Dated: 13th January 2022
Whether it is new strains of the Coronavirus, vaccine names, antibodies, quarantine, or oximeter - these scientific terminologies are all at the tip of your tongue now, aren’t they? It seems like the world had just begun to come to terms with one such name- Omicron, when suddenly, a new term was being bandied about - Flurona!
It is a medical condition reported a few days ago in Israel, and as new and alarming as it may sound, it is not new and it is not a cause for panic. Let’s find out more about it.
1. What is Flurona?
Flurona is a combination of the words Flu (influenza) and Coronavirus. This term is used to describe a condition when a person has both respiratory infections COVID-19 and seasonal flu at the same time.
Flurona is an example of a medical condition called a co-infection, when an individual is infected with two or more disease-causing organisms at once. In this case, the disease-causing organisms are the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19) and an influenza virus (which causes seasonal flu)
2. Is Flurona a New Coronavirus Variant?
No, flurona is not a new variant of the novel Coronavirus. COVID-19 and seasonal flu are caused by 2 different viruses, and sometimes, they can infect an individual at the same time.
3. Is Flurona an Entirely New Disease?
Flurona is not a new disease. Cases of co-infection with flu and COVID-19 have been reported from across the globe almost as early as the start of the pandemic.
The cases may be on the rise currently because flu cases usually peak during winter season, and COVID-19 cases are also increasing rapidly right now, mainly due to the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
4. How Does Flurona Spread?
COVID-19 and influenza are both viral respiratory infections that spread through respiratory droplets and aerosols when an infected person exhales, talks, sneezes, laughs, or coughs. The droplets and aerosols can come in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth if you are nearby.
These viruses also spread when you touch surfaces contaminated by the viruses and then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose without washing your hands.
5. What Are Flurona’s Symptoms?
Any symptom of either of the diseases can be a symptom of Flurona. The most common symptoms being reported by flurona patients are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, difficulty in breathing, and diarrhoea.
Keep in mind that such symptoms can also be indicative of having only COVID-19 or only seasonal flu.
6. Are Flu And COVID-19 More Dangerous When Caught Together?
Scientists believe that more data and information is needed to arrive at any conclusions in this regard. There is limited data available presently on how many people have flurona, as not everybody who has a confirmed diagnosis of either flu or COVID-19 may be tested for the other disease.
Having two simultaneous infections does increase the burden on your immune system as it has to fight both at the same time. However, research suggests that in individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 or flu, the disease is usually mild in nature.
7. What is The Most Effective Protection Against Flurona?
Protecting yourself against flurona entails the same steps as protecting yourself from COVID-19. Wear properly-fitted masks, sanitise and/or wash your hands frequently, keep your rooms well-ventilated, and avoid crowded gatherings.
Most importantly, there are vaccines available against COVID-19 and flu that greatly reduce the severity of the diseases. So, get yourself vaccinated at the earliest if you still have not.
There is no need to panic. Be aware and take precautions. Since the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are almost similar, it is difficult to tell them apart. If you feel any of the symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
References:
1. Weathering the Omicron Surge, Explaining "Flurona." 2022. Weathering the Omicron Surge, Explaining "Flurona". [online] Available at: <https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/weathering-the-omicron-surge-explaining--flurona/> [Accessed 11 January 2022].
2. Gavi.org. 2022. Everything you need to know about “Flurona”. [online] Available at: <https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/everything-you-need-know-about-flurona> [Accessed 11 January 2022].
Disclaimer: This article is written by Practo for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.