Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Lecturer Erdinç Şengüldür provided information about the serum and emphasized that it should not be used without a physician's permission and supervision.
Dr. Lecturer Erdinç Şengüldür, who began his speech by defining serum as “Doctors and other scientists call the remaining fluid after blood clotting as serum,” said, “This fluid does not contain cells and clotting factors, it contains electrolytes, proteins (especially albumin and immunoglobulins), hormones, enzymes, antibodies and metabolic waste. Serum, as it is commonly known, can be defined as any fluid and drug treatment administered to the patient intravenously.”
Şengüldür, who emphasized that doctors decide to administer intravenous treatment to patients, or in other words, serum, said, “Like any medication, serum will also be beneficial when used in cases of medical necessity. Serum treatment is not applied at the request of the patient, but at the discretion of the physician within the indication.” He emphasized that serum should not be used without the physician’s decision and supervision.
Stating that there are many different types of liquids called serum, Dr. Lecturer Erdinç Şengüldür said, “Not every serum can be used on every patient due to the differences in the density of electrolytes and other components they contain. In addition, there is a risk that every drug put into these serums will cause allergic reactions. Possible side effects and allergic reactions can be fatal if the necessary intervention is not made. For this reason, it is not appropriate to perform serum treatment outside of health institutions without the supervision of a physician. It is not appropriate to apply serum treatment in areas where it is not possible to perform the necessary intervention when undesirable effects occur, even under the supervision of a physician. Physicians or healthcare personnel who apply these treatments without taking the necessary precautions may also face legal sanctions.”
Şengüldür, who stated that intravenous fluid treatments have been used for many years for a wide range of patients, from all kinds of injuries to cancer treatments, said that many serums used in hospitalized patients and patients receiving first aid in emergency services are offered to the service of physicians and patients. He also emphasized that all of these serums are applied in cases of medical necessity and after the necessary precautions are taken with the decision of the physician.
“It does not provide immediate relief to the patient, nor does it speed up the treatment”
Dr. Lecturer Erdinç Şengüldür, who also provided information about the liquid defined as yellow serum or atom, said, “These names are given to solutions that can be prepared in different ways by various people and generally contain drugs such as vitamins, painkillers, antihistamines. These vitamins and drugs are generally given to patients with 500 cc liquids, which are the same volume as two glasses of water. Yellow serum, which many people see as a miracle, usually consists of two glasses of water and some vitamins. It does not provide immediate healing to the patient, does not speed up the treatment, and as our people say, does not get them back on their feet immediately.”
What Health Problems Does Incorrect or Unnecessary Use of Serum Cause?
Reminding that all drugs, regardless of their function and name, have the risk of allergy and anaphylaxis, Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Emergency Medicine Department Head Dr. Lecturer Erdinç Şengüldür said, “Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction that can lead to respiratory arrest and death. Deaths due to serum treatments administered outside of health facilities without a doctor's recommendation usually occur due to anaphylaxis. Vitamin B drugs, which are placed in serums called atoms and give them a yellow color, are drugs with a high risk of causing allergic reactions. Many drugs placed in 'Atom' serums other than B vitamins can also cause these reactions. Conditions that can range from simple allergic reactions to anaphylaxis and death can develop.
“When used at the right time and in the right dose, drugs are therapeutic; however, in the wrong dose and in the wrong patient, they can turn into deadly poisons. Using a serum or other drug outside of a doctor’s recommendation has the potential to cause more harm than good to the patient. We ask our patients not to insist on treatments not recommended by their doctors and not to try to access these treatments through other means.” he concluded his statement.
