【Text/Observer Network Zhao Noah】When the new crown meets the flu, what happens?
According to the Washington Post reported on January 5, there have been cases of influenza and new crown infection in many countries around the world, which is also known as "flurona", which is a splicing of The English words flu and coronavirus. The British tabloid The Sun coined an alarmist name for these co-infected cases: Double Trouble.
At first, the Times of Israel reported on December 30 last year that Israel had detected a case of both COVID-19 and influenza, which was reported as Israel's first case of "Flurona". With the United States, Spain and other countries have also reported cases of double infection, many people have begun to worry about "Flurona".
However, since the beginning of the new crown epidemic, such cases of double infection are not uncommon. As early as February 2020, there was a case in New York, USA. Last year, due to the epidemic prevention and control policies of various countries, the number of influenza cases decreased. But this year, the flu could "make a comeback."
The Washington Post introduces "coronavirus flu"
The cases of "flurona" in Israel are two pregnant women. Arnon Vizhnitser, director of the department of gynecology at Israel's Belinsen Hospital, said both COVID-19 and influenza A infections were on the rise during the Omiljun strain epidemic. Recently, two pregnant women who went to the hospital were both tested for infection with two viruses.
Wizhnitzer said the two pregnant women developed the same symptoms and received anti-fever treatment. Both were immediately quarantined and eventually returned home with healthy children. Neither had been vaccinated against the flu, but one had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to the Washington Post, "flurona" cases are not uncommon in the United States, where the current outbreak is most severe. In February 2020, a man was admitted to a New York hospital with a severe cough and fever. At the time, New York had not officially reported any COVID-19 cases.
After a flu test, the patient tested positive and was subsequently tested for the new coronavirus. A few weeks later, he also tested positive for COVID-19. He also had three other family members who were also infected with the virus.
On January 5 this year, a young man in Houston named Alec Zierlein was exposed to be infected with both the new crown and the flu virus and spent Christmas in isolation in his bedroom.
In an interview with the ABC, he said he was tested for the coronavirus, flu and strep throat. The end result showed that he was infected with the new crown and influenza viruses. He had previously been vaccinated against COVID-19, but had not been vaccinated against the flu.
After his diagnosis, Zirlein described the infection as a "mild cold." He did not know that the new crown and influenza viruses would superimpose on each other, and that influenza vaccines would be given as a preventive measure in the future.
A resident of New York, USA, receives a PHOTO of a COVID-19 test on January 4
In addition, Brazil, Spain, Hungary and the Philippines have already seen cases of double infection.
Brazil is currently battling an anti-seasonal flu outbreak, while also dealing with rising Cases of Amiqueron. Health officials in Brazil have confirmed that there have been 6 cases of "coronavirus flu" in 3 states. Daniel Soranz, the health minister of rio de Janeiro, told Efe in Spain that another 17 suspected cases were under investigation.
According to the Spanish "Le Monde" reported on January 3, the head of the Spanish Catalan Health Bureau confirmed that there were several cases of double infection with the new crown virus and influenza virus in Catalonia, but he also pointed out that these cases only appear sporadically, not normal, and the symptoms of patients are mild.
Why are double infection cases popping up around the world this year?
Wizhnitzer, director of the Department of Gynecology at Israel's Bellinson Hospital, believes that last year's flu cases were few, possibly due to the stricter lockdowns and social distancing measures brought about by the new crown epidemic. "But this year is different from last year, and now we face another challenge."
He predicts that such cases will continue to occur.
So, does the "flu" cause more severe symptoms? According to The Washington Post, both viruses cause similar symptoms, such as fever, cough, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, and muscle and body pain. The severity of both diseases depends on the individual's immune system, and the infection can be fatal. Health workers, the elderly and people with underlying health problems are at greater risk of contracting the virus in comparison.
As for how to prevent "flurona", the World Health Group (WHO) notes that the two viruses are transmitted in a similar way, i.e. through droplets and aerosols, such as coughing, sneezing, talking, singing or breathing. As a result, health officials encourage everyone to wear masks to protect others.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says flu vaccination rates last year were lower than in previous years, and that the best way to prevent concurrent infections is "to get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine, both of which are very effective and can be given at the same time."
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