Russia (bbabo.net), - Rospotrebnadzor records a seasonal rise in the incidence of influenza and ARVI. This means that the risk of a possible combination of two infections - COVID-19 and influenza - increases. Mixed infection can be quite severe and cause the most adverse consequences, the ministry said in a statement.
Experts from the Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Gabrichevsky Rospotrebnadzor answered the most pressing questions about the "double" infection.
1. How does the disease proceed if I become infected with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time? How long does it last?
The combination of two viruses that infect the respiratory system, as a rule, leads to a more severe and prolonged course of the disease. However, the severity of manifestations and their duration are influenced by many other factors: vaccination, patient's age, chronic diseases, treatment started on time.
If a person is vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza, then the likelihood of a severe course is minimal, and the disease goes away faster.
In children under the age of one year and the elderly, as well as people with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular or bronchopulmonary systems, diabetes mellitus, the risk of severe and prolonged course is much higher.
2. Have there been cases of simultaneous infection with coronavirus and influenza in Russia?
Cases of simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and influenza were recorded in different countries, including Russia. One of the first such cases was reported among New Yorkers with COVID-19 in March-April 2020. For example, in October 2021 in Sevastopol, both the flu virus and SARS-CoV-2 were simultaneously found in a sick pregnant woman.
3. Is it possible to understand that a person is infected with two viruses at the same time? Are there any specific symptoms?
Determining the simultaneous infection with influenza and coronavirus is not easy without laboratory diagnosis. The flu is characterized by a very rapid increase in symptoms: literally in a few hours, the body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees or more, headache, muscle aches appear. With coronavirus infection, signs of the disease develop gradually. If after a certain period of time loss of smell joins, taste sensations change, then the probability of a combined infection is high.
However, if the flu infection occurred during the incubation period of the coronavirus infection, then the symptoms can occur almost simultaneously. In cases of infection with the omicron variant, complaints of changes in taste and smell characteristic of COVID-19 are rarely recorded.
4. How is COVID-19 and flu combined?
Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment - he takes into account the severity of the course of the disease, as well as the age and individual characteristics of the patient, his chronic diseases. In any case, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible, strictly follow the recommendations, observe the doses and time of taking the drugs.
In most cases, if an influenza concomitant with coronavirus is detected, additional drugs will not be required, since broad-spectrum antiviral drugs used in COVID-19 work against both viruses, and symptomatic therapy is the same.
It is very important not to forget about drinking plenty of fluids - this helps to relieve intoxication. To reduce the number of viruses on the mucous membranes, you need to gargle and rinse your nose with solutions recommended by your doctor.
5. Who is at risk? What prevention measures work?
The highest probability of contracting two viruses at the same time is in those who are not vaccinated, as well as if a person does not use a mask when visiting crowded places, especially in enclosed spaces.
The most dangerous areas of the dance floor at concerts, queues in front of the box office, public transport.
The risk of infection is also increased among representatives of professions who are in contact with a large number of people, for example, teachers and doctors.
Non-specific (that is, non-drug) prevention measures are the same for both infections: with the correct use of protective masks and respirators, maintaining social distance, regular hand washing and the use of disinfectants, the risk of infection can be reduced to a minimum.
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