Flurone is not a new virus - here's what you need to know 2:13
(CNN) -
Israel detected last week its first known case of "flurone", the simultaneous infection by covid-19 and influenza, as confirmed by the country's Ministry of Health to CNN on Tuesday, raising questions about the impact that they could have both viruses in someone who gets them at the same time.
The patient, an unvaccinated pregnant woman in her 30s, was released Thursday "in good general condition," Petah Tikva's Beilinson Hospital said in a statement.
On Thursday, the first known case of flu and covid-19 coinfection was detected in Israel, as confirmed by the country's Ministry of Health.
"She is the first mother to be diagnosed with flu and coronavirus in Beilinson. We treat her with a combination of drugs that target both covid and flu," Arnon Wiznitzer, director of the Women's Department of the United States, said in the statement. Beilinson.
"We are seeing increasing morbidity from influenza among the maternal population, along with coronavirus cases that occur mainly in women not vaccinated against covid and influenza," added Wiznitzer.
"It is definitely a difficult time in which in addition to covid-19 diseases we are increasingly facing the flu."
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What Covid-19 and Flu Could Do Together
"Flurone" is a term coined to describe the condition of being simultaneously infected with covid-19 and the flu.
Nadav Davidovitch, director of the School of Public Health at Israel's Ben-Gurion University, told CNN on Tuesday that since "there is now very high flu activity and very high covid activity, there is a possibility that someone gets infected with both. "
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"I don't think it is going to be a common situation, but it is something that must be taken into account," added Davidovitch, who is a member of Israel's National Advisory Committee on covid-19.
The lockdowns and the use of masks helped limit the spread of the flu in the early moments of the pandemic, but as society opens up, cases are expected to increase.
Between influenza and covid-19, winter in the US "could be difficult"
"It is interesting that after having a year with very, very low or no influenza activity, the following year, as people are less exposed, it makes them more vulnerable," said Davidovitch.
Davidovitch added that for people without underlying health problems who have been vaccinated against flu and COVID-19, these viruses are unlikely to have a "significant effect on the individual."
The threat to the highest risk groups
The flu and covid-19 are respiratory diseases, and they can cause similar symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache and fatigue, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Both are spread through droplets and aerosols when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs, or sneezes.
Being infected with covid-19 and the flu at the same time could be "catastrophic for your immune system," Dr. Adrian Burrowes, a family physician and adjunct professor of Family Medicine at the University of Central Florida, told CNN in September.
"I think there is going to be a co-infection with the flu and the coronavirus. And I think there will be a higher death rate as a result of that," Burrowes said at the time.
Davidovitch said there was not enough data to suggest whether hospitalization rates are higher for those infected with the flu and Covid-19, compared to someone with just one of the viruses.
ANALYSIS |
Ómicron might be less dangerous, but it has tied the United States in knots
An overloaded system
As governments around the world grapple with outbreaks of the omicron variant, Davidovitch is concerned about the potential burden flu and coronavirus could place on healthcare systems, especially during the winter months.
"During the winter, because ... it's cold and people are indoors, there is a higher risk of getting sick from upper respiratory infections in general. And when you have a high rate of infections, both flu and covid All of this can lead to system overload, "said Davidovitch.
To curb the spread of flu and coronavirus, and avoid overloading global health systems, he stressed the "need to protect people."
More than 100,000 people are currently hospitalized for covid-19 in the US, according to HHS data
"We are now facing winter, we are facing overflowing wards, and prevention is probably the best idea. And last year we were lucky not to suffer from both [covid-19 and flu]," Davidovitch said.
He said that to help protect healthcare systems, more people need to be vaccinated, as well as other measures to help protect high-risk people, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
According to the WHO, people can take effective protective measures against covid-19 and influenza, such as distancing, periodic cleaning of hands, insulation, and opening windows and doors to ensure ventilation.
- Holly Yan contributed to this report.
Flurone
