Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Increased

In the autumn we entered under the shadow of Covid-19, which continues its effect in our country as well as the whole world, many diseases, especially upper respiratory tract infections, started to appear frequently when the cold weather added to the opening of schools and spending more time in closed areas. But beware! Acıbadem International Hospital Emergency Department Responsible Physician Dr. Rıdvan Acar stated that it is not right for the patient to apply to the emergency service even though it is not necessary to worry about his complaints such as colds (flu) that he may spend at home in some cases during the pandemic. We suggest you go. Thus, in the emergency services, specialists can have time to spare for patients in urgent need, and also keeps the applicant away from different risks of infection. Emergency Physician Dr. Rıdvan Acar stated that there is a great increase in applications to emergency services these days, and listed the most common reasons for application; He explained the symptoms that should be considered before going to the emergency room in the pandemic, and made important warnings and suggestions.

Before going to the emergency room for a cold and flu…

The cold weather increases the rate of admissions to the emergency room with cold or flu symptoms. Upper respiratory tract infections with complaints such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and cough can be confused with Covid-19 due to some common symptoms. Dr. Rıdvan Acar said, “However, if there is no emergency such as high fever or shortness of breath, instead of applying to the emergency room in the first place, it is important for the person to rest at home, observe himself, consume foods rich in vitamin C, sleep for enough time and drink plenty of water. If necessary, an outpatient doctor can be consulted. In this process, it is necessary to be very careful not to use antibiotics without the recommendation of the doctor, because antibiotics do not affect viruses.

Beware of these complaints!

Stating that some complaints will not be delayed and in this case, it is absolutely necessary to apply to the emergency service, Dr. Rıdvan Acar says: “Difficulty of breath, anaphylaxis (a very serious allergic reaction), chest pain, sudden onset stomach, head and low back pains should be taken into consideration. However, the sudden onset of headache, which is one of the most common causes of admission to the emergency department, and whether there are signs of meningitis such as fever, vomiting and neck stiffness accompanying the headache should be checked. Patients should apply to the emergency department according to their answers to these questions. Otherwise, the treatment of a person who had a heart attack in the emergency room may be blocked!”

If these complaints accompany abdominal pain!

Abdominal pain, which is perceived as a childhood complaint, is also among the first in adults to apply to the emergency department. Dr. Rıdvan Acar stated that abdominal pain can generally be caused by non-emergency situations such as intestinal infections and constipation. Blurring of consciousness and the smell of acetone from the mouth should remind us of diabetic ketoacidosis (ie, a serious disorder with excessive blood sugar, excessive fluid loss and acidic rise in the blood). Again, in cases of sudden onset of abdominal pain, accompanying loss of appetite and severe diarrhea, it is necessary to apply to the emergency room without losing time.

If there is a fever in children, beware!

Stating that the reason why children are brought to the emergency room is usually high fever, and that during the pandemic period, Covid-19 patients often apply to the emergency room with the complaint of high fever. Ridvan Acar; He says that in a patient with high fever, the risk of meningitis should be considered. Noting that findings such as gushing vomiting, neck stiffness, severe headache and rash on the body may indicate meningitis, Dr. Rıdvan Acar says that there is also the danger of febrile convulsions in children due to high fever, therefore, those who have fever of 38 degrees and above should be brought to the emergency room, despite the application of antipyretic syrup and warm shower, and the application of a cloth dipped in cold water to the joints of the body.

Beware of waist and back pain!

Emphasizing that low back and back pain, which are among the symptoms of heart attack, are also among the reasons for the application of emergency service specialists. Rıdvan Akar draws attention to the critical distinction in low back and back pain, which is common in the society, and says: “There are questions about whether there was pain before, whether the pain started suddenly, whether there is a history of herniated disc. Very severe and sudden onset back pain may indicate a tear in the aorta. Sometimes kidney pain is confused with low back pain. In this case, examination and necessary tests should be done as soon as possible.

If you have dizziness...

Regarding vertigo, which is one of the frequently applied conditions to the emergency department, Dr. Rıdvan Acar gives the following information: “If vertigo originates from the central nervous system, neurological examination findings may accompany it and it is an emergency. If it originates from the ear, severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting also occur. Complaints increase with a change in head position. Treatment is arranged to reduce the patient's complaints.