Experts point out that the symptoms of flu, cold and flu and Covid-19 are very similar to each other, and that the distinctive feature that distinguishes coronavirus infection from others is that it descends and spreads much faster from the lower respiratory tract to the lungs. Stating that the perception that the pneumonia and flu vaccine protects against Covid-19 is completely wrong, experts emphasize that precautions must be followed. Experts also draw attention to the difference between shortness of breath in anxiety and shortness of breath in Covid-19.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Songül Özer stated that although there are similarities between infectious diseases common in the winter season and Covid-19, there are important differences.
If symptoms last more than two days, consult a doctor!
As physicians, Dr. Songül Özer stated that instead of trying to distinguish people, when the symptoms begin, if they last longer than two days, they recommend that they reach their nearest family physicians, health center, state hospital or private hospital:
"There are many infections such as colds, flu, flu, coronavirus. Among these, only hemophilus influenza is a bacterium. Flu, colds, colds and Covid-19 are virus diseases. Therefore, their symptoms are actually very similar. For example, fever, muscle pain, weakness and loss of appetite are very prominent in flu. It becomes difficult to go to work or even stand at home.
Coronavirus reaches the lungs
The common cold also starts with a runny nose, burning and redness in the eyes and an itchy feeling in the throat. Cough is usually not seen in colds. It is a virus infection that mostly affects the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms of coronavirus and these are actually very similar. What distinguishes the coronavirus infection from others and makes it more important is that it can descend and spread much faster from the lower respiratory tract to the lungs. Unfortunately, the severe picture is already caused by lung infection and pneumonia, i.e. pneumonia. It is not limited to the upper respiratory tract like a cold, it goes down to the lower respiratory tract and high fever is of course a significant factor in this. Others cause problems such as loss of appetite and weight loss. These are almost the same in almost all of them."
Pneumonia vaccine does not protect against Covid-19!
Stating that it is known that coronavirus causes pneumonia, Özer said, "There is also a pneumonia vaccine that has been on the market for a long time. However, there is a misperception among the public that 'If I get the pneumonia vaccine, I will be protected from pneumonia caused by coronavirus and that severe picture'. We receive a lot of questions about this. It is true that we want pneumonia vaccine to be administered in certain cases. This is a pneumococcal vaccine, a bacterial vaccine. The infection we call coronavirus is a virus, so we are talking about a completely separate virus and bacteria. The pneumonia vaccine will never protect against pneumonia caused by Covid-19. If this vaccine is to be given to protect against pneumonia caused by coronavirus, it should not be given because it does not have such an effect."
Who should get the pneumonia vaccine?
Pointing out that pneumonia vaccine should be given to people in the risk group, Dr. Songül Özer said, "We strongly recommend pneumonia vaccine to people with low immunity, people who have had their spleen removed for a special reason, who have had diseases such as diabetes and tuberculosis, who have kidney disease and who have to use immunosuppressive drugs. The bacterial infection we call pneumococcus already looks for the body's weak moment. If a person is infected with coronavirus and also gets this bacterial infection, the likelihood of a severe case increases. This vaccine prevents the aggravation of the existing picture, which we call super infection. If the person has no discomfort, does not use any medication, even if he is over 65-70 years old, if he has no predisposing factors, he should not have this vaccine to protect against lung infection caused by coronavirus."
The flu vaccine also has no preventive effect against Covid-19
Stating that influenza is a virus infection like Covid-19, Özer said, "The microorganism that creates the flu is a microorganism that changes its antigenic structure very frequently, such as influenza and corona. Our people know that the flu vaccine changes once a year. In other words, since the virus changes its antigenic structure, the vaccine given last year will not protect the person this year, so it is necessary to be vaccinated with the new flu vaccine this year. The same risk group mentioned for pneumonia also applies to influenza. Likewise, the flu vaccine does not protect the person from coronavirus. If a person infected with coronavirus infection gets the flu on top of it, the picture worsens. We recommend vaccination only for people in the risk group, as we have stated in order to prevent the aggravation of this picture."
Shortness of breath in anxiety is different
Clarifying the difference between shortness of breath in anxiety and shortness of breath in Covid-19, Özer said, "There is no continuous shortness of breath in anxiety. In anxiety, a situation, emotion or event triggers the person. Palpitations and shortness of breath occur with that feeling. But in coronavirus, there is a continuous shortness of breath. In other words, Covid-19 does not need to be triggered by any situation and is not temporary as in anxiety. Shortness of breath caused by coronavirus is not the first symptom. In addition, the panic of 'I will die soon' in anxiety is not experienced in coronavirus. There is shortness of breath for a long time, for days and accompanied by coughing. Anyway, shortness of breath that progresses with cough and sputum is not common in anxiety. If these symptoms are present, the person is suffering from an infection other than anxiety."
