Otorhinolaryngology practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 epidemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, broke out in December 2019 in the province of Wuhan, China. On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Although typical symptoms of the disease include fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath, complaints such as anosmia and dysgeusia also occur. The swab polymerase chain reaction tests, which were taken from the nasopharynx, became negative among asymptomatic individuals from the third day onward, whereas virus positivity was still detected among symptomatic individuals from the 12th to 20th days. Risk factors such as chronic diseases increase the rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome during COVID-19. It has been reported that the virus is transmitted more commonly through the contact of respiratory secretions. Thus, it has been reported that there is an increased risk of virus transmission particularly to physicians who are frequently exposed to aerodigestive secretions, such as otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, pneumologists, dentists, speech therapists, ophthalmologists, and infectious diseases physicians. Promising results have been reported from vaccine development studies currently in process. Although in some countries, vaccinations have been almost completed, there are a few countries where it has not started yet. Therefore, it is believed that it will take months or years for vaccines to be produced, distributed, and reach all people worldwide. During this period, it is our aim to protect our patients, hospital teams, and ourselves by examining and assessing the experiences of our international colleagues.