In these days when the winter season is approaching, I would like to talk about flu infections, which are the most important disease group waiting for our children. These infections generally increase due to cooler weather and living in crowded indoor environments. This approximately corresponds to the first weeks of school opening.
Flu infections are diseases of the upper respiratory tract. When upper respiratory tract is mentioned, pharynx, larynx, nose, sinuses and ears come to mind. Tonsils and adenoids, which are important lymphoid organs, are also located in this region.
Upper respiratory tract infections are the group of diseases that children most commonly contract. It occurs on average 2-3 times a year. Since school-age children are more likely to infect each other, this number can reach up to 6-7 in healthy children. This does not mean that there is a deficiency in the child's immune system.
The upper respiratory tract is not completely free of germs. In healthy individuals, certain microorganisms live here, but they do not cause disease. Different microorganisms cause upper respiratory tract infection, but the symptoms and clinical findings are very similar.
Approximately 85% of the microorganisms that cause these diseases are viruses. As it is known, antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. The most common mistake is unnecessary antibiotics used in these cases.
Flu infections usually begin with symptoms of malaise, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, burning in the throat, headache, and sometimes fever. All of these symptoms may not always occur together, one or more of them may be observed. Usually the course of the disease does not exceed 7 days. Rarely, when a bacterial infection is added, it can lead to conditions such as sinusitis, middle ear infection, and lung infection. When these complications develop, appropriate antibiotic treatment may be required.
When a flu infection occurs, it is important to rest the child at home so that it does not spread to other children and to overcome the disease more easily by resting. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and eat light foods. Depending on the symptoms that occur, antipyretics should be given if necessary, and the nose should be cleaned with physiological saline or sea water. When complications develop, treatment with appropriate medications recommended by the doctor
As with every disease, preventive measures are more important than treating flu infections when the disease occurs. The easiest and most effective method is to frequently ventilate crowded spaces. This is very effective in preventing person-to-person transmission. In addition, there is a vaccine for influenza infection, and it is recommended to be given to children in the risk group, especially those with chronic diseases. Since there is no reason for it not to be used other than egg allergy, it can be administered to anyone who does not have an allergy and wants to be vaccinated.
I wish our children a happy and successful school year, free from diseases.
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