Experts predicted and hoped that thanks to measures against Covid, many people would not become infected with the flu. The flu usually peaks in February, so it does not pose a high risk at the moment, but it must be said that this does not rule out the possibility of a "twindemic" - infection with two viruses simultaneously.
Infectious disease experts have warned that a significant portion of the population could become ill with Covid and the flu within a few weeks or, in the worst case, at the same time. How is this possible?
A coronavirus-flu infection is possible because both viruses bind to different parts of the body. They are not "competing" with each other when it comes to infecting our cells.
Usually, when viruses infect different areas of the body, the consequences are more severe. Specialists say these people are sicker than others and need more time to heal. Influenza can damage the body similarly to Covid-19: both cause low blood oxygen levels, breathing problems and inflammation.
The risk is expected to be higher among people most susceptible to each virus - such as the elderly and people with underlying health problems such as obesity, cancer and lung disease.
The immune response may not work for both, or it may not be enough. The response to one virus may not be appropriate for the other, which makes the symptoms of the disease more aggressive.
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Sources: Health, Healthline
