With the Right Precautions, We Can Get Through Covid-19 Like a Simple Flu

Like elsewhere in the world, the number of coronavirus cases is rising daily in our country. Most of us now know that the virus spreads through droplets expelled by infected individuals when they cough, sneeze and sneeze. We also know that while these viruses maintain their viability on all types of surfaces, they travel through our hands toward our cells. Assoc. Prof. Hacer Kuzu Okur, Pulmonology Specialist at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, states: "The virus can survive on inanimate surfaces outside the human body for up to 4 days. The primary source for coronavirus is infected patients. It is sick people, not healthy ones, who need to wear masks. Because viruses released into the air through respiratory droplets from our respiratory tract are either inhaled directly or, after remaining suspended in the air for a time, land on surfaces and while maintaining their viability, we pick up the virus from places we touch with our hands. Once the virus contacts our hands, if we touch our eyes, nose, mouth and face without washing, the virus begins its journey through our body. When the virus comes into contact with the mucous membrane of our upper respiratory tract; if we rinse and wet the mucosa with water and swallow it, the virus cannot survive in stomach acid. For this reason, drinking water and rinsing our mouth frequently is just as important as washing our hands," he said.

Covid-19 travels through our body

Once the virus enters our upper respiratory tract, it quickly begins to multiply because it finds a suitable environment for reproduction. When it overcomes our defense system and continues to multiply rapidly, it affects our bronchi, the lower respiratory tract, causing bronchitis and pneumonia. Assoc. Prof. Hacer Kuzu Okur states: "When the virus multiplies extensively, fluid begins to accumulate in a large number of air sacs, and large numbers of defense cells attack. The lungs, filled with virus, defense cells and water, cannot function and fail."

Watch out for simple seasonal flu

Assoc. Prof. Hacer Kuzu Okur, noting that our body's ability to fight coronavirus is determined by our immune system, speaks as follows: "After the virus enters the mucous membrane of our upper respiratory tract, the strength of our body to fight the virus changes our course. If you have chronic diseases such as asthma or COPD, or if you smoke, or if you have weakness in your immune system, hospitalization may be required. People with good and healthy immune systems can overcome the infection like a simple flu even if they have been exposed to the virus. However, if there is an underlying disease that compromises the immune system, the virus can cause illness within 1-14 days." Assoc. Prof. Hacer Kuzu Okur emphasizes that to protect against coronavirus, maintaining a distance of 1-1.5 meters, washing hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds after contact with surfaces or cleaning with alcohol-based hand antiseptic, and not bringing hands to the face are essential. During this period, staying at home is critical, much more so than people think. He stresses: "Just because spring has arrived, let's not be in forests or breathing sea air. Everyone who does not have to go out should turn off their social life and stay at home!"

Protecting our elderly is important

Assoc. Prof. Hacer Kuzu Okur, noting that Covid-19 can be fatal, especially in elderly people and those with chronic diseases, states: "As age increases, malnutrition occurs and the immune system weakens. To protect our elderly, we need to pay close attention to maintaining close distance rules with them and their nutrition. Malnutrition and fatigue can lead to more severe cases. Additionally, even if we are in close proximity of less than 1-1.5 meters for less than 15 minutes, if we are infected with the virus, we can transmit it to them," he says.