Migrant Health Centers (GSM) are established under community health centers at locations with higher migrant populations to offer preventive healthcare services to forced migrants in a more effective and efficient way, to overcome the problems arising from language barrier and to improve access to healthcare services.Enhanced GSMs are established in temporary accommodation centers that are away from a fully-equipped public hospital or in residential areas with a migrant population over 20,000 people. In addition to primary healthcare services, enhanced GSMs offer services in internal medicine, pediatric care, obstetrics-gynecology, oral and dental health, and psychosocial support services, which are also supported by imaging units and basic service laboratories. The aim is to improve access to services and reduce the workload of hospitals.

Individuals who will be away from their permanent residence address or who will temporarily live in Turkey can access healthcare services from the nearest family physician under the guest patient system. When a person needs to access healthcare services at a different location than their permanent address during summer holidays, travels or for any other reason, these services can be offered by a family physician in that city as a “guest patient”. The districts governed by the Law on Metropolitan Municipalities are considered as a single region in the implementation of the guest patient system. In this region, healthcare services cannot be offered under the guest patient system. Individuals in this region are asked to first consult their own family physician except for emergency situations.

Family Health Centers offer basic primary healthcare services, including preventive healthcare, diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation services, to individuals. These services are very common and easily accessible by individuals. Primary healthcare services are the go-to services when we need to consult a professional about anything related to our health, except for emergencies. If necessary, family physicians may refer you to another professional or hospital.

In Turkey, primary healthcare services are mainly offered by Family Health Centers.Family healthcare services cover all preventive healthcare services and primary healthcare services offered to registered individuals without any discrimination of age, gender or health condition. Community health centers also offer primary healthcare services. Unlike family health centers which offer services to individuals, community health centers offer services to the whole community. The objective is to improve and protect the health of the local community. With the revision of the organization of the Ministry of Health in 2017, the duties of Community Health Centers were transferred to District Directorates of Health. However, Community Health Centers continue their operations at several locations.

According to the Law on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance, additional fees are charged by foundation hospitals that have contracts with the Social Security Institution and private healthcare service providers. When persons who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) are admitted to these hospitals, they may be charged up to twice the amount of normal service fees listed in Health Application Communique (SUT) and its attachments. Private healthcare service providers are obliged to put up signs explaining the additional fee percentages in a visible location and inform citizens about additional fees. They also have to get written consent from patients and their relatives for additional fees before actually offering healthcare services. Without such consent, the service provider cannot claim additional fees for any reason after the services are actually offered.

Social Security Institution (SGK) executes contracts/protocols with healthcare service providers. Thus, the healthcare services offered by providers are renumerated by SGK. Individuals who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) must be admitted to healthcare service providers who have executed contracts/protocols with SSI. They can be admitted to healthcare service providers that do not have contracts with SSI only in emergency situations which are described in legislation. It must be confirmed by audit teams that the patient has really been admitted for an emergency.

According to the Law on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance, additional fees are charged by foundation hospitals that have contracts with the Social Security Institution and private healthcare service providers. When persons who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) are admitted to these hospitals, they may be charged up to twice the amount of normal service fees listed in Health Application Communique (SUT) and its attachments. Private healthcare service providers are obliged to put up signs explaining the additional fee percentages in a visible location and inform citizens about additional fees. They also have to get written consent from patients and their relatives for additional fees before actually offering healthcare services. Without such consent, the service provider cannot claim additional fees for any reason after the services are actually offered.

Social Security Institution (SGK) executes contracts/protocols with healthcare service providers. Thus, the healthcare services offered by providers are renumerated by SGK. Individuals who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) must be admitted to healthcare service providers who have executed contracts/protocols with SSI. They can be admitted to healthcare service providers that do not have contracts with SSI only in emergency situations which are described in legislation. It must be confirmed by audit teams that the patient has really been admitted for an emergency.

“Right to health means all individuals can ask the society and the state to protect their health, to offer treatment and to heal their conditions when necessary and can access all means offered by the society to continuously improve individuals’ health.” Right to health and right of a healthy life, which are important components of “right to life”, are among the positive status rights.Right to be healthy, maintain well-being and to improve well-being are rights which depend on the presence of certain conditions and circumstances including:- Accessing protective healthcare services- A healthy environment, surrounding and accommodation- Sufficient and balanced nutrition- Being able to improve one’s well-being- Freedom to work and choose a job, right to produce- A democratic society and equality in human relations- Right of opinion, faith and right to express the same.- http://www.saglikhakki.org/

Patients’ rights were first established in the Lisbon Declaration, which broadly describes doctor-patient relationship. The fundamental rights listed in the declaration are as follows:- Patients can freely choose their doctors.- Patients have the right to be served by doctors who can make clinical and ethical decisions freely without any external influence.- Patients have the right to accept or reject recommended treatment after being sufficiently informed.- Patients have the right to expect the doctors to respect confidentiality of private information on their medical history and private life.- Patients have the right to die with honor.- Patients have the right to accept or reject spiritual consolation that involves assistance from a person of clergy as appropriate.- http://www.saglikhakki.org/

According to the Law on Social Insurance and General Health Insurance, additional fees are charged by foundation hospitals that have contracts with the Social Security Institution and private healthcare service providers. When persons who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) are admitted to these hospitals, they may be charged up to twice the amount of normal service fees listed in Health Application Communique (SUT) and its attachments. Private healthcare service providers are obliged to put up signs explaining the additional fee percentages in a visible location and inform citizens about additional fees. They also have to get written consent from patients and their relatives for additional fees before actually offering healthcare services. Without such consent, the service provider cannot claim additional fees for any reason after the services are actually offered.

Social Security Institution (SGK) executes contracts/protocols with healthcare service providers. Thus, the healthcare services offered by providers are renumerated by SGK. Individuals who have coverage from general health insurance (GSS) must be admitted to healthcare service providers who have executed contracts/protocols with SSI. They can be admitted to healthcare service providers that do not have contracts with SSI only in emergency situations which are described in legislation. It must be confirmed by audit teams that the patient has really been admitted for an emergency.

A healthy lifestyle is one in which the person is able to live a normal life by adopting habits and daily life activities that contribute to his/her health. In daily life, people face different challenges and stress at the workplace and personal life. A healthy lifestyle is a lifestyle that strikes a balance between professional and personal lives of an individual and helps him/her put up with the stress. A person with a healthy lifestyle has a positive mindset and a readiness to take up any new challenges. Generally it is observed that active and disciplined individuals usually tend to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to global health and safety. The Organization connects nations, partners and communities to promote health and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with its Member States to achieve the highest level of health for all people by pursuing universal health coverage.

WHO works globally to promote health, expand universal health coverage and respond to emergencies. The Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019–2023 aims to achieve the Triple Billion targets:One billion more people are benefiting from universal health coverage.One billion more people are better protected from health emergencies.One billion more people are enjoying better health and well-being.To achieve these targets, WHO focuses on primary health care in every country to improve access to quality essential services. This includes training the health workforce, supporting policy development and working towards sustainable financing for health systems.WHO also responds to emergencies including natural disasters, conflicts and displaced populations. Acting in a coordinating leadership role, WHO provides medical supplies and equipment, doctors and other medical professionals, and support for local governments.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network and is guided by seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, universality and unity.

Health literacy is important because the more you can understand about your health and health care, the healthier you can be. Improving your health literacy is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective ways of improving your health. In fact, health literacy is more likely to predict a person’s health correctly than age, income, employment, education level, and race (Journal of the American Medical Association). Many studies have shown that those with low health literacy are less likely to use screening and prevention services, take medications as directed, and find their way through the health care system.

Good health literacy helps in almost every health care situation, from choosing a cold medicine at the pharmacy to being able to read at-home post-surgery instructions to discussing your symptoms with your doctor or care provider.

As a patient, it is important to take an active role in your health care because you are your own best advocate. You should never feel bad to speak up, ask questions, and seek answers about your health or the health of a family member in your care.Your health care is a team effort, of which you are an important part.

Food addiction is a disease that causes someone to lose control of being able to stop eating certain kinds of food. With food addiction, the body develops chemical dependencies on certain foods, which causes them to overeat these foods, even if they logically know it will have negative consequences

As people age, their hormones change, which causes their metabolic rate to change.As men lose testosterone and women lose estrogen, their metabolism slows, making the weight easier to put on and harder to take off.

In any given class, the subject may be "keto" or "the Mediterranean diet" or "vegetarian," and the answer is always the same: There's not one best way to eat. We are all different, and it would be impossible to choose one plan that would be right for everyone. The best plan for you is the one that meets your medical and nutritional needs while also being affordable, accessible, enjoyable and something you can stick with for the long term. Sometimes that may not be clear, but seeing a dietitian can help you figure it out.

The answer varies considerably across age groups—and from person to person. For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep. However, infants generally require about 16 hours of sleep per day, while teenagers need about 9.

