Amid the surge in Omicron Covid-19 variant cases, Israel has reported its first case of what is being called the 'Florona' disease. On Friday, Arab News tweeted, "#Israel records the first case of #florona disease, a double infection of #COVID19 and influenza." As per a leading daily, florona was found in a pregnant woman who was admitted to a medical institution for delivering the baby. But, the young woman was not vaccinated for Covid-19 and this was mentioned in an Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. Onlymyhealth editorial team talked to Dr. Amit Kumar Singh, General Physician Gomti Hospital, Lucknow, to know about the recently reported Florona disease.
What is Florona disease? It is neither a new variant of Coronavirus nor it is a matter of worry that has never been seen before. The term 'florona' has been named with the merging of Flu + Corona, which characterises a dual infection of both the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2. Florona disease This can leave an impact on the severity of symptoms and recovery time of a patient. Florona can take a toll on one's immune system as both influenza and Coronavirus enter the human body at the same time. Read further to know more.
Florona symptoms
According to the World Health Organisation, it is even possible that a person can get infected with both the infections at once and have the same symptoms. These signs are cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache and fatigue. However, the symptoms may vary from one person to another, they can still prove to fatal if left untreated. According to a study published in the journal Nature, both influenza virus and Coronavirus are airborne transmissible infections that can affect the same human organs, including the respiratory tract and nasal, bronchial, and lungs. The main symptoms of florona are:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Loss of taste or/and smell
Also read: Watch Out For These Signs and Symptoms of Influenza
Some people might experience mild symptoms, while others may have severe signs. However, both the diseases are fatal if left undiagnosed and untreated. If suffering from COVID-19, a patient also experiences loss of taste and smell, which is not a symptom of influenza or flu. Even the post-infection complications that people have in the case of Covid do not occur if infected by the influenza virus.
Florona prevention
As per WHO, the best way to protect yourself from both influenza and severe symptoms of Covid-19 is to get fully vaccinated with both influenza and Covid vaccines. WHO also instructs that you should continue to follow all the preventive measures, such as maintaining social distance from others, wearing an N95 mask when keeping your distance is being difficult, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated areas, opening windows and doors to for proper ventilation and washing and sanitizing your hands frequently.
Also read: 6 Hygiene Hacks To Protect Yourself From The Third COVID-19 Wave In Delhi
Hence, it is important to maintain Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid the spread and severe symptoms of Covid-19 infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is “possible to catch both diseases at the same time”. The statement on WHO's website said, "The most effective way to prevent hospitalisation and severe Covid-19 and influenza is vaccination with both vaccines."