The masks we stuffed into our bags and coat pockets, the hand sanitizers we sprayed in every corner, and the routines of the coronavirus years where we kept our thermometers in hand, seemed to have become a thing of the past for all of us. However, in recent weeks, an unpleasant phrase has started to creep into conversations in offices, schools and WhatsApp groups again: “I think I have Covid.”
The coronavirus, which once brought life to a halt all over the world, including Türkiye, has been largely erased from our daily consciousness over the last few years; but it looks like he's on the offensive again.
The latest data from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) shows that Covid-related hospitalizations have increased by nearly 50 percent in a week. The positive rate of Covid tests performed in hospitals increased from 5.9 percent to 7 percent.
In London, this increase is even more pronounced: Hospitalizations increased by nearly 80 percent in seven days. For those over the age of 85, the most vulnerable age group, the hospitalization rate increased from 7.08 per 100 thousand people to 12.43. On the other hand, far fewer people are getting tested these days, so the true extent of the infection remains unclear.
This picture is enough to bring to mind an uncomfortable question that most of us hope we will never have to ask again: How worried should we be?
'AMERICAN COVID' AND CHANGING SYMPTOMS
The variant that currently dominates infections is the XFG variant, commonly known as 'Stratus' and referred to as 'American COVID'.
This variant, first detected in January 2025, spread in both the UK and the USA, causing known Covid symptoms. However, in addition to cough and fever, some doctors report that they also observe stomach and intestinal problems in Stratus patients.
"I WAS TIED TO THE BED FOR 5 DAYS"
A woman in her 50s, a mother of two children living in London, told the Daily Mail that she was bedridden for 5 days after falling ill. The woman who did not take a Covid test summarized her experiences as follows:
"I never get sick; I don't even remember the last time I took sick leave. But I felt completely exhausted, with a fever, a cough, and severe pain in my legs and joints. There were moments in the morning when I said 'I'm fine', but towards noon I had to go back to bed. I spent most of the day sleeping."
Her young daughter, who got sick a few days ago, has not recovered even though 10 days have passed:
"He had a very severe headache, sore throat, cough and high fever; he was completely exhausted. Then an eye and lung infection developed. Finally, we took him to the doctor, saying 'This is not normal.' The doctor said that he was the third patient with similar complaints that day.
WHAT IS THE TABLE IN Türkiye?
This mobility in the world and the escalating cases in the West bring to mind the situation of emergency services in Turkey. While activity is observed in polyclinics and emergency services in Turkey with the autumn season, Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Lecturer We talked with member Gültekin Akyol.
"CASES CLINICALLY SUGGESTING COVID HAVE INCREASED"
Stating that they are currently observing an increase in Covid cases in emergency departments, Dr. Lecturer Member Gültekin Akyol explained the situation as follows:
"We can say that we have started to see clinical pictures suggestive of Covid more frequently among our patients who have applied recently. We have patients presenting with fever, sore throat, cough, significant weakness and muscle-joint pain. However, compared to the pandemic period, our rate of Covid testing has decreased significantly. For this reason, it is not possible to give a clear rate such as 'this many out of every 10 patients have Covid'. "There are patients who we think have Covid clinically, but we do not confirm them by testing all of them."
FLU OR COVID?
Emphasizing that the symptoms are very similar to each other, Dr. Akyol drew attention to the differences between the two infections and the testing processes:
"A significant portion of the cases we currently see are in the form of upper respiratory tract infection. In Covid, sore throat, cough, runny nose or congestion, weakness, headache, muscle-joint pain and fever can be observed. In flu, the sudden onset of high fever, pronounced muscle-joint pain, headache and severe weakness are a little more prominent. Although loss of taste and smell is a more striking finding in terms of Covid, we do not see it as frequently as in the old variants. It is possible to distinguish between Covid and flu by just looking at the symptoms." "It is not possible. When a definitive distinction is required, testing must be done."
ARE CHILDREN OR ADULTS AT RISK?
Stating that viral infections are expected to spread with the opening of schools, Dr. Akyol said, "There may be an increase in respiratory tract infection applications in both children and adults. With the opening of schools, we expect the spread of viral infections, especially among children, and subsequently the increase in family transmission. However, when we look at severe disease, adults who are older, immunocompromised or have serious chronic diseases constitute a more important risk group for us."
ARE TESTS DONE AT HOME SAFE?
Evaluating the rapid tests that citizens apply at home, Akyol stated that negative results of rapid antigen tests do not definitively rule out Covid. Akyol said, "The test may be negative, especially in the first days of the disease. If symptoms persist and the suspicion of Covid is high, repeating the test after 48 hours may be considered. We may prefer more sensitive tests such as PCR in patients in the risk group or in cases where the diagnosis will change the treatment."
IS COVID CURRENTLY TREATED LIKE THE FLU?
Referring to the treatment protocols, Dr. Akyol warned against unconscious use of antibiotics.
"In patients with a mild course and who are not in the risk group, the treatment is largely similar to other viral respiratory infections. Supportive treatments such as rest, adequate fluid intake, fever and pain control are sufficient for most patients," said Gültekin Akyol and added:
"However, Covid-specific antiviral treatments may be considered for patients in the risk group. Therefore, the diagnosis of Covid is still important in people who are older, immunocompromised, or have significant comorbidities. Moreover, since Covid is a viral infection, antibiotics do not need to be used unless bacterial infection is considered."
WHAT TO DO TO PROTECT?
Expert Dr. Gültekin Akyol summarized the precautions we need to take and when to apply to the hospital with the following words:
"The most important thing is that the sick person should be careful not to transmit the infection to others. We recommend that people with fever, cough and significant respiratory complaints avoid close contact, especially with the elderly, people with chronic diseases and immunocompromised people. Good ventilation of crowded and closed areas, using masks when necessary for people with symptoms and paying attention to hand hygiene are still effective measures."
