Dr. Tanju Yılmazer, Medical Director of the Home Health Unit at Private Izmir Gazi Hospital and Family Medicine Specialist, provided information on these subjects by emphasizing some questions:
- Have you seen news in the press and on social media about the emergence and rapid spread of a new COVID-19 variant?
- Have you noticed an increase in the number of people around you with severe flu-like complaints in recent days?
Have Flu Disease and COVID Infections Increased?
We wanted to provide a briefing because flu is common in the autumn and winter months and has the potential to become a public health problem.
Are New Variants on the Agenda?
An increase in COVID-19 infections has been observed in our country since mid-August 2025. The XFG variant, which has been determined to spread faster than other variants, is seen more frequently. This variant is given names like "Stratus" or "Frankenstein." The reason for the name Frankenstein is that it is a hybrid variant resulting from the merging of different sub-types.
What are the Symptoms of the Disease?
Symptoms in this variant infection are similar to general COVID-19. For example, classic symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, head and muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, and loss of taste/smell. It causes more symptoms in the upper respiratory tract and throat compared to previous variants.. Hoarseness, deepening of the voice, and a tickle in the throat are among the findings observed. Very sharp sore throat can also be seen.
Who Should Have a COVID-19 Test?
It would be appropriate for groups with risk of severe COVID-19 infection, such as advanced age and chronic diseases, for a definitive diagnosis and being evaluated for the use of antiviral medication.
What is the Status of COVID Vaccines?
None of the vaccines with updated content that should be administered are accessible in our country. This situation creates difficulties in protecting groups at risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, especially those over 75, immune-compromised, and with more than one additional disease. Existing COVID-19 vaccines may still be protective against these new variants, especially effective against severe disease.
In Conclusion;
This variant spreads fast compared to other variants in circulation, but there is no evidence that the disease it causes is more serious or poses an additional public health risk.
These days, when viral respiratory tract infection is considered, COVID-19 infection and new variants should come to mind.
In terms of personal protection from COVID-19 or other flu infections, first of all, during periods of increased viral activity, masks should be used in closed/crowded environments, adequate ventilation should be provided in such environments, and attention should be paid to hand hygiene. For sick people to stay at home until the fever drops and symptoms regress is important in terms of preventing the spread of infection.