplants, those receiving treatments that weaken the immune system, those with ear (cochlear) implants, those with HIV infection, those without a spleen, those with sickle cell disease. It is recommended for people with disease and alcoholics.
Flu vaccination should be given to those over 65 and under 2 years of age, pregnant women, chronic heart, lung, liver and kidney patients, and those living in nursing homes.
Apart from this, people who want to get vaccinated can get it from the pharmacy.
Since the first day of the pandemic, I have been working at a slow pace, like many of my colleagues. While taking care of patients, I try to follow the newly acquired information in the world. I also exchange ideas with our colleagues and professors and try to apply the treatment that will be most beneficial to my patients. New information is obtained every day, sometimes the information we previously accepted as correct may change and as a physician, I have to follow it.
“THE PANDEMIC PROCESS IS DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US”
The pandemic process is difficult for all of us. It is difficult for the patient, the patient's relatives, and us healthcare professionals. We are faced with a disease for which there is no cure and we still do not fully understand what it is. All The world is going through tragic days. Unfortunately, some people underestimate the incident. I would like to share this memory of mine in terms of the strikingness of the event. I had a patient who was in his 40s. They were sleeping as a family, they all infected each other with the disease. His father was in intensive care. He could not get information from his father. Unfortunately, one day the news of his father's death came. He was also receiving treatment in the hospital. He couldn't go to his father's funeral. He was discharged and able to go home 4-5 days after the funeral. Unfortunately, we are going through such a process, everyone should be careful. I saw my parents twice in 6 months. When I went to them, I sat on the balcony and wore a mask while walking around the house. It's hard but I have to do it this way.
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