Nearly 650 thousand people each year were killed worldwide by flu before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The restrictions related to the coronavirus have almost led to the disappearance of this dangerous viral disease. But — as reported by the Reuters Agency — the flu hits again. At the end of 2021, 43 patients were in intensive care units in European hospitals.
- Compared to the period before the coronavirus pandemic, influenza has almost disappeared in Europe. The circulation of the virus was impaired by lockdowns that limited people’s mobility
- At the end of 2021, 43 cases of severe influenza were reported in NICUs in Europe. A year earlier, this was only one case
- The flu is slowly beginning to regain good conditions for development, experts warn
- Scientists are concerned about the so-called influenza viruses (flurons), i.e. combinations of influenza virus infection with severe COVID-19 course, which can be a lethal threat to patients
- More information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page
Restrictions announced in European countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited mobility and people-to-people contacts, which led to a reduction in the number of flu cases, although previously there were a lot of them. Now, however, the threat is back, and it is all the greater as scientists fear a combination of the influenza virus and the coronavirus. This combination may turn out to be particularly dangerous for less resistant patients, as well as for the elderly. Already this winter, cases of the so-called gryporony flurone), i.e. simultaneous infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the influenza virus. Are we in danger of a double pandemic?
The text continues below the video
- The two main symptoms that distinguish COVID-19 from the flu
A flu epidemic can last up to years
Currently, the number of flu patients in intensive care units is still much lower than before the pandemic (e.g. in December 2018 it was around 400 people a week), but it is starting to grow dangerously. This is due to the loosening of covid restrictions, which in turn is caused by the widespread vaccination program against the coronavirus. The flu is slowly starting to recover, warns the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Among others, France is facing an epidemic, with 72 serious cases of influenza and six deaths this season.
According to data from ECDC and the World Health Organization, the number of flu cases in European Intensive Care Units (ICUs) continued to rise in December, reaching a high of 43 in the last week of the year (only one case had been recorded the previous year). The return of the virus could mark the start of an unusually long flu season, which could extend into summerECDC’s chief flu expert Pasi Penttinen told Reuters. This is another, next to the coronavirus, epidemic that may adversely affect the efficiency of the health care system in Europe.
- Doctors warn: there will be more and more cases of flurons
Double infection increases the risk of death
It’s not just about medical care. The effects of a double infection can be very serious, especially for the sick themselves. — Getting the flu and COVID-19 together can be devastating for your immune system — Florida-based family medicine physician Dr. Adrian Burrowes warned on CNN in September 2021. A double infection also significantly increases the risk of death. Severe flu and COVID-19 infection can be practically death.
- Severe COVID-19 and comorbidities. New entry on the CDC list. It affects hundreds of millions of people
The matter is further complicated by the fact that the dominant strain of flu circulating this year so far seems to be the H3 virus, which tends to cause the most severe illness among the elderly.
As Pasi Penttinen told Reuters, it is too early to make a final evaluation of influenza vaccines as more patients are needed for real analyzes. At the same time, he added that the vaccines available this year are most likely “not optimal” against H3.
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
Also read:
- Flu on the attack. Record number of cases in Poland
- Assault on pharmacies. Are flu vaccines enough for everyone?
- Who is at risk of severe COVID-19? Scientists found several factors
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.