What is florona and what are its symptoms
Amid the lingering fear of the third wave of coronavirus due to the rising cases of Omicron variant across the globe, Israel has reported its first case of the florona. The rare mixture of two diseases caused by concurrent coronavirus and flu infection was diagnosed in a woman who recently gave birth in a hospital in Petah Tikva city, in central Israel. As per the initial reports, the young woman was unvaccinated against COVID-19. Her symptoms were relatively mild, and she is expected to be discharged soon. Here is what you need to know about this condition.
Is florona a new COVID variant?
Unlike Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron and others, florona is not a mutant variant of coronavirus. It is a case of double respiratory infection caused by COVID-19 and influenza pathogens. When the viruses of these two infections are present at the same time in the body, the condition is referred to as florona.
Read more: Coronavirus: Could Omicron variant act as a 'natural vaccine'? We try to find out
What are the symptoms of florona?
Both influenza and flu cause infection in the respiratory system leading to more or less the same symptoms. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) an individual can suffer from both the infections at the same time and share identical symptoms like sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, headaches and fatigue. The severity of the condition depends from person to person. Some may have mild symptoms, while others may experience severe signs. But both conditions can be fatal if not treated on time. In COVID a person may experience loss of taste and smell, which is not associated with flu. Even the post-infection complications witnessed in the case of COVID are missing when infected by the influenza virus.
How they spread
Being the disease of the upper respiratory system, both flu and COVID are transmitted through aerosol particles contaminated with the virus released by an infected person while coughing, speaking or sneezing. When a healthy person breathes the air or touches the surface contaminated with the virus, the pathogens enter the respiratory system where it starts multiplying. It usually takes 2 to 10 days for the symptoms to appear after being infected with the virus. Also, the risk of spreading the virus to others is greater during the initial days.
Read more: Coronavirus: Two new Omicron symptoms that have come to light
Why was it detected now?
With a drop in the temperature, the risk of influenza or flu has spiked, raising concern over double respiratory infection. Experts were worried about dual infections even last year during the pandemic, but no such cases were reported then. It could be due to the strict COVID norm and lockdown imposed in different parts of the world. Due to ease in the restrictions, the dual infection was possibly reported this year.
Is it worrisome?
COVID-19 in itself is not easy on our body. It affects multiple organs at one time and can even cause grave and long-term damage to them. In such a situation, if a person developed both infections, it would be taxing for the body to fight two different viruses. Besides, it is also complex to detect the two conditions due to overlapping symptoms, which can easily delay the treatment process. However, we cannot say anything with certainty about the long term complications and severity of florona as there is no information available on it. The condition has been recently reported and researchers of Israel are trying to gain more knowledge on it. Till then it is better to follow coronavirus related norms and get the COVID and flu vaccines at the earliest.