Getting COVID-19 and influenza at the same time: what are the risks?

ozgurdonmaz / iStockBY: DR. ALEXIS E. CARRINGTON, ABC News

(New York)—Around the corner, with new cases of coronaviruses still prevalent throughout the country, experts are addressing the so-called “eccentricity” of COVID-19 and influenza.

These are two completely different viruses, but experts say what happens when COVID-19 and influenza occur at the same time, and whether a virus that is infected with one virus is susceptible to the other. Is investigating.

“It’s not clear how superinfections occur, but it’s certainly possible,” said Dr. Jay Batt, a contributor to ABC News and former chief medical officer of the American Hospital Association. “When we enter the flu season, we will learn more.”

“The limited data suggests that it is possible,” added John Brownstein, epidemiologist, chief innovation officer at ABC News Medical Contributor and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Perhaps getting both viruses at the same time is more dangerous than just one virus. Experts have also warned that older Americans, who are already more vulnerable to both COVID-19 and influenza, may be at particular risk. Therefore, we strongly recommend that older people be vaccinated against influenza, especially this year.

“There are cases of co-infection, and the results are far worse than the effects of either virus alone,” said Brownstein.

According to a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 20% of patients, including those infected with influenza, may be infected with another respiratory virus in addition to COVID-19. Is shown.

“There may be an increase in COVID cases during the flu season, some of which are just how effective they are in maintaining the coherence of preventive actions that we know are working.” It may depend on

COVID and influenza are different viruses, but both spread among people who are in close contact. This often happens as the weather gets colder.

“Increased indoor interactions and reduced humidity are potential factors leading to a widespread increase in respiratory illness,” said Braunstein. “The concern is that these increasing epidemics are occurring at the same time, causing both increased risk for individuals and increased strain on their medical capabilities.”

However, limited evidence from the flu season in Australia seems to indicate that COVID-19’s social distance controls the spread of seasonal influenza.

“There’s a potential silver lining,” said Brownstein, “the current efforts on social distance and wearing masks can also affect flu transmission.”

Further investigation of the effects of COVID-19 and influenza on children requires further research to find out how likely someone is to be infected with COVID-19 and influenza simultaneously.

Most children appear relatively harmless to COVID-19, but are more vulnerable to seasonal flu.

“The risk of complications in healthy children is higher with influenza compared to COVID-19,” Bat said. “But infants with underlying illnesses are at increased risk of both influenza and COVID-19. We know that people who are immunocompromised and in close contact with people are at increased risk of infection and infection. I am.”

Another challenge in this flu season is that COVID-19 and flu are often quite different viruses, yet often cause similar symptoms.

Further investigation of the effects of COVID-19 and influenza on children requires further research to find out how likely someone is to be infected with COVID-19 and influenza simultaneously.

Most children appear relatively harmless to COVID-19, but are more vulnerable to seasonal flu.

“The risk of complications in healthy children is higher with influenza compared to COVID-19,” Bat said. “But infants with underlying illnesses are at increased risk of both influenza and COVID-19. We know that people who are immunocompromised and in close contact with people are at increased risk of infection and infection. I am.”

Another challenge in this flu season is that COVID-19 and flu are often quite different viruses, yet often cause similar symptoms.

“Influenza vaccines are widely recommended each year, but this year’s public health will make a special effort to increase their intake,” said Brownstein. “Everything we can do to protect an already strained healthcare system is better.”

Bat agreed that during the flu season, COVID-19 mitigation strategies will be more important than ever.

“Wear a mask, look at the distance and wash your hands,” Bat said.

Alexis E. Carrington, MD is a Dermatologist at the University of California, Davis and a contributor to the ABC News Medical Unit.

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