Alert for increased flu and Covid co-infection

Natalia Vitela/ Agencia Reforma

Monday 12 December 2022 | 1:36 pm

CDMX.- In the increase in cases of influenza and Covid-19, there are patients who are facing infection with the two viruses, especially those with incomplete vaccination schedules or depressed immune systems, warned Francisco Moreno, of the ABC hospital.

Monitoring in private laboratories, said the head of the Covid program of that hospital, showed that 30 percent of Covid-19 tests are positive, which indicates high circulation, and in at least 3 percent there it was a coinfection.

“Out of 100 samples they have taken, three have coinfection. Out of 100 cases of respiratory diseases, you have three with coinfection, it is high,” warned the specialist.

At ABC Hospital, Moreno specified, out of seven hospitalized patients, three have a co-infection, which indicates that for them the arrival at the hospital is a risk factor.

According to the expert, one of the flu seasons with the highest number of cases is currently being recorded, in addition to the fact that Mexico is facing a sixth peak of Covid-19.

“You have a surge when after having a low number of cases, you start having a surge, and for several weeks now we’ve been seeing a weekly surge in the number of new cases,” he