Almost all the countries of the world are clutched by COVID-19 and are battling with its new variant. When the world is already under threat due to vaccine defying new variants, news of double infection is also coming in. A few days ago, the case of a rare dual infection of COVID-19 and the flu, Flurona, was reported in two young pregnant women in Israel. Since then, Flurona is in the discussion. In this context, let’s understand about Flurona.
What is Flurona?
Flurona is a condition when a person gets infected with both influenza and COVID-19 infection simultaneously. Flurona is not a single disease or any new variant of coronavirus, but it is the occurrence of two different infections viz., influenza and COVID-19 in the same person. Influenza or flu cases always peak during the winter season, and the COVID-19 pandemic has probably led to the simultaneous occurrence of both infections in humans.
The confirmed case at the end of 2021 in Israel was not the first. In a study published in June 2020, doctors at Medilife Health Group in Istanbul, Turkey, reported six cases of double infection of Flu and corona in patients. Similarly, a study by doctors at the Hospital Clinic Barcelona in Spain found four cases.
Symptoms of Flurona:
Influenza and COVID-19 are both pulmonary infections, so the symptoms of both diseases can be considered as symptoms of the flu. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat may point to a double infection condition. Whenever a person experiences symptoms, medical help should be sought immediately.
Also read: Covid Updates: Uptick In Corona Cases Countrywide; Booster Dose Might Not Be The Solution
Spread of Flurona:
Both diseases are respiratory infections, so their transmission is also similar. According to the WHO, both COVID-19 and influenza spread through droplets and aerosols released, when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings or breathes. These droplets from an infected person come in the contact with other person through the eyes, nose or mouth usually.
It is a cause of concern?
With the fall in temperature, the risk of flu has increased. Due to which the concern over double respiratory infection has also increased. Due to the easing of restrictions, double infections have been reported this year.
Corona and the flu together can cause serious complications. Together, both viruses can wreak havoc on the body and can also cause many serious diseases. In simpler language, Flurona is a two-front war for our body’s immune system.
Due to flurona, the patient can have serious diseases like pneumonia, difficulty in breathing, organ failure, heart attack, swelling of heart or brain, stroke etc.
How to protect yourself from Flurona?
According to the WHO, the most effective way to avert the lethal threat of flurona, that is, to reduce the risk of hospitalization and to prevent the severity of corona and influenza, is to get both influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine.
 Besides, it is advisable to follow prevention measures and follow COVID appropriate behaviour to avoid it. These measures include maintaining a social distance of at least one meter from people, using a well-fitting mask if distancing is not possible, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated places, washing or sanitizing your hand regularly.
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