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Objective: After three years since the first cases of COVID-19, many people suffer from post-COVID symptoms, reducing their quality of life. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the symptoms and prevalence of long COVID and its effect on the quality of life and also the effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on the quality of life. Materials and Methods: Patients with COVID-19 between April 01, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were evaluated with a survey at least three and at most 12 months (mean 7.43±3.3 months) after diagnosis. Patients answered the questions face-to-face or via telephone interview. The survey included questionnaires on demographic features, current complaints, and complaints that persisted or developed after recovery, Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version (EQ-5D-3L) Scale. Results: The study was conducted with 521 participants, 81% complaining of post-COVID symptoms. The most common symptoms were fatigue and shortness of breath. Long COVID was found to significantly reduce the quality of life in both sub-dimensions of the scale. Compared to SF-36 Turkish population norms, all participants showed a significant decrease in quality of life subscales. Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was found to improve quality of life and reduce long-term COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: COVID-19 has significantly affected quality of life. Post-illness follow-up of people with COVID-19 is important to provide patients with medical, physical, and psychosocial rehabilitation support. SARS-COV-2 vaccine reduces the negative effects of COVID-19 on quality of life. For this reason, the community should be made aware of vaccination, and COVID-19 vaccination rates should be increased in the community.
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INTRODUCTION: Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. The oculoglandular form is one of the rarest forms. In this study, evaluated tularemia patients, focusing on the ocular form and the efficacy of early antibiotic therapy. METHODOLOGY: During a tularemia outbreak, the epidemiological and clinical findings, laboratory assays, and drugs used for the treatment of 48 patients were recorded prospectively. The diagnosis of tularemia was confirmed with microagglutination test (MAT) as well as clinical findings. RESULTS: The mean age of the subject was 48.6 years; 23 (47.9%) of them were female. Thirty-six (81.25%) patients had clinical presentation compatible with oropharyngeal tularemia, seven (14.58%) with oculoglandular tularemia, and two (4.1%) with ulceroglandular tularemia. The most common symptoms were fever (91.6%) and sore throat (81.2%), and the most common findings were lymphadenopathy (91.6%) and tonsillopharyngitis (81.2%). In the oculoglandular form, fever, lymphadenopathy, periorbital edema, conjunctival injection, and chemosis were found. The most distinctive ophthalmic feature was follicular conjunctivitis and conjunctival epithelial defects. Forty-five cases had positive serological results with MAT. All the patients were treated with antibiotics considered effective against F. tularensis, and topical antimicrobial treatment was given to the patients with oculoglandular tularemia. Twenty-six (54.16%) patients, who were admitted within three weeks of the onset of symptoms, recovered without sequel. CONCLUSIONS: During tularemia outbreaks, ocular involvement should be considered carefully. The early administration of appropriate treatment will be more effective in resolving the infection and preventing complications. Along with systemic antibiotic therapy, topical treatment will help recovery.