Co-infection of COVID-19 with other respiratory pathogens which may complicate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19 emerge new concern. Eleven prevalence studies with total of 3,070 patients with COVID-19, and 79 patients with concurrent COVID-19 and influenza were evaluated by Dadashi et al from Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran . The overlap of COVID-19 and influenza, as two epidemics at the same time can occur in the cold months of the year. The prevalence of influenza infection was 0.8% in patients with confirmed COVID-19. The frequency of influenza virus co-infection among patients with COVID-19 was 4.5% in Asia and 0.4% in the America.
This information highlights the importance of getting properly vaccinated for both COVID-19 and influenza and practicing safe prevention (wearing masks and maintaining distance) as advised by the local health authorities. Neck breathers including laryngectomee should practice extra vigilance to avoid respiratory infections.