The cumulative effects of sleep deprivation are broad yet potentially serious. Experts believe that sleep is necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate. The consequences can range from diminished job performance to driver fatigue, which accounts for an estimated 100,000 motor vehicle accidents annually.In addition, certain sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, have been linked to a number of medical conditions, including depression, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Good hygiene is vital because it helps prevent you and your children from getting or spreading germs and infectious diseases. The germs that cause many diseases can be passed on through touching other people, getting feces (poo) on your hands, handling contaminated food, or coming into contact with dirty surfaces or objects. Conditions that you can develop if you have poor personal hygiene include:- COVID-19 and other infectious diseases- diarrhea- respiratory infections, including colds and flu- staph infections- worm-related conditions, such as threadworms- trachoma, an eye infection which can lead to blindness- tinea or athlete’s foot- tooth decay

To avoid getting sick, wash your hands properly for at least 20 seconds.Wet your hands with water.Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands.Rub your palms together.Clean between the fingers and the back of your hands.Clean dirty nails with a scrubbing brush, if one is available.Rinse both sides of your hands, preferably under clean running water.Dry off your hands with a clean towel.Use the towel to turn off the tap.You can also use hand sanitiser if water and soap are not available. Make sure you rub the palms, backs of the hands and in between your fingers.

Vaccines can prevent infectious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. Without vaccines, your child is at risk for getting seriously ill and suffering pain, disability, and even death from diseases like measles and whooping cough. The main risks associated with getting vaccines are side effects, which are almost always mild (redness and swelling at the injection site) and go away within a few days. Serious side effects after vaccination, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare and doctors and clinic staff are trained to deal with them. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children. The only exceptions to this are cases in which a child has a serious chronic medical condition like cancer or a disease that weakens the immune system, or has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine dose.

The recommended schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they come into contact with life-threatening diseases. Children receive immunization early because they are susceptible to diseases at a young age. The consequences of these diseases can be very serious, even life-threatening, for infants and young children.

Smoking is an addiction. Tobacco products contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical found naturally in tobacco plants.Nicotine addiction has two components: physical and psychological. Research suggests that children and teens may be especially sensitive to nicotine, making it easier for them to become addicted. The younger the smoker, the more likely he or she is to become addicted.

Family history of addiction.Mental health disorder.Peer pressure.Lack of family involvement.Early useTaking a highly addictive drug.

Different drugs cause different health problems. Drug use can lead to dependence and addiction, injury and accidents, health problems, sleep issues, and more.

After repeated drug use, the brain starts to adjust to the surges of dopamine. Neurons may begin to reduce the number of dopamine receptors or simply make less dopamine. The result is less dopamine signaling in the brain—like turning down the volume on the dopamine signal.

Some of the most common STIs include chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, HPV, pubic lice, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

Signs and symptoms that might indicate an STI include:Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.Painful or burning urination.Discharge from the penis.Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge.Unusual vaginal bleeding.Pain during sex.

Main cause of accidents and crashes are due to human errors.

Sprains, strains, bruising, and other damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments (soft tissue injuries) are very common in accidents. This type of injury can be painful and long-lasting.

Car accident injuries usually manifest themselves immediately, but some may take days or even weeks to appear.

If the other driver has stopped make sure you get their name, address and most importantly their insurance details. Also take note of their vehicle registration number. Finally speak to any witnesses who are at the scene. Take statements from anyone who saw the accident.

Tell someone. If you are the victim or witness to violence, tell someone.Take all violence and abuse seriously.Take a stand. Be an individual.Take back the power, but remember, putting others down doesn't raise you up.

Violence or abuse in any form has serious health consequences for the victim. It can lead to negative health outcomes such as chronic pain, increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, or gynecological problems.

Violence can have serious and lasting effects on young people's physical, mental, and social health. It can harm development and contribute to impaired decision-making, learning challenges, decreased connections to peers and adults, and trouble coping with stress

It affects the life of people and changes the way of their learning, thinking, and communication.

Depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

We can talk about many symptoms such as spending hours at the screen, lying to those around you to spend more time before the screen, having physical problems due to prolonged computer use (low back pain, shoulder pain), giving up or significantly reducing eating or self-care to use the internet, being nervous when you are away from the computer and feeling empty. For more information, see Useful Links.

Restricting time with the computer may not be a permanent solution. Supporting that person to create environments for socializing, encouraging him to take up appropriate sports, to make friends, and enabling them to use secure internet applications can offer a more constructive solution. Tasks can be assigned to him so that he can make efficient use of the time spent on the computer.

The Green Crescent provides free support to fight this addiction. You can get free support by calling '115'.

Changing daily internet usage hours, using weekly internet usage schedules and giving rewards if schedules are observed, receiving psychological support, and encouraging affected individual to take up different activities (such as sports-social activities) can be meaningful measures.

Determine what's most important in your life.Keep a file of your motivating factors from above.Schedule your day and routine.Have a strategy meeting with yourself each week.

Start your tasks early.Set limits for what you'll say yes to.Give yourself breaks.Prioritize your tasks.Schedule your tasks and deadlines.Organize your school or workplace.Learn your patterns of productivity.Use technology to help keep you accountable.

Some ways of dealing with stress to consider are mindfulness or meditation, getting rid of interruptions or distractions, prioritizing and balancing your work, and using stress as a motivator, among others.

Aches and pains.Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing.Exhaustion or trouble sleeping.Headaches or dizziness.High blood pressure.Muscle tension or jaw clenching.Stomach or digestive problems.

Eat a well-balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise on a regular basis. Engage in self-relaxation. Try muscle relaxation, breathing or meditation exercises, prayer, yoga, or swimming to reduce stress. Spend time with nature or listen to quiet music.

There are two different types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens use up to a dozen ingredients that, when applied, are absorbed in the top layer of skin. They react with the skin to absorb UV rays and convert them into energy before they can harm the skin.

Too much ultraviolet radiation (UV) from sunlight is dangerous. Nearly half of UV radiation is received between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest. Even on a cloudy day, you can be affected by UV radiation.

Most skin cancers are a result of excessive exposure to the UV rays in sunlight. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers (the most common types of skin cancer) tend to be found on sun-exposed parts of the body, and their occurrence is typically related to lifetime sun exposure in high amounts.

It can be defined as being attached to a certain action, a certain object or person and thinking that one cannot do without it. Addiction can manifest itself as a constant desire to do that action, not being able to stop unless you can do it, and even a constant (increasingly) desire to do more. For example, a person who smokes 5 cigarettes a day starts to smoke more and more.

If your friend is constantly smoking, you may be worried and especially if he smokes around you, it may cause you to be affected by smoke and smell. In such a situation, expressing your discomfort and staying away from the smoking environment, if possible, can be considered as a good choice for your health. If your friend wants to quit smoking, you can direct and support your friend to the resources and hotlines in the useful links section.

Hookah is a tobacco product that is at least as harmful as cigarettes. You can also get support from institutions working with addiction, such as the Ministry of Health and the Green Crescent, in quitting the hookah habit.

You realize that smoking harms you. In this case, you don't have to do anything that harms you. It's a natural reaction to say no to your friends about it, that you don't want to use it, and it's your right to say it. This topic reminds us of the subject of boundaries that we talked about in other section. You can get more information by reading the boundaries section.

Changing daily internet usage hours, using weekly internet usage schedules and awarding rewards if this is observed, receiving psychological support, directing them to different activities (such as sports-social activities) can be meaningful measures.

Violence is an experience that can be confusing and difficult for most people, young or old, to deal with. People who are exposed to violence may show different reactions. Violence harms the person physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Emotional fear, guilt, shame, weakness, loneliness, helplessness may be felt, difficulty in trusting others, loss of self-esteem, self-esteem, constant vigilance, feeling unimportant, completely different from others or lost, self-harming behaviors, suicidal thoughts, anger, outbursts, and withdrawal from social relationships can be observed. Violence can have different effects in the short and long term. For more information, visit https://morcati.org.tr/erkeklerin-siddeti-kadinlari-nasil-etkiler/ https://morcati.org.tr/sykenin-cocuklar-ve-ergenler-uzerinden-etkileri/.Remember that if you are experiencing violence, there are organizations and services that you can get help from. You can say stop to violence and improve the negative effects of violence by getting support.

Depending on what support you need and what you want to do, the priority places to apply and the steps you need to take may vary. For more information:https://morcati.org.tr/siddete-ugradiginizda-neler-yapabilirsiniz/https://csdestek.org/destek-sistemi-nedirIf you can't leave the house or have an emergency, you can call the Alo 183 Social Support Line and 155 Police Help at any time of the day.

Dating violence is when a lover engages in physical, sexual, psychological, social and digital violent behavior. Your lover aims to dominate, control and exert power by violence. Dating violence can be seen in romantic relationships where dating has just begun in youth. During this period, the young person who encounters violence may not be able to talk to anyone and feel alone, as flirting is seen as a 'secret', 'shameful', 'must hide' topic.Violence is an experience that can be confusing and difficult for most people, young or old, to deal with. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the warning signals of violence and to catch clues of violence. By recognizing these signals, you can protect yourself from violenceIf you want to know 'if your relationship is safe', you can answer the questions in the link below on your own.https://morcati.org.tr/flort-siddeti/

Stalking is being constantly watched and followed by a person you broke up with, or a person you don’t want to be with, or a person you are currently with. Stalking aims to arouse fear in a person, intimidate them and make them feel insecure. Examples of stalking include an ex coming your home or school without informing you or without being invited, appearing in front of you in places you go to, constantly sending gifts or flowers to you, communicating with your circle of friends and trying to get information about you, and damaging your belongings.If you think you are a victim of dating violence, you don't have to put up with it. Please visit the resources section of the application.

