Flurone: what is it and what are its symptoms?

Have you heard of the flurona? It is a very rare word that has been multiplying in Internet searches and that has triggered the alarms in several countries of the world, which is going through a new crisis with the pandemic. Do you want to know what it is about ?, pay attention to the note.

MORE INFORMATION: The sequelae left by COVID in critically ill patients: one step away from the third wave

Near the end of 2021, the Israeli government announced that it had detected its first case of flurone in a 30-year-old pregnant woman; and other countries have also made these cases known, but what does this strange word mean?

WHAT IS FLURON?

Fluron is a simultaneous infection of COVID-19 and flu. The term Flurona is the union between flu, influenza in English and rona, contraction of the coronavirus. It is not a scientific name but the word was created on December 30 by an Israeli newspaper, Ynet, which denounced a pregnant woman, who was not vaccinated against Sars-CoV-2 or influenza, and who had contracted both virus at the same time.

MORE INFORMATION: Argentina tests for COVID-19 on everyone who enters the country on the third day of arrival

IS HAVING THE FLU AND COVID AT THE SAME TIME, IS IT MORE SERIOUS?

It is not known. At the moment, it is not clear if the double infection can cause a more serious disease and how the two viral agents interact with each other, although generally one pathogen prevails over the other. However, it is likely that a co-infection in a frail patient may have a more complex course since two inflammatory actions coexist that can even cause significant respiratory problems.

IS A COINFECTION UNUSUAL?

No, in influenza pandemics, bacterial co-infections are one of the main causes of mortality, but they are less common among those positive for Sars-CoV-2, so much so that the routine use of antibiotics to treat COVID-infection is not recommended. 19. Co-infections between SARS-CoV2 and other respiratory viruses, including rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, influenza, and other circulating cold coronaviruses have also been documented since the onset of the pandemic. The first work documenting co-infections between flu and coronavirus was published by Chinese researchers in The Lancet on March 25, 2020. There were nine registered cases.

CAN A COLD AFFECT ANTIGEN TESTING RESULTS?

Results can be affected only if they are performed poorly. The antigenic test, like the molecular test, must therefore be prepared by a specialist.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DIFFERENTIATE THE SYMPTOMS OF FLU AND COVID?

No. The only way to know how to distinguish Covid from influenza is to make a differential diagnosis with a differentiated swab. It should be mentioned that the flu usually begins abruptly, with a high fever and at least one systemic symptom (eg, fatigue, muscle aches) and one respiratory symptom (such as cough, nasal congestion). The symptoms of COVID-19 are more varied but, in any case, they all overlap with seasonal disorders. With the omicron variant, symptoms appear milder, at least among the vaccinated population, and sore throats, colds, and runny noses prevail. Loss of taste and smell are no longer common.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM FLURONE?

To limit the risk of getting fluron, specialists recommend the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Although the risk of contagion is always latent, immunizations mitigate the risk of contracting a serious disease.

WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE REPORTED CASES OF FLURONA?

Flurone cases were first reported in the United States at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Israel detected its first case in the last days of 2021 and in Spain, specifically in Catalonia, this disease was also identified.