Patients with Covid-19 have a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe disease symptoms. The main symptoms of Covid-19 are: sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, arthralgia, backache, pain in the whole body, headache, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. profdromerdeniz.com.

Airborne transmission is the main mode of transmission of the Sars Cov-2 virus. An individual infected with Sars Cov-2 virus might release small particles and droplets containing the virus in the ambient air by coughing, sneezing, talking, etc. These particles or droplets containing viruses might be inhaled by other people, and thus these individuals might be infected with the virus.  In addition, these virus containing particles or droplets can directly stick to the mouths, noses, eyes of other individuals. Or, sometimes these particles or droplets can contaminate the surrounding items. The virus can also be transmitted due to touching these surrounding items.

The main mode of transmission of Sars Cov-2 virus is airborne transmission.  With airborne transmission, Sars-Cov-2 virus can be transmitted to mouth, nose, upper airways and alveoli, which is the smallest unit of the lungs where gas is exchanged, that is, to the extreme points of the lung.

In addition, individuals infected with Sars Cov-2 virus should wear masks to prevent these individuals to spread virus while they are speaking, sneezing, coughing, etc. It greatly reduces the spread of viruses to their environment.

For the reasons explained above, wearing a mask is very important to prevent virus transmission.

The main problem seen in Covid-19 is lung involvement. In a significant part of patients with lung involvement, the process results in recovery without any significant problems in the lungs, but in some patients, involvement in the lungs becomes widespread and severe respiratory failure may occur. Patients with severe respiratory failure may need to be given high levels of oxygen with a ventilator, followed up and treated in the intensive care unit. profdromerdeniz.com. Furthermore, patients with Covid-19 may have more coagulation problems than those with other pneumonias.  One of the most important factors contributing to respiratory failure is this clot formation observed in Covid-19.  profdromerdeniz.com.

There is no known cure for Covid-19 disease. There is no drug that completely eradicates the Sars Cov-2 virus in patients with Covid 19. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown to be beneficial in the early stages of the disease. profdromerdeniz.com. Hospitalized patients may benefit from supportive therapy including appropriate hydration, vitamins, blood thinners, cortisone therapy, and oxygen therapy. Intensive care follow-up and use of ventilators may be necessary for some patients. profdromerdeniz.com.

Coronavac (sinovac) is an inactivated virus vaccine. In the inactivated vaccine, there are other antigens of the virus as well as spike protein antigens. profdromerdeniz.com. Since there is no live virus in the inactivated vaccine, it does not cause a viral disease. After this vaccine is administered, mainly humoral immunity (immunity with antibody production) is formed against the antigens in the vaccine. There is little or no cellular immunity (absence of antibodies, predominant macrophage and T-cell immunity) against inactivated vaccines. profdromerdeniz.com. The protection of Coronavac against the Covid-19 infection caused by original Sars-Cov-2 virus (with no significant mutations) was reported between 50.7% and 84%. profdromerdeniz.com

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine can be described roughly as that it consists of modified mRNA that carries the code for the spike protein receptor binding domain antigen surrounded by lipid nanoparticles. profdromerdeniz.com. After vaccination, the vaccinated individual’s own cells produce the receptor binding site antigen of the spike protein of Sars Cov-2 virus. This antigen is not a virus, just a small part of the virus. Therefore, it does not cause a viral disease. However, since it is a foreign substance to the human body, both humoral immunity and cellular immunity are formed against this antigen. Since mRNA itself is also recognized as a pathogen by cells, it stimulates a strong immunity. It has been reported that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine prevents Covid-19 infection caused by the original Sars-Cov-2 virus (with no significant mutations)  by 95% in individuals aged 16 years and older who have not been infected with Sars-Cov-2 virus before.

Immunity against Sars-Cov-2 virus in those who have had Covid-19 disease or who have been vaccinated decreases over time. Antibody levels against Sars-Cov-2 virus decrease as the time passes after getting sick or getting vaccinated. Furthermore, the Sars-Cov-2 virus is a frequently mutating virus. In other words, there may be changes in the antigenic properties of the virus. This situation also reduces the protective effectiveness of antibodies caused by vaccine or disease. profdromerdeniz.com.

The answer to this question in the light of current scientific data is “YES, Covid-19 vaccine should be taken”.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by irreversible airway obstruction. COPD is caused by prolonged exposure to smoke, harmful dust or chemicals, mainly cigarette smoke. Exposure to biomass (wood, manure, etc.) smoke for a long time is also considered among the causes of COPD. profdromerdeniz.com

Not everyone who smokes will get COPD. The amount and duration of cigarette smoking are important. Smokers 20 pack years or more are at higher risk. The role of genetic factors in the emergence of COPD is very important. In addition, factors affecting lung development, such as low birth weight, are also thought to be associated with COPD. Less than half of long-term smokers develop COPD. profdromerdeniz.com

Definitive diagnosis is made with a pulmonary function test called spirometry. Patients who have a suitable clinical picture and whose airway obstruction finding does not improve in the spirometry test despite the administration of bronchodilator drugs can be considered as COPD. Most of the patients have a history of long-term exposure to tobacco (cigarette, etc.) smoke or biomass.

There is no cure for COPD that allows to become fully healthy, that is, to become completely normal. Because structural changes have occurred in the lungs of patients with COPD at varying degrees and differing for every single patient. Most of these changes are irreversible. profdromerdeniz.com. On the other hand, there are (treatment) methods applied to protect lung functions in COPD patients, to slow down the decrease in lung functions, to prevent exacerbations, to reduce symptoms, to increase quality of life and to increase exercise capacity. The most important of these is to quit smoking (Generally, to stay away from harmful smoke, dust or chemicals). Pulmonary rehabilitation, the most important components of which are exercise and patient education, is one of the treatment methods that has been shown to be beneficial for patients with COPD. Bronchodilator inhalers are drugs that have been shown to be of significant benefit in patients with COPD. Patients with COPD benefit from seasonal flu and pneumonia vaccines. Patients with COPD should have a balanced diet. Sleep patterns should be good. Patients with low oxygen levels should definitely use oxygen therapy. Because each patient’s condition differs in COPD, each patient should receive an INDIVIDUAL treatment appropriate for that patient. profdromerdeniz.com

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible obstruction of the airways. There is a variable airway obstruction in asthma. Asthma is characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness.profdromerdeniz.com.

Asthma has no known definitive treatment. In other words, asthma cannot be completely eliminated in a patient with drugs or other treatment methods. Asthma is a disease that can be controlled mainly with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators. profdromerdeniz.com. Asthmatic patients should avoid factors that initiate the symptoms of asthma. Asthma medications prevent symptoms from occurring and relieve symptoms if they occur. If asthma attacks occur, the attacks should be treated quickly. The conditions of patients whose diseases cannot be fully controlled despite medication and precautions should be evaluated in detail. In such patients, the diagnosis may be reviewed and additional treatment modalities may be required.profdromerdeniz.com.

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lung tissue caused by microorganisms. Mainly bacteria and viruses cause pneumonia, fungi can also cause pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.profdromerdeniz.com.

Depending on the clinical, radiological and other laboratory characteristics of the patients, it is decided whether they will be treated on an outpatient basis, in the hospital or in the intensive care unit. Pneumonia treatment is done empirically, since the causative microorganism(s) cannot be detected in approximately 50% of the cases, even with advanced examinations including bronchoscopic methods, the isolation of the agent takes time, and the possible microorganisms are predicted according to the location and conditions of the pneumonia. In other words, at the beginning of the treatment in outpatients, no examination is made for the causative agent, and antibiotic treatment is given for possible microorganisms. Pneumonia treatment is not only antibiotic therapy, but supportive treatment including proper hydration and rest is also necessary. profdromerdeniz.com. Advanced tests and oxygen therapy may be required in hospitalized patients. Severe respiratory failure may develop in some patients with pneumonia, so these patients are treated in the intensive care unit with ventilator support. Pneumonia is a disease with high mortality in the elderly (and those with concomitant chronic diseases). profdromerdeniz.com.

The disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is called tuberculosis disease or simply tuberculosis. profdromerdeniz.com

The main mode of transmission of tuberculosis is airborne transmission. The entrance gate for the tuberculosis bacillus to the body is the lungs. profdromerdeniz.com. After the tuberculosis bacillus enters the lungs and reaches the alveoli through the respiratory tract, a process begins that may result in the development of tuberculosis disease. Tuberculosis is rarely observed in the upper respiratory tract. Apart from the respiratory tract, tuberculosis can also be transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract. Tuberculosis bacillus can be transmitted to humans from the gastrointestinal tract by eating the meat of animals infected with M. bovis. profdromerdeniz.com.

In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, respiratory system symptoms such as cough, sputum, bloody sputum, shortness of breath, chest pain, and systemic symptoms such as fatigue, fatigue, night sweats and weight loss may be observed. profdromerdeniz.com. Not all symptoms are expected to be present in all patients. Mainly, patients with extensive pulmonary tuberculosis may have all the symptoms. profdromerdeniz.com.

Tuberculosis can be diagnosed if there is a positive sputum, gastric lavage (gastric juice) or bronchial lavage smear in patients with an appearance compatible with pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray (or computed tomography of the thorax).

The definitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is made by the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum, gastric lavage or bronchial lavage culture. profdromerdeniz.com.

Tuberculin skin test has almost no place in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults. profdromerdeniz.com.

Tuberculosis is treated with medication. The duration of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment is at least 6 months. In the treatment, 4 types of drugs are used in the first 2 months. The next 4 months are continued with 2 types of drugs. Tuberculosis disease in adults is not treated with fewer drugs. profdromerdeniz.com. If pulmonary tuberculosis treatment is tried with 1-2 types of drugs, the disease cannot be cured and drug-resistant tuberculosis may develop. The treatment period of pulmonary tuberculosis cannot be shortened with existing drugs. With a shorter duration of treatment than it should be, the treatment may fail and the probability of recurrence of tuberculosis disease increases. profdromerdeniz.com.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is defined as a positive tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release test (Quantiferon, ELISPOT) without any form of tuberculosis disease. Individuals with LTBI are considered healthy. profdromerdeniz.com

About 10% of individuals with LTBI may develop tuberculosis at some point in their lives. This rate is much higher in immunocompromised individuals.

Permanent enlargement of the bronchus is called bronchiectasis. In bronchiectasis, there is usually also destruction of the bronchial wall. There are types of bronchiectasis such as cylindrical, cystic and varicose. profdromerdeniz.com.

The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis are sputum and cough, sometimes bloody sputum (hemoptysis) may also occur. Patients with relatively extensive bronchiectasis may produce large amounts of sputum due to infections, especially in winter. The location and extent of bronchiectasis is very important. If localized bronchiectasis are below the carina, they may be frequently infected due to secretions. Bronchiectasis in the upper lobes can be evaluated as sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis. They are not usually infected. Bronchiectasis can also be observed in anomalies called pulmonary sequestration. These patients may have massive hemoptysis and this may sometimes result in death. If there is widespread bronchiectasis, diseases such as cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, diffuse panbronchiolitis should be investigated.  profdromerdeniz.com

 There is no treatment that corrects bronchiectasis that is restoring to a normal bronchus. Patients with bronchiectasis with symptoms such as cough, sputum, and shortness of breath are primarily treated with medication (such as antibiotics, mucolytics, expectorants, inhalers). Clinical improvement can be achieved with drug therapy, but bronchiectasis does not improve. After a while, bronchiectasis may become infected again and patients’ symptoms may reappear. Such patients may benefit from flu and pneumonia vaccines. If the bronchiectasis is unilateral and there is recurrent hemoptysis or bronchiectasis areas are frequently infected despite appropriate medical treatment, the option of surgery is considered. profdromerdeniz.com. That is, the lung area with bronchiectasis can be resected (removed by surgery). Besides operation, bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis and rational use of antibiotics for infection can be considered as other options. profdromerdeniz.com. There is almost no operation option in bilateral bronchiectasis. If an underlying disease is detected as the cause of bronchiectasis in a patient with bronchiectasis, precautions are taken regarding that disease. For example, if immune globulin deficiency is detected, immune globulin replacement is performed, antibiotics and other accompanying conditions are treated when necessary. profdromerdeniz.com.