The combination of three viruses – COVID-19, influenza and RSV, referred to by experts as the “triple epidemic”, causes upper respiratory infections that have become more frequent in recent times, doctors warn.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common respiratory pathogen that can infect the respiratory system of patients of any age, but it predominantly affects children.
RSV is the most common cause of respiratory tract infections in children younger than 2 years. Its symptoms are similar to those of other viral respiratory infections.
Older people and children under the age of five are most at risk. “In addition to the flu, there is also a significant increase in RSV. And if you add COVID-19, hospitals across Europe and Turkey are filling up more and more,” explained Muhammed Emin Akkoyunlu. a Turkish chest specialist.
“When these three viruses come together, it takes patients a long time to recover,” the specialist added.
“Even if the infection goes away, secondary bacterial infections can easily occur later. The disease can sometimes last for more than a month,” he added.
The fact that people stop observing sanitation due to the slowdown in the pandemic will increase the spread of these three viruses, especially in the winter, said Iftikhar Köksal, an infectious disease doctor.
“Cases of RSV are on the rise compared to previous winters. Serious respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia, can develop in about 15% of the elderly and children after the triple outbreak. That’s why I recommend getting a flu shot.” , noted Koksal.
The main measures against the triple outbreak are washing hands and avoiding close contact with infected people, he noted.
This season alone, Turkey’s flu hospitalization rate is about five times higher than in the pre-pandemic season, experts warn.
