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"Flurona" is a popular term used to describe the case of people who have COVID-19 and flu at the same time, where "flu" refers to the flu virus (Influenza) and "rona" refers to to the coronavirus. As a consequence of having two types of virus, it is possible for the person to present at the same time, in some cases, signs and symptoms of both diseases.
The infection by two viruses is not a rare situation to happen, especially in periods when there are easily transmitted diseases in circulation and with a high number of cases, as is the case of COVID-19 and the flu.
Although having two infections at the same time, this does not necessarily mean that it is a more serious situation. Even so, it is important to be careful to avoid transmitting the virus to other people, and it is recommended to remain in isolation for at least 7 days, or according to medical advice.
Symptoms of "flurona"
The main reported signs and symptoms of "flurona" are:
- Fever;
- Cough;
- Faster and shorter breaths;
- Shortness of breath;
- Muscle pain;
- Headache;
- Pain when swallowing;
- Stuffy nose.
In the presence of these signs and symptoms, it is important to consult a general practitioner, so that exams are carried out and it can be verified if the symptoms are indicative of COVID-19, Influenza or "flurone".
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What to do in case of suspicion
In case of suspicion of "flurona", it is recommended to follow the guidelines of the Secretary of He alth of the State or Municipality, which may indicate the realization of teleconsultation, in which the evaluation of signs and symptoms is carried out, at a distance, and referral for specific exam for COVID-19, Influenza or viral panel.
In addition, it is recommended that the person stays in isolation for up to 14 days, or according to the doctor's guidance, to avoid transmitting the virus to other people. In milder cases, the doctor may recommend that the person rest, drink plenty of fluids and have a light diet, and the use of painkillers may also be recommended to relieve symptoms. On the other hand, in more severe cases, the doctor may recommend treatment with more specific drugs, including antivirals, to promote faster recovery.
It is also important to use face masks, sanitize and wash your hands regularly and avoid environments with greater concentration of people and poor air circulation, as well as taking the vaccine against COVID-19 and against the flu, because thus it is possible to increase protection against these viruses, preventing the development of more serious infections.
Exams that confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the "flurona", that is, the simultaneous infection of COVID-19 and flu, it is important to carry out laboratory tests to identify the presence, or not, of these viruses in the body. One of the most used tests is the collection of nasopharyngeal secretion, which is then analyzed in the laboratory using techniques such as PCR, to identify the presence of viruses.
In some cases, the doctor may even order a "viral panel" test in which the nasopharyngeal secretion sample is tested at the same time for several types of viruses, such as coronavirus, influenza, adenovirus, bocavirus, enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, for example.
In addition, blood tests can also be performed to identify changes that are indicative of infection, such as an increase in C-reactive protein, D-dimer, interleukin-6 and leukocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of lymphocytes circulating Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, the doctor may also request imaging tests, especially chest X-rays.
What does coinfection and co-detection mean?
Co-detection corresponds to the detection of more than one infectious agent in the same exam, however this identification does not necessarily indicate that the person will present signs and symptoms of diseases caused by these infectious agents. On the other hand, co-infection is when a person presents signs and symptoms of more than one disease at the same time, and more than one infectious agent is also detected.