You may have witnessed or observed that a friend of yours has faced dating violence in her relationship with her boyfriend. You may be thinking 'this is none of my business', 'a problem between themselves', 'if I get involved, our relationship may be negatively affected', or you may be confused or scared. The recommendations listed here can help you: https://morcati.org.tr/flort-siddeti/#bago

We can talk about many symptoms such as spending hours at the screen, lying to those around you to spend more time before the screen, having physical problems due to prolonged computer use (low back pain, shoulder pain), giving up or significantly reducing eating or self-care to use the internet, being nervous when you are away from the computer and feeling empty. For more information, see Useful Links.

Restricting time with the computer may not be a permanent solution. Supporting that person to create environments for socializing, encouraging him to take up appropriate sports, to make friends, and enabling them to use secure internet applications can offer a more constructive solution. Tasks can be assigned to him so that he can make efficient use of the time spent on the computer.

The Green Crescent provides free support to fight this addiction. You can get free support by calling '115'.

Depending on what kind of support you need and what you want to do, the priority places to apply and the steps you need to take may vary. For more information:https://morcati.org.tr/siddete-ugradiginizda-neler-yapabilirsiniz/https://csdestek.org/destek-sistemi-nedirIf you can't leave the house or have an emergency, you can call the Alo 183 Social Support Line and 155 Police Help at any time of the day.

Date violence is when a partner engages in behaviors that involve physical, sexual, psychological, social and online violence. Your partner aims to dominate, control and exert power over you through violence.Date violence can be seen in romantic relationships where dating has just begun in youth. During this period, the young person who encounters violence may not be able to talk to anyone and feel alone, as flirting is seen as a 'secret', 'shameful', 'hidden' topic.Violence is an experience that can be confusing and difficult for most people, young or old, to deal with. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the warning signals of violence and to catch clues of violence. By recognizing these signals, you can protect yourself from violence.If you want to know 'if your relationship is safe', you can answer the questions in the link below on your ownhttps://morcati.org.tr/flort-siddeti/

Each testicle hangs from a seminal duct in the scrotum. These ducts contain blood vessels that carry blood to the testicles. If the testicle rotates on the seminal duct, the blood cannot reach the testicle. This condition may occur without any reason or due to heavy physical activity.Symptoms- Sudden and often severe pain in one testicle,- A testicle that is positioned higher than normal in the scrotum,- Nausea and vomiting,- Light-headedness, - Swelling of the scrotum,- Fever, - Abrupt and severe pain in a testicle, particularly after sudden or heavy physical activity.

Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder. It is one of the most common diseases of the urinary tract and reproductive system. If not treated immediately, it may spread and affect the kidneys and lead to permanent damage in the bladder and kidneys.

- Kidneys need lots of fluids to function properly. Fluid intake must be increased in hot and dry weather. You should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.- You should not hold your bladder for a long time.- You should protect your kidneys and urinary tract against cold.- You should not take drugs without consulting a healthcare professional.- If you feel pain or ache when urinating, or observe blood or gleet in your urine, you should immediately go to a healthcare facility.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a method in which the patient, sitting in a sealed cabinet, breathes pure oxygen under pressure that is higher than the sea level. It is an evidence-based therapy with efficacy scientifically proven in multiple studies. The therapy is given in pressurized rooms that can host one or more people at the same time, using masks, hoods or endotracheal intubation (tubes inserted into the windpipe), depending on the clinical table and needs of the patient. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to treat a variety of diseases, including sudden hearing loss, sudden vision loss, bone infection, bone death, diabetic foot ulcers.

Decompression sickness, which is also known as the bends, is a disease among scuba-divers. Also, the Caisson Disease is also a type of decompression sickness that is common among workers exposed to compressed air tunnels.The disease occurs when nitrogen in the breathing air solution dissolves due to increasing pressure at depths of water, and quickly turns into bubbles in the arteries and tissues as the gas cannot be quickly discarded from the blood as the person rises back to the surface of the water. These bubbles may lead to various symptoms and findings depending on their location in the body.

The first thing you should be careful about is the quality of the stove and the fuel. Fuel for heating should be manufactured according to applicable standards, and it must be bought from duly authorized sellers. It is crucial to have proper chimney ventilation and the maintenance of the chimney must be done regularly. You should not light the stove before going to bed, and you should put out the fire in the stove before sleeping. The stove must stand 10 cm above the floor. Do not put too much fuel into the stove.

Mild injuries of the cartilage tissue may be self-healing. Modest and severe injuries are treated with therapies or surgical procedures by physicians.

In VO2 Max, “V” stands for “volume”, “O2” stands for “oxygen”, and “max” stands for “maximum”. Therefore, the term “VO2 Max” refers to the highest oxygen volume that can be used by the body during exercise. This is an important value because, in general, it shows the fitness level of an individual and helps plan workout programs for a healthier body.

What is the first aid procedure for thermal burns?If the person is still on fire, they must stop panicking and running.The patient/wounded must be covered with a blanket or a cover, and asked to roll on the ground.The person’s vital signs must be analyzed (ABC).The clothes must be removed without lifting the skin in the burnt area.The affected area must be kept under running water for at least 20 minutes (not recommended if the affected area is too big because it may cause heat loss)The person must take off accessories such as rings, bracelets, watches, etc. as edema may be formed.If the clothes get caught by anything, they must be cut.The person must be careful about hygiene and cleanliness.The person must avoid bursting the blisters.Drugs or ointments must not be administered on the affected area.The affected area must be covered with a clean piece of cloth.The patient/wounded must be covered with a blanket.Affected areas must not be bandaged together.If the affected area is too large and access to a health facility is not possible, and if the patient/wounded is conscious and not vomiting, the person may receive fluids (mixture of 1 liter of water - 1 teaspoon of carbonate - 1 teaspoon of salt) to avoid loss of fluids.Medical assistance must be sought (112).What is the first aid procedure for chemical burns?The contact between the skin and the chemical substance must be severed immediately.The affected area must be washed gently for 15-20 minutes under unpressurized water.The clothes must be taken off.The patient/wounded must be covered.Medical assistance must be sought (112).What is the first aid procedure for electrical burns?One must stay calm.Electrical current must be severed before touching the patient/wounded. If that’s not possible, then the electrical contact must be stopped using a wooden stick or rope.The vital signs of the patient/wounded must be analyzed (ABC).Water must not be used to respond to the patient/wounded.The patient/wounded must not be moved.The affected area must be covered with a clean piece of cloth.Medical assistance must be sought (112).

A child must be immediately taken to a health institute in case of fever, coughing/wheezing, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, constipation, allergy, weakness or shortness as compared to peers, headache, ear pain, difficulty in breathing, heart throb, fainting, poisoning, or accidents and injuries including burns.

The growth of babies should be monitored starting from birth, including height, weight, head circumference, etc. The frequency of these measurements should be as follows:During deliveryIn the first 48 hours post-deliveryOn day 15On day 41Once a month in month 2, 3 and 4Every three months in month 6, 9 and 12Every six months from 1 to 3 years oldOnce a year from 3 to 6 years old

Breast milk offers many advantages for both the mother and the baby.Breast milk is the ideal nutrient for the baby.It helps strengthen the baby’s immune system.It is easily accessible and affordable.Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between the mother and the baby.It helps the mother balance her body weight after delivery.It is the ideal food for the baby’s young digestive system.It protects the baby against potential allergies that may result from solid foods.

Babies should be only fed with breastmilk in the first 6 months of their lives. After 6 months, breast milk should be supported with solid foods. Mothers should continue breastfeeding in addition to giving solid food until the baby is 2 years old.

Mother’s health is the main factor that affects a child’s health. The mother’s age, health and diet prior to pregnancy, prenatal care, and the time between multiple births are main factors that affect a child’s health condition. Other important factors include the health condition of the other members of the family, the socio-economic condition of the family, living space, access to safe water and safe food, waste and other environmental factors, school health, and social support.A child’s health may also be affected by the lifestyle, culture, religious practices, traditions, habits and child care methods of the family.

Scoliosis is characterized by sideways curvature of the spine and it is a very common orthopedic problem. Affected individuals may have difficulties in their daily lives due to restriction of the ability to move and various symptoms of the disease. Treatment of the disease can be planned according to the severity and symptoms. It is very difficult to correct scoliosis without proper treatment, which includes physical therapy, scoliosis exercises and surgical procedures.

Knee and hip pain may emerge with or without trauma. The most common reason is arthrosis, or calcification of the hip and knee, which results from damage in the cartilage tissues. Firstly, the severity of the condition must be understood. Treatment methods may vary depending on the severity, including surgical and non-surgical methods.

Radiotherapy, or radiation therapy, is a type of treatment that uses beams of intense energy to treat cancer. Ionizing beams destroy the DNA of tumour that is formed by multiplying cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in the body. Chemotherapy is often used for cancer treatment, because cancer cells grow and multiply faster than most cells in the body. Chemotherapy drugs can be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers.

Cancer is the generic name for malign tumours which result from irregular growth of cells in an organ or tissue. In general sense, cancer refers to a group of more than 100 diseases which result from uncontrollable growth of cells in various parts of the body. There are many types of cancer; however, all types of cancer start with uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells.

Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia, is a neurological disease that leads to loss of cognitive functions.Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. It often starts when individuals reach their 60s, with symptoms emerging slowly. The disease may affect individuals to an extent that they cannot even perform daily tasks on their own.

Stroke is defined as the paralysis of the brain in which vital blood flow to the brain is abruptly interrupted or reduced. The brain cells in the affected area start to die and the functions controlled by the regions of the brain that are affected by the stroke can be temporarily or permanently lost.

The most important factor in treatment of headache is the main cause of the headache. If the headache is caused by factors such as migraine, or if the headache is the result of another health condition, the physician will use tailored treatment methods. In other cases, the following methods can be used to relieve tension-type headache, which is very common:Resting in a quiet and dim-lit roomEating frequently and in small portionsUsing an ice pack on the headHaving a warm shoverDrinking lots of fluidTaking a break from stressMassaging the head

a) The insured individual can get a daily benefit for temporary incapacity for the whole period during which the individual is temporarily incapacitatedb) The individual can get permanent benefit for incapacityc) The heirs of the insured individual who has passed away due to an occupational disease can get a benefit.d) Daughters of the individual who receive benefits can get financial assistance for marriagee) A death benefit can be paid for the funeral costs of the insured individual who has passed away due to an occupational disease.

Occupational disease refers to various health conditions that emerge as a result of factors associated with the workplace environment. According to article 14 of the Law no. 5510, an occupational disease is a temporary or permanent disease or physical or mental disability caused by a repeated factor in the insured person’s work or the conditions under which the work is done.

Using tobaccoHigh blood pressureDiabetesSedentary lifestyleHigh blood cholesterolOveruse of alcoholSubstance abuseObesity (overweighing)Unbalanced dietDepression and other mental disorders are among the risk factors.

Ischemic heart diseasesAtherosclerosisHypertension (elevated blood pressure)Heart valve diseasesAortic stenosis and failureMyocardial infarction (heart attack)Pulmonary failure and stenosisHeart failuresCardiac infectionsCardiac tumoursCardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)

Hormonal MethodsBirth control pillsBirth control pills regulate the hormone balance to stop the ovulation process. It is one of the most popular contraceptive methods.Intrauterine devicesAn intrauterine device (IUD), or spiral, is a T-shaped plastic apparatus that is inserted in the uterine. It may contain hormones or be copper-coated.Contraceptive injectionIt is an alternative method for women who often forget to take their birth control pills or do not prefer other birth control methods. It is one of the most popular methods due to its convenient use and long-term protection.ImplantsImplants contain hormonal drugs that are slowly released into the ovaries, thus preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years. They are administered under the skin for once.Birth control patchesA birth control patch contains progesterone and estrogen that affect ovarian functions. It is a beige coloured patch that is 3-4 cm wide, and very easy to use. Birth control patches can be worn on the chest, arms, legs, stomach or back.Morning-after pillMorning-after pill is not a birth control method, but merely a quick remedy for unexpected situations. When taken after unprotected sexual intercourse, the pill releases high levels of hormones to change the structure of the uterus and prevent ovulation and fertilization. It may be effective if taken within up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse, but the effect is at maximum level in the first 12 hours.Barrier MethodsPreservative (Condom)In addition to birth control, condoms offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases, which make them the top choice for many people.DiaphragmIt is a dome-shaped bowl made of rubber (latex) that sits over the cervix. Diaphragm is an easy-to-use and reusable method, and it’s a popular device among women who do not prefer hormone pills.SpermicidesSpermicides are substances that kill the sperms entering the vagina. They can be in the form of suppositories, foams or creams. They can offer increased protection when combined with other contraceptive methods.Surgical MethodsTubal Sterilization (Having Tubes Tied)It is a simple and quick laparoscopic procedure in which the surgeon ties the tubes of the patient. Couples should think carefully before choosing this method because reversing it can be difficult and expensive.VasectomyIt is a procedure in which the seminal ducts of a man are tied.

Reasons of longer intervals between menstruation cycles:Women who use hormonal birth control methods may initially have longer intervals between their menstruation cycles during the first 3 to 6 months. In some women, the menstruation cycle may completely stop when hormonal birth control is used.Young women who do heavy exercises can also have the same problem.Women who just reached puberty or are in their menopausal ages may have the same problem due to fluctuation.Intervals between menstruation cycles can be longer among women who have hormonal disorders such as diabetes or thyroid.Reasons of shorter intervals between menstruation cycles:Stress may disrupt the hormonal balance in our body, which may result in shorter intervals between menstruation cycles.It may also result from infections or sexually transmitted diseases. It may emerge with various symptoms besides menstrual irregularity, including vaginal secretion, itch, burning sensation during urination, etc.Patients of endometriosis have severe pain and intense bleeding during their menstruation periods. Menopause is the time that marks the end of menstruation cycles. It may vary among women but typically menopause starts in the 40s in many women. The change in the hormone levels may result in menstruation irregularity.

Menstruation is the monthly shedding of the lining of a woman’s uterus if pregnancy has not occured. This process is supposed to occur as a cycle from puberty to menopause. Women’s menstruation cycle is paused during pregnancy and early breast-feeding period. Normally, the interval between two menstruation cycles is about 21 to 35 days. If this interval is shorter or longer or if the menstruation stops abnormally, it means that person suffers from menstrual irregularity.

Internal medicine covers non-surgical treatment and monitoring of various conditions that affect the internal organs of the body. For example, you may need to consult an internal diseases specialist if you have diabetes, thyroid diseases such as goiter, stomach diseases such as ulcer, gastritis, reflux, liver diseases, gallbladder diseases, stomach ache, constipation, diarrhea, anemia, hemophilia, obesity, cholesterol, high glyceride levels or other various disorders. General internal medicine has many sub-branches, so your family physician will refer you to the correct sub-branch.

Many people lose their ability to focus on nearby objects in their 40s, and may need glasses. This is commonly known as “presbyopia”. This condition occurs because the lens of our eye loses its flexibility as we age.

It is a visual condition in which you cannot see objects near you clearly because the front-to-back radius of the eye is shorter than normal size.

It is a common vision condition in which you cannot see the objects farther away clearly because your eyeball is too long. Individuals with myopia may squint their eyes to get a clear vision, which may cause headache. Severity of short-sightedness typically increases until 18 years of age, depending on the elongation of the eyes. However, this may also continue after 18 years of age among individuals who often focus on short distance (reading, use of screens/smartphones, etc.).

It is a congenital imperfection of the top transparent layer (cornea) of the eye. Normally, the cornea is perfectly shaped like a round orange, but in some individuals, it may be elliptical like an egg, which causes astigmatism. Astigmatic individuals may see objects blurry and wavy.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the lung, in which airways are narrowed. It may occur as attacks. The cause of the narrowing of the airways is the swelling of the walls of the airway due to a non-microbial reaction. The disease may occur as repeated shortness of breath, wheezing/whistling sound when breathing, feeling of pressure on the chest and coughing.

Dyspnea is a feeling of not being able to breathe well. Also known as shortness of breath, it is a very common symptom that can be associated with disorders in 3 organ systems: respiratory system, cardiovascular system and circulation system. Dyspnea can occur in various diseases but it typically emerges with disorders of the lung and heart.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a group of lung conditions which make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs. The two chronic conditions that cause this problem are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.When we breathe, the air sacs, i.e. alveoli, in our lungs pick up incoming oxygen into our bloodstream and send carbon dioxide out from our blood. Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation and narrowing of airways, i.e. the bronchiole that connects to the alveoli. Emphysema is the destruction and widening of the same airways and connected air sacs. As a result, incoming air cannot reach the alveoli and is trapped in the lungs. This condition is known as COPD.

Appendix is a blunt piece of tissue that is located at the beginning of your large intestine. It is 5-6 cm long and has a diameter of 3 mm. It is believed that the appendix helps regulate the defense mechanism and immune system of the intestines in early years of life. The inflammation of the appendix results in appendicitis, which can be treated surgically.

Hernia occurs when internal organs or various tissues push through weakened muscles. It typically occurs in the abdomen or groin. Hernia can be treated with surgery.

Typically, physical therapy must be continued until you reach your goals and make an evaluation of your situation in collaboration with your therapist. This may vary according to the severity of pain and loss of functions. It is crucial that you fully comply with the treatment, regularly do the prescribed exercises and be patient.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation is a specialty that covers diagnosis and treatment of physical and functional disorders of the musculoskeletal, nervous or cardiovascular systems. Physical Therapy means using physical agents and techniques to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Physical therapy methods involve external administration of physical agents to the body. The purpose is to relieve or eliminate pain, help the patient regain the ability to perform daily activities, ensure proper functioning of organs and help the patient become an independent individual.

You can protect yourself against skin cancer by avoiding risk factors that cause skin cancer and by minimizing your exposure to harmful levels of sunlight. Measures include using clothes and broad brimmed hats to prevent direct exposure to sunlight, staying in the shade, avoiding outdoor areas between 11:00 and 16:00 when the UV radiation reaches peak levels, using sunscreen regularly, avoiding tanning booths, checking contents and expiry dates of cosmetics, monitoring the changes in the skin and in the count and shape of moles, and consulting a dermatologist when in doubt.

Acne is a common skin problem in which the hair roots and oil glands in the skin (subdermal glands that produce oil) become clogged. It often occurs in the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne may affect people of all ages, but it is more common among young people. Typical acne may occur as sore red spots with yellow heads or blackheads known as open comedones or whiteheads known as closed comedones or even as large cysts. Acne may be triggered or aggravated by hormones, drugs or some food substances.

A severe infection in any part of the body may trigger an overreaction by the immune system, which may result in organ or tissue damage. This serious setting which may lead to single or multiple organ failure or even death is known as “sepsis” or “septicemia”. It starts with microorganisms contaminating the bloodstream, and may result from any kind of infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and early diagnosis is vital for survival. To prevent sepsis, any infection must be taken seriously and treated without any delay.

Influenza is a viral respiratory infection. It is also publicly known as flu. Influenza is caused by a group of viruses that may settle in the nose, throat or lungs.Influenza can be easily treated with appropriate supportive treatment; however, it may have fatal consequences if advanced complications are not properly treated in patients who have risk factors.

We can protect ourselves against infectious diseases by paying maximum care to our hygiene practices, by getting vaccinated against infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, and by leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular sleep patterns, avoiding tobacco, safe sex, and preserving food products in correct and safe conditions.

Migrant Health Centers (GSM) are established under community health centers at locations with higher migrant populations to offer preventive healthcare services to forced migrants in a more effective and efficient way, to overcome the problems arising from language barrier and to improve access to healthcare services.Enhanced GSMs are established in temporary accommodation centers that are away from a fully-equipped public hospital or in residential areas with a migrant population over 20,000 people. In addition to primary healthcare services, enhanced GSMs offer services in internal medicine, pediatric care, obstetrics-gynecology, oral and dental health, and psychosocial support services, which are also supported by imaging units and basic service laboratories. The aim is to improve access to services and reduce the workload of hospitals.

Individuals who will be away from their permanent residence address or who will temporarily live in Turkey can access healthcare services from the nearest family physician under the guest patient system. When a person needs to access healthcare services at a different location than their permanent address during summer holidays, travels or for any other reason, these services can be offered by a family physician in that city as a “guest patient”. The districts governed by the Law on Metropolitan Municipalities are considered as a single region in the implementation of the guest patient system. In this region, healthcare services cannot be offered under the guest patient system. Individuals in this region are asked to first consult their own family physician except for emergency situations.

In the scope of family health services, every individual is matched with a family physician to regularly monitor and evaluate their health condition and to address and manage the patient-physician relationship on the basis of mutual trust under the oversight of a physician who has sufficient information about the health history of the individual. During the first implementation of the system, the family physicians for individuals were automatically appointed by the Ministry according to their residence address, and individuals were given a right to choose a different physician. Newborns, babies and children who are not yet registered in a birth registry are registered with the same family physicians as their mothers.Individuals can choose their family physicians without geographical restriction, and many choose to register with a family physician who is based in the nearest family health center to ensure fast and easy access to their family health services. Family physicians cannot be changed earlier than 3 months, unless it is mandatory. A family physician can be matched with not more than 4000 people. In that case, individuals are recommended to register with another family physician at the nearest family health center who is available. Also, a new family health unit is planned for the family health center with too many registered patients to reduce the number of individuals per family physician so that patients can be registered at that family health center. You can find out your family physician by using the search function on e-Devlet/e-Nabız application or by consulting the nearest Family Health Center or the Community Health Center/District Directorate of Healthcare in your district.

Family Health Centers offer basic primary healthcare services, including preventive healthcare, diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation services, to individuals. These services are very common and easily accessible by individuals. Primary healthcare services are the go-to services when we need to consult a professional about anything related to our health, except for emergencies. If necessary, family physicians may refer you to another professional or hospital.

In Turkey, primary healthcare services are mainly offered by Family Health Centers.Family healthcare services cover all preventive healthcare services and primary healthcare services offered to registered individuals without any discrimination of age, gender or health condition. Community health centers also offer primary healthcare services. Unlike family health centers which offer services to individuals, community health centers offer services to the whole community. The objective is to improve and protect the health of the local community. With the revision of the organization of the Ministry of Health in 2017, the duties of Community Health Centers were transferred to District Directorates of Health. However, Community Health Centers continue their operations at several locations.

The benign or malignant masses that originate from brain tissue cells, meninges, brain nerves or skull are broadly named as “brain tumours”. Brain tumours may be congenital or occur in later phases of life. The brain tumour creates a mass effect which leads to an elevation of the intracranial pressure, and results in problems of the nervous system. These problems may vary depending on the localization of the tumour.

The facial movements are controlled by the nerves that originate from the brain and reach our facial muscles (facial nerves) and the branches of nerve endings. Any disruption in this electrical network that starts in the brain and extends to the smallest muscles in the face results in the condition which is known as “facial paralysis”. In most of the cases, the cause of the condition is unknown; however, there is a high probability of success in treatment.

The spinal cord stretches along our spine and helps our organs function and our muscles work with nerve roots that shoot on the left and right of the spine at each level. The branches that shoot at the waist level control the movement and sensation of the legs. Our nerves, which are anatomically soft and quite delicate, are protected by our spine. In addition to protecting the spinal cord, our spine is also the most important component of our locomotor system. That is to say, the spine protects the most valuable cells in our body while also helping our body move. This motion is created by the joints and cartilage tissues which act as a pillow between the vertebrae. The cartilage tissue between the vertebrae may wear out in time due to age, personal habits and occupational damage. The condition in which the cartilage tissue moves out of its place towards the spinal cord and nerve roots or gets dislocated and presses the nerve roots is called a hernia.

You should brush your teeth at least for two minutes twice a day or after each meal. Many people think brushing the teeth is enough; however, there are a few more important steps you need to take to keep your teeth and gums healthy and to avoid bad breath: bacteria and food particles hide under a thin layer in the tongue. So, it’s important to brush your tongue as well. Flossing is also very important to clean the areas between the teeth and to remove food particles that are stuck between your teeth.

Dental cavities often occur after the destruction of the hard enamel tissue on the teeth, or of the underlying dentine tissue or of the hard tissue covering the dental root surface. This particularly happens when the dental surface comes into prolonged contact with carbohydrates (sugar, starch, etc.), soda or other fizzy beverages, cake, chocolate and other sticky food substances. The bacteria in the oral cavity feed on these food residues and produce acid with the help of these microorganisms. In the long term, this acidic environment destroys the hard dental tissue, resulting in dental cavities.

First aid refers to any drug-free application performed with available tools and instruments, without requiring specialized medical instruments, which is offered on the scene of an accident or any life-threatening incident to save someone’s life or to avoid deterioration of someone’s health condition until medical response by a healthcare professional is available.

CPR is the first aid technique that is used to resuscitate a person in the event of a cardiopulmonary arrest or asphyxiation. CPR stands for “cardiopulmonary resuscitation”, in which the term “cardio” refers to the heart, and “pulmonary” refers to the lungs. The term “resuscitation” refers to any external supportive response given to a person whose breathing or circulation system has stopped. This is a vital technique. The part of the technique which does not involve any drugs or tools is called “basic life support”. CPR covers all methods that are used in emergency cases, including cardiopulmonary arrest or asphyxiation. The technique is widely known as “heart massage” or “artificial respiration.” As a rule of thumb, the brain is not damaged during the first four minutes, therefore it is highly probable that CPR can be life-saving without any permanent brain damage if it is performed in the first four minutes. Brain damage starts between 4th and 10th minutes of cardiopulmonary arrest or asphyxiation. Irretrievable and severe brain damage starts after 10 minutes. Therefore CPR should be performed as soon as possible.

The answers to the questions of what life is like for us and how we see ourselves in this place will help us to understand our expectations of life. We think our mental health will be stronger as these expectations are met. However, basically we can say that every person wants to be happy and healthy. Having a healthy family life, having social relationships and romantic relationships that we enjoy, having life goals that lift us out of bed every day and motivate us to do things, having a healthy body, being able to eat and sleeping regularly, having hobbies and habits that are good for us (playing sports, reading books, playing an instrument), working and producing a job can be considered as protective factors for our mental health.

Stress is a unique experience of life in everyday life. Feeling stressed is not an abnormal condition. Of course we can feel stress before important events for us, but what is important here is how stress affects the quality of our lives. Therefore, after feeling stressed, what we do becomes important. There may be moments in the course of daily life when we don't realize we're stressed. That is why priority is able to identify stress itself. What happens when we feel stressed? We can assess what is happening in our body, in our mind (our hands may sweat, our hearts may beat rapidly, we may have difficulty recovering our thoughts). Then, confronting the situation that we consider stressful and expressing this situation in a few sentences, even writing down these thoughts, identifying the emotions we feel, learning more about the situation we are going through (such as talking to someone who has been through this before or doing research on the Internet if we are worried about the exam we are going to take or the job interview) helps us to understand ourselves. Examining the positive-negative-neutral aspects of the situation that we consider stressful and then deciding how to act, talking to our friends, taking deep breaths can be a good plan to cope with stress. If you want to know more about it and what you can do, check out the illustrated guide: WHO (World Health Organization) What to Do in Stressful Moments: Illustrated Guide (Arabic, Turkish, English) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003927

It can be alarming in many ways to think that your mental health is deteriorating. What exactly worries you? Not knowing what will happen in the continuation of the process, what will happen and what is the solution? Thinking about what people around you will think? That you think it's a weakness to ask for help? Realizing what worries you is the first step to developing a solution. First of all, we want you to know that you are not alone in this situation. 1 in 4 people in the world experience psychological disorders and seek for help. You may have concerns, but what really matters here is your health. Doctors and mental health professionals are the ones who will help you best in this regard. In this way, you can contact a mental health professional and relax quite a lot rather than live with fear and anxiety. As a result of the researches, we know that the vast majority of people who receive help feel better and can participate in daily life by recovering as a result of effective treatment. The way you turn to help shows that you can take steps and strength to get your life back on track. We think that the information we have prepared here will be useful to you, rather than knowing how the process works.

Psychological illnesses can be seen in everyone, as can physical illnesses. Even people who look very good, strong, strong around us may need psychological support from time to time. The point that we can underline here is that psychological diseases are not just a personal problem. Biological, psychological and environmental factors are effective in the formation of illnesses. It can be observed in all people.

It depends on your relationship with the person you are dealing with, the depth of your relationship. Being there for them, listening to their concerns without interrupting them and trying to change their minds, understanding them and then encouraging them to get support, creating action plans together if they want to, can be a good start.

In the process of psychological assistance, one's own will is quite important. This directly affects the efficiency that a person will receive from the help process. Therefore, in people who do not accept treatment, the priority is to listen very well. After listening, understanding their concerns, desires can be a second step. Finally, providing information about the process for the person we are dealing with, encouraging and making plans together can be considered as a third step. In all these processes, your approach to the person in front of you is very critical. If you approach it with a coercive, oppressive, convincing attitude, this may cause the person in front of you to close himself even more. A more effective approach can be considered that you listen well to the person you are dealing with, understand them, and speak without judgment.

In the center, people with chronic psychological disorders are monitored and treated without being disconnected from the environment in which they live. Regular, appropriate dose and correct time of drug treatment and possible side effects are monitored, home visits are planned by contacting people who cannot come to the center, open/closed group therapies are organized according to the person's condition, psychoeducation is given to the patient and his relatives, hobby / occupation areas are planned according to the person's interests, and social skills trainings are given. You can make an appointment by calling a center near you from the Services section.

AMATEM provides services in alcohol and drug addiction treatment. Short-term treatments continue inpatient in case of outpatient and advanced addiction. Firstly, treatment is carried out to get rid of addiction, then it is studied on adaptation to daily life, gaining physical and social skills. For more information, you can call the 191 hotline or check the website: https://alo191.saglik.gov.tr/

In care and rehabilitation centers, counseling and support services are aimed at individuals who have difficulty adapting to social life and meeting their daily needs due to the limitation of their physical, mental, spiritual, sensory and social skills for any reason, whether from birth or later. Rehabilitation studies are applied to minimize the negative effects of disability, to ensure skill development, to become self-sufficient individuals in home, work and social life. Different services can be provided for these purposes in each center.

If your problems keep you from participating in life and feeling good, getting help from a professional can make a big difference. We know that the vast majority of people who receive help feel better and are able to participate in daily life by recovering as a result of effective treatment. You don't need to be in a crisis or wait for it to get worse to seek help. A mental health professional can help you develop an effective plan for solving your problems, explore your goals, strengthen yourself in the face of challenges and build self-confidence, heal the pain you have experienced in the past, discover ways of thinking that affect your emotions, and create new and effective behavioral patterns.

We can share a lot of things with the people we trust in our daily lives and support each other. What makes psychotherapy different from everyday conversation is that it helps you understand yourself and its surroundings throughout the process and be satisfied with yourself, allows you to control or eliminate uncomfortable symptoms, and supports your ability to participate in daily life in a functional way. The process takes place under the guidance of a professional in a manner that is impartial, open, sincere and adhered to ethical rules without judgment, advice. A supportive relationship with the therapist based on trust, unconditional acceptance is established and confidentiality is maintained. The therapist is a person who has been trained in human psychology for many years, has a diploma and is competent in his field. Thanks to psychotherapy, it is possible to live a more balanced healthy and meaningful life.

Drug-free treatment of psychological disorders is possible, but when determining treatment, it is decided by evaluating the specific situation, the severity of the disorder, how much it affects the life of the person. In the treatment of some ailments, the drug forms the main method of treatment. In some disorders, a combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy is used. Only psychotherapy can be preferred instead of drugged treatment at the beginning of the disorder and during the period when complaints are low. Physical activity supporting psychotherapy, healthy and balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and strong social relationships are important. This decision is made jointly by the client and the mental health professional. It is known that the drug has an effective and accelerating effect on the healing process. If there is a significant decrease in the quality of life of the person, it is important to take psychotherapy with drug support.

For many people, stopping taking medication means 'getting well'. When you start to feel good about yourself, you may feel the urge to stop taking the drug. Even after your symptoms that bother you improve, you may need to continue using the drug for preventive purposes. It is best to decide when to stop taking the drug with the doctor following your situation.

The answer to the question of why the drug you are using does not act may vary depending on the type of drug, how long you have been using it and your living conditions. You can see the healing effect of some drugs weeks later with regular use. In addition, you can only evaluate factors such as the suitability of the drug and the amount of dose taken with a mental health professional who follows your process. In addition, changes in your lifestyle can also determine the effect of the drug (alcohol-drug use, stressful events, hormonal changes, other drugs used, etc.) If you think the drug is not working and observe that your symptoms are increasing, we recommend consulting the mental health professional you have recently met with.

Psychological resilience refers to adaptability in its simplest form. We can experience difficult life events and stressful situations in our everyday life. Even if the situation is the same, the way people are affected and their level may be different. Psychological resilience ensures that you can be minimally affected by negative effects and maintain a state of well-being. It may have developed due to factors such as a unique, innate predisposition, family support, social environment, etc. The good news is that psychological resilience is also a personality trait that can be learned and improved. Okay, but how? We know that the presence of a strong social support system (i.e. having people around you who will support you financially and spiritually, who you enjoy spending time with), gaining healthy thinking habits and taking care of self-care (regular sleep, eating well, exercise, etc.) increases psychological resilience.A mental health professional can help you improve your psychological resilience.

Do you ever feel reluctant or lazy to get things done? Maybe you still haven't started the things you've been wanting to do for a long time? If so, you may be experiencing a lack of motivation. Motivation is a feeling that drives us to do things, to take action to achieve our goals. Think about the things you love to do, do you start them without thinking or do they seem like a chore? If you feel excited and eager to complete these things while doing these things, and are eager to try new activities, it is a sign that you are motivated. Some of us experience motivation as something internal and related to emotions, such as wanting to perform well in sports competitions because it makes one feel self-confident and happy. Some of us experience motivation in connection with external events. For example, working to get a high grade in an exam, asking for appreciation and admiration from those around as a result of success. We are all different, in some cases an intrinsic motivation and in some cases an extrinsic motivation can move us. In this case, you can discover for yourself what motivates you. Here are the things we can recommend: - Pair: Match something you don't like to do with something you love to do. For example, if you don't like making your bed or folding your clothes, you can try doing this activity by pairing it with something you love, such as listening to music or dancing.- Reward yourself: You can be motivated by rewarding yourself after completing something you don't really like to do.- Turn it into a habit: The more you repeat something, the more likely it will turn into a habit, the easier it is to do each time, and it starts to happen spontaneously after a while.- Start small: Sometimes completing a task can seem overwhelming or difficult at first. Dividing this work into parts and stages can make it easier. Completing the pieces rather than doing all the work at once can keep you motivated.

Antidepressants do not cause physical dependence. Sudden discontinuation of the drug after long-term use may cause certain withdrawal symptoms, but this does not mean that you are addicted to antidepressants. Do not start medication or stop treatment on your own without consulting a doctor. Always discuss any potential concerns with your doctor.

For many people, stopping taking medication means 'getting well'. When you start to feel good about yourself, you may feel the urge to stop taking the drug. Even after your symptoms that bother you improve, you may need to continue using the drug for preventive purposes. It is best to decide when to stop taking the drug with the doctor following your situation.

We can share a lot of things with the people we trust in our daily lives and support each other. The difference of speaking in the therapy setting is that it aims to gain awareness, develop coping skills, and transform by exploring the situation you are having trouble with. The process takes place under the guidance of a professional in a manner that is impartial, open, sincere and adhered to ethical rules without judgment, advice. A supportive relationship based on trust, confidentiality and unconditional acceptance is established between the therapist and the client. The therapist is a person who has been trained in human psychology for many years, has a diploma and is competent in his field.

Although many people realize that they are depressed, they see it as their own weakness and may feel embarrassed to share it with others and seek help. However, depression is not a condition caused by a person's weakness, willpower or self-induced condition. Depression is a condition that occurs as a result of the effects that predispose the person, affecting hormones and the functioning of the brain. When you are depressed, you may not know why, you may not understand how you became like this. Getting professional support can help you make sense of the process and get better.

Anxiety that does not affect the work you do in your daily life can be considered natural and normal. However, excessive anxiety, intense and frequent occurrence, persistence for a long time (more than 6 months), and being unable to do the things you do in your daily life can be considered as signs of an anxiety disorder. In such a situation, you can consult a mental health professional.

It is normal to feel anxious before and during important events in our lives. Since these events have passed, we can expect the worries to pass. However, when this situation starts to become permanent and affects your daily life, getting support from a mental health professional will make you very comfortable. You don't have to fight alone.

We all worry from time to time. It is normal to feel anxious. Before a job we will do, before an exam we will take, when we have health problems, when our financial situation is not sufficient for the life we want to live now and in the future, or when we think that it will not be enough, we may feel anxiety in our relationships with our family and those around us. Such anxieties enable us to prepare and take action so that we can deal with our daily problems. It is useful in this respect. However, the important point here is the intensity and level of the anxiety we feel. If you feel unable to cope and your worries are affecting your daily life, it would be good to seek support from a mental health professional.

How long has this situation been going on? You can do many things to calm down, such as breathing, meditating, doing your hobbies, doing sports, talking to your friends, but the relief they create for you may also be temporary. We recommend that you seek professional support for a permanent solution.

Listen to what your friend is thinking and feeling. It's not always easy to talk about situations that cause us distress. The more he feels that you are listening to him with interest, the more he may feel comfortable opening himself up. Then you can ask what you can do to support him and you can play an important role in getting professional support by collaborating with your friend.

In the first days after experiencing a traumatic event, feelings of fear, nightmares, and feeling bad are more common. However, these symptoms may persist for days or weeks. But Post Traumatic Stress Disorder isn't something you have to live with for life. If you get professional support, these symptoms will ease and pass.

Hospitals with psychiatry and psychologist services, non-governmental organizations working with trauma, psychological counseling units if you are at school or university will provide you with the necessary support and guidance in this regard. In the services section, we have compiled the health centers that provide services with psychologists and psychiatrists for you.

Psychosis has no typical beginning. Some begin in an acute, rather flaming way, while others can manifest themselves with a more insidious and mild start. However, whether it starts acutely and inflamed or begins with fainter and milder symptoms, there may usually be some faint, signaling symptoms that people experience in the years before their first attack.

Psychosis is a treatable condition. With today's drug treatment, psychotherapy, social support and rehabilitation applications, symptoms can be improved and the person can participate in social life and live a healthy and productive life. Starting treatment and therapy as soon as possible is important for healing.If you or someone else you know is experiencing such psychotic symptoms, you should seek help from a mental health professional.

If you think you have a psychotic disorder near you, the most common condition is to have difficulty persuading the person to get professional help because the person believes in the existence of what he has experienced and sees no problem in himself. You relatives can play an active role in getting professional help. If the person is not voluntary, take care to take an empathic approach towards him without being oppressive. Remember that the person who experiences this situation maybe going through a very stressful process. In this case, it will be important not to damage the relationship of trust with the people around him. After gaining his trust by saying that the process of getting help will be good for him, that no harm will come to him and that you will be with him every step of the way, you can go to apply together. During the treatment process, it is very important that you, as the relatives of the person, get the right information about the disease and its treatment from a mental health professional. If you are informed, you can better understand your relative who suffers from psychotic disorders. In cases where family and friends are calm and knowledgeable about the illness, the person feels safer and treatment becomes easier. Knowing what to do in advance in the event of a crisis helps you stay calm in a crisis. After starting treatment, it is important to follow up medication and continue rehabilitation studies with the guidance of a mental health professional.

Drug treatment and psychological support should go together. It is important to organize life together with medication and psychological support, to eat regularly and healthy, to avoid drugs, to learn the skills to cope with stress, to have detailed knowledge about the illness. For more information; https://psikiyatri.org.tr/halka-yonelik/22/bipolar-bozukluk-ikiuclu-bozukluk-manik-depresif-hastalik

It's important to start by doing what your doctor recommends. This process will be more manageable as you move within your treatment plan. Getting regular psychological support from a mental health professional, observing yourself and starting to notice when symptoms increase and when they decrease, exercising, staying away from alcohol and drugs, a regular sleep habit is very important for you to be good.

Treatment may vary depending on what type of personality disorder the person has, but psychotherapy is used as the main treatment method. Medication (antidepressants, anti-psychotics, stabilizer and anti-attack drugs) can be used to treat excessive attacks that may occur in some cases. Psychotherapy treatment aims to evaluate problematic thought patterns, learn new thought and behavior patterns, improve coping skills and interpersonal relationships. People with personality disorders may not seek treatment on their own because they are unaware of their condition. If you have someone around you or in your family who you think has a personality disorder, you can consult a mental health professional to find out how you can support and provide incentives.

Volunteering is important in mental health counseling, no matter who it is. A person can feel even worse when they're taken somewhere as if they were being forced to do something they don't want. This can also damage the relationship of trust with the people around him. In this case, if there is a person who you think should get counseling, a relative, especially the person who gets along with him and listens to him, can be consulted together after gaining his trust by saying that this process can be healthy for him, that it will be good for him, that no harm will come to him, that he will be with him every step of the way. If someone is in danger of harm, you can get support from psychiatric emergency room.

It is important to start eating disorder treatment as early as possible. Although treatment takes time, it is possible to recover. For this, it is important to see a psychiatrist and start treatment as soon as possible.

Although eating disorders are classified differently in themselves, 14-19 years of age is a critical period.

You need to see a psychiatrist. In the Services section, you can see the hospitals closest to you that you can apply to.

Although the causes of eating disorders are not fully known, they can occur for different reasons due to genetic, psychological, social and cultural factors. Factors such as having previously suffered from any psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety or having a family member, changes in adolescence, cultural reasons (wanting to look more beautiful, more handsome) can be effective.

We can talk about many symptoms such as spending hours at the screen saying a few minutes, lying to those around you to spend more time, having physical problems due to prolonged computer use (low back pain, shoulder pain), eating to use the internet, giving up or significantly reducing self-care, being nervous when you are away from the computer and feeling empty. For more information, see Useful Links.

Restricting spending time with the computer may not be a permanent solution. Supporting your relative to create environments for socializing, directing them to appropriate sports, supporting them to make friends, and enabling them to use secure internet applications can offer a more constructive solution. Tasks can be assigned to make efficient use of the time spent on the computer.

In this area, Green Crescent provides free support. You can get free support by calling '115'.

Changing daily internet usage hours, using weekly internet usage schedules and awarding rewards if this is observed, receiving psychological support, directing them to different activities (such as sports-social activities) can be meaningful measures.

Youth centers in provinces and districts, centers operating under municipalities and Social Solidarity Foundations offer social services. For more information, please clink the link below to see assistance and services offered.https://www.aile.gov.tr/sygm/programlarimiz/sosyal-yardim-programlarimiz/http://www.alo183.gov.tr/

This service aims to identify families who cannot even achieve the lowest living standards and who cannot meet the basic needs of their children and to offer them economic support until they can have sufficient economic sources. Besides, the families are offered psychological and social support to mitigate social and mental health risks.

Social Service Centers aim to help us achieve better living conditions as members of the community. In line with this objective, they undertake preventive, protective, educational, developmental, supportive, guiding and rehabilitating social service activities. Please check the Services section to find the nearest Social Service Center.

Persons with individuals can benefit from public services which are aimed at addressing their special needs in healthcare, education, work life, care and rehabilitation, social assistance and social support. Please see the Resources section for more detailed information about these services.The state and municipalities offer free services at Accessible Life Centers and Care and Rehabilitation Centers for persons who cannot perform basic daily activities. Besides, associations offer educational, social and legal support. You can learn more about these organizations via our application.

There are many organizations and institutions that may offer you psychological and social support in Turkey. Some of the organizations where you can get social and psychological support are listed in the resources section of the application. You can visit these organizations or call them by phone to share your experience and get the support you need.

Under the Labor Code, everyone must be treated equally. Any discrimination at workplace based on language, race, gender, political affiliation, philosophical beliefs, religion, sect and similar reasons is forbidden. Besides, discrimination is a crime under the Constitution. When you are subject to discrimination, you are expected to demonstrate this. Witnesses, written correspondence and documents related to discriminating treatment may be submitted.

Knowing that you are not alone, getting support from others and supporting others are reciprocal processes. You can share your knowledge with your friends, or volunteer in civil society organizations with them, or raise awareness on stopping stigmatization and discrimination by organizing joint activities.

Accessibility means all individuals in the society can participate in social life without assistance from others and access all public services (education, healthcare, transportation, communication, internet, etc.) without limitations. Accessibility may include designing physical areas such as buildings, public transportation vehicles, parks, sidewalks, etc. as well as virtual environments such as websites and mobile applications, in accordance with the special needs of users with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive disabilities.

The terms "global warming" and "climate change" are sometimes used interchangeably, but global warming is just one of the ways in which climate is affected by rising concentrations of greenhouse gases. "Global warming" describes the recent rise in the global average temperature near the earth's surface, which is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) in the atmosphere from human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy.

- Atmospheric warming has the potential to increase ground-level ozone in many regions, which can cause multiple health issues (e.g., bronchitis and asthma) and worsen lung function.- Climate change is expected to expose more people to ticks that carry Lyme disease or other bacterial and viral agents, and to mosquitoes that transmit West Nile and other viruses.- Rising temperatures and extreme weather have the potential to disrupt the availability, safety, and nutritional quality of food.

People can reduce the risks of climate change by making choices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and by preparing for the changes expected in the future. Decisions that people make today will shape the world for decades and even centuries to come. Communities can also prepare for the changes in the decades ahead by identifying and reducing their vulnerabilities and considering climate change risks in planning and development. Such actions can ensure that the most vulnerable populations—such as young children, older adults, and people living in poverty—are protected from the health and safety threats of climate change.

The longer people wait to act on climate change, the more damaging its effects will become on the planet and people’s health. If people fail to take action soon, more drastic and costly measures to prevent greenhouse gases from exceeding dangerous levels could be needed later.

AQI stands for Air Quality Index; An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy-at first for certain vulnerable groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher.

Avoiding air pollution through staying indoors may be beneficial but the effect largely depends on the level of indoor exposure. There are many potential sources of indoor air pollution, such as cooking, active and passive smoking, in addition to the infiltration of air pollutants from outdoors to indoors, which in turn is a function of many factors (e.g. type of ventilation, building characteristics, etc.)

Two groups of people are at a higher risk from air pollution than the general population. People who are more susceptible have an increased response to exposure to air pollution. This increased response comes from an innate or acquired predisposition, such as pre-existing conditions or diseases. Moreover, some people are more vulnerable, which means they have an increased exposure, which is due to external factors such as place of residence, type of occupation, or internal factors such as increased ventilation (children), etc.The following categories are generally considered more at risk :- People with pre-existing conditions (e.g. cardiorespiratory)- Children & Pregnant women- Elderly- Outdoor workers

There can be many sources of contamination of our water systems. The most common sources of contaminants include:Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (e.g., arsenic, radon, uranium)Local land use practices (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, concentrated animal feeding operations)Manufacturing processesSewer overflowsMalfunctioning wastewater treatment systems (e.g., nearby septic systems)

Contaminants in our water can lead to health issues, including gastrointestinal infections, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may be at increased risk for becoming sick after drinking contaminated water. For example, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

Drinking water comes from many sources—most commonly surface waters such as rivers, streams, and lakes, and ground water sources such as aquifers and springs. Additionally, less common sources include captured rainwater, snow-melt, and desalinated seawater.

Treating drinking water for safe use is one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century and takes place around the world each and every day. Providing clean, safe drinking water requires a “multi-barrier approach” that includes protecting source waters from contamination, appropriately filtering and treating “raw water,” and ensuring safe distribution of treated water to consumers’ taps.

The difference between land degradation and desertification is geographic. Land degradation is a general term used to describe a negative trend in land conditions caused by direct or indirect human-induced processes. Degradation can be identified by the long-term reduction or loss in biological productivity, ecological integrity or value to humans. Desertification is land degradation when it occurs in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification is also not limited to irreversible forms of land degradation.

Contamination of land can arise as a result of past poorly regulated industrial and waste disposal activities carried out with little regard for the environment as well as illegal dumping and accidental spillage of substances. In some instances contamination may be natural rather than man-made. Some of the more common contaminants include oils and fuels, domestic and industrial waste, heavy metals and solvents. Where contamination is found to be significant, it needs to be cleaned up to minimize the harm it could cause to people and the environment in general.

It is difficult to predict how long it will take to determine a site and to carry out any remedial works as this is likely to vary from site to site. Based on a number of sites that have been investigated throughout the country, time scales have varied from approximately one to five years, with some sites being investigated over longer periods before a decision is reached on whether or not it requires remediation (clean up).

SARS-CoV-2 is mainly spread via respiratory droplets, including aerosols, from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, speaks, sings or breathes in close proximity to other people. Droplets can be inhaled or deposited in the nose and mouth or on the eyes. More rarely, infection may be due to contact with surfaces contaminated with droplets. The virus can survive on some surfaces for a few hours (copper, cardboard) and on others for up to a number of days (plastic and stainless steel). However, the amount of viable virus declines over time and it is rarely present on surfaces in sufficient amounts to cause infection. Infection may occur when a person touches their nose, mouth or eyes with their hands if their hands have been contaminated by fluids containing the virus or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. An infected person can transmit the virus up to two days before they experience symptoms, as well as while they have symptoms or even if they do not show any symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 can be detected 1 to 3 days before symptoms begin. However, detection of the virus does not necessarily mean that a person is infectious and able to spread the virus to others. Evidence indicates that people become infectious around 48 hours before symptoms start, but are most infectious when experiencing symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild and non-specific. Available data indicate that adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptoms begin. This estimate has been the same for variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron. Most adults with severe to critical illness or severe immunosuppression may remain infectious for up to 20 days after symptoms begin. Evidence shows that fully vaccinated individuals who become sick with COVID-19 (referred to as ‘breakthrough infections’) can carry comparable amounts of virus as non-vaccinated people. However, vaccinated individuals have generally been found to be less infectious overall.

Some people infected with SARS-CoV-2 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and most will recover without requiring special treatment. COVID-19 can sometimes be a severe disease requiring intensive care and potentially leading to death, especially among unvaccinated people, elderly, people with chronic diseases or immune system problems.

It's mostly the respiratory system that is affected by COVID-19, however, other parts of the body may also be affected by the disease.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are cold or flu-like symptoms and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include aches and pains, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. Some people do not have symptoms although they carry the virus and can infect others.Most diagnosed people recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment, but some people become seriously ill and need hospitalization.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity, kidney diseases, cancer, and immune system problems are more likely to develop moderate to serious disease.

COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who carries the virus. Many people with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease. It is possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

If you have been in close contact with someone infected with the new coronavirus, you may be infected. Close contact means that you live with or have been in settings of less than 2 meters from those who have the infection. If testing is available, you can contact your health care provider to know if you can be tested. If you have a chronic disease or if you have moderate to severe symptoms, you should seek medical advice.

Children and adolescents are just as likely to become infected as any other age group and can spread the disease. Evidence to date suggests that children and young adults are less likely to experience severe symptoms, but severe cases do exist in these age groups in case of underlying diseases or immune system problems.

The time between exposure to the new coronavirus and the onset of symptoms is commonly around two to five days but can range from 1 – 14 days. Please remember that some people may not show any symptoms.

When grocery shopping, keep your distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 that have been transmitted through food.

Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. Wash them thoroughly with clean water, the same way you would under any circumstance.

No. COVID-19 is caused by a virus and antibiotics do not work against viruses; they work against bacterial infections. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in moderate to severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

Self-isolation is an important measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It requires that a person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay at home and away from work, school or public places. If possible, people should self-isolate in a well-ventilated room or area where other people are not present and where they have access to hand hygiene and toilet facilities. If this is not possible, self-isolating individuals should wear a mask and maintain at least a 2 meter distance from others.

Travel increases your exposure to other people and it can be difficult to maintain enough physical distance while traveling on an airplane, bus, or train. If you must travel, make sure you wash/sanitize your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, keep distance from others if possible, and wear a mask or other face covering in public transport. If you are traveling to other countries, make sure you know about COVID-related requirements and the healthcare system in that country.

Some people do not experience any side effects, but the most commonly-reported events with COVID-19 vaccines are pain at the site of injection, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills.

The protection COVID-19 vaccines provide decreases over time, especially for certain groups of people. Recent data suggest their effectiveness at preventing infection or severe disease wanes over time, especially in people older than 65 years old and people with immune system problems.The emergence of the variants emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters for at-risk groups, especially older people and people living with a chronic disease.