Speaking about covid cases seen in children in recent days, Pediatrics Specialist. Dr. Abdullah Sert said, “For the last 2-3 weeks, we have already seen an increase in covid density and positivity rate in children. We see an increase in the frequency of all kinds of viral and bacterial infections. We recommend families to consult a physician in case of a persistent fever that does not go down. In severe infections, we see life-threatening pictures that we have seen before, which can cause lung damage.”
Due to the decrease in air temperatures and the increase in the time spent indoors, experts warn against respiratory infections in children. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Aygün from Istanbul University- Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine and Biruni University Hospital Chief Physician, Pediatrics Specialist Assoc. Dr. Abdullah Sert also stated that there is an increase in covid and other respiratory infections in children. Stating that families bring their children to hospitals with complaints such as fever, sore throat and runny nose, experts said that sick children should be isolated at home for a while. They warned against taking medication or food supplements without a physician's recommendation.
“There is an increase in emergency room applications”
Stating that they generally expect an increase with the cooling of the weather, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Aygün said, “With the autumn, winter season and the opening of schools, there is an increase in emergency room applications in children, especially in respiratory viruses. Symptoms are fever, cough, weakness, malaise, malaise, sometimes in the form of discharge from the eyes, runny nose, but although viruses are respiratory viruses, they can also come with systemic involvement in the form of diarrhea. We see Covid cases, but not only Covid, we have some respiratory viruses that we expect in this season; rhinovirus, influenza, that is, flu. We do not have a very intense Covid-19 case as much as the pandemic, but we have recently observed an increase in covid positivity in patients who come with the current complaints I mentioned. Apart from Covid-19, we are also expecting an increase in influenza, that is, the flu virus, with the arrival of the season. We have influenza vaccine, we think that we can overcome the cases by taking general respiratory measures. We do not particularly recommend any food supplements, it would be appropriate for the child to have a balanced, healthy diet, to take the foods that should be in the normal nutrition pyramid, and to eat appropriately in season. As a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and pediatrician, my suggestion to families is to follow our national vaccination schedule. Sick children should not be sent to school or should stay away from sick people and crowded environments.”
“We have been seeing an increase in covid density and positivity rate for 2-3 weeks”
Stating that being together in crowded environments is effective on cases, Pediatrics Specialist. Dr. Abdullah Sert said, “With the start of schools, we see an increase in the frequency of all kinds of viral and bacterial infections as children are now together in crowded environments. Covid has recently become a more feared virus because it has caused a pandemic. However, with the pandemic losing its effect, it has turned into a virus that causes flu infections like other viruses. The beginning of everything is actually a high fever, a high fever usually indicates the onset of an infection in us. This can be a viral infection or a bacterial infection. We recommend that families consult a pediatrician in case of a persistent fever that does not go down and disrupts the general condition of the child. In terms of contagiousness, we can say that contagiousness increases in children because they are constantly together in rough environments and schools. In such cases, if a child has a fever, it is extremely important not to send them to school until the fever is gone or until they are examined by a physician in order to reduce contagiousness. We already see that the covid density and positivity rate has increased in children in the last 2-3 weeks.”
“We never recommend food supplements or medication without physician control”
“We think we will see a frequent infection,” said Uzm. Prof. Dr. Sert stated that schools should act consciously at home and said, “It is absolutely necessary to isolate and wear a mask at home so that other family members are not affected. We recommend that the child should not go to school for at least 3-4 days until the fever and symptoms improve. In severe infections, we see life-threatening pictures that we have seen before, which can cause lung damage, but we often encounter symptoms such as flu infections, high fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose. We can say that infections have a more severe course in children with chronic diseases, inadequate immune systems and inadequate and balanced nutrition. Preventing them from getting sick requires proper hygiene and good isolation. We do not recommend taking any food supplements or medication without a doctor's supervision and advice. If antibiotics or any other treatment is to be initiated, it is absolutely necessary to decide after a medical check-up. Adequate and balanced nutrition, a good immune system protects our children against diseases, we need to be conscious in this sense.”
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