Russia (bbabo.net), - Epidemiological threshold for influenza and SARS was exceeded in 20 regions, Rospotrebnadzor reported. In the New Year's decade, the incidence decreased, but with the return to active life, the flu, which accounts for half of the cases of colds (more precisely, 57.6%), can raise its head again. In addition, there is a great risk of catching a mixed infection: both the flu and COVID-19.

It's too late to hope for a flu vaccine: the campaign is almost over. Those 68 million who were vaccinated are now in an advantageous position. The rest remains to beware. The protection against both infections is the same: contact reduction, distancing, masks, hand hygiene.

Cases of "double" infection were recorded earlier, both in Russia and in the world. As you might expect, the combination of the two viruses infecting the respiratory system usually results in a more severe and prolonged course of the disease. The risk groups for influenza and COVID-19 are common: these are people with cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary diseases, diabetics. They must be especially careful. In addition to the vaccination, the age of the patient plays a role - children under one year old and the elderly especially suffer from influenza. Also, if an infection has occurred, it is important to start treatment on time.

Mixed infection tends to be more severe

It is impossible to determine the simultaneous infection with influenza and coronavirus without laboratory diagnostics. True, flu is characterized by a very rapid increase in symptoms: in just a couple of hours, the temperature can rise to 39 degrees and higher. Moreover, if later there is a loss of smell, taste sensations change, then the probability of a combined infection is high. The deputy director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Alexander Gorelov, previously also warned of another threat: during the SARS season, people over 60 are at risk of complications from pneumococcal infection. "It is necessary to protect yourself, as the flu potentiates the pneumococcus. And the most severe course of the disease is just when the flu and pneumococcus are combined," the expert noted.

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