At a time when we are finding ways to deal with the highly infectious Omicron variant of the COVID-19, Israel has recorded the first case of double infection of the coronavirus and influenza. “#Israel records the first case of #florona disease, a double infection of #COVID19 and influenza,” Arab News tweeted on Friday. The case was detected after a pregnant woman was reportedly admitted to a hospital as her delivery was due. However, reports have quoted Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that the woman was not vaccinated.
What is Florona?
This is not a new variant of the COVID-19 but it is a double infection of the coronavirus and influenza at the same time. Doctors and researchers are studying ‘florona’ as a sudden spike in influenza has been reported in the country.
This is a serious concern as it indicates a severe lapse in the immunity system of the body as two viruses are infecting it simultaneously.
However, authorities have urged people not to panic as florona is not a new variant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “vaccination with both vaccines is the most effective way to prevent hospitalisation.”
Symptoms
While one can notice symptoms of flue within three to four days, it takes up to 14 days for coronavirus symptoms to appear. Symptoms of both flu and coronavirus are similar – cough, cold, runny nose and fever. They can only be differentiated when the sample is sent for testing.
Delmicron
Earlier, experts had flagged a rise in cases of Delmicron – which is twin spikes of Delta and Omicron. There have several cases of Delmicron in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Israel has started administering fourth vaccine shots to immuno-suppressed people. The fourth dose is being administered to people with compromised immune systems if at least four months have passed since their third shot.
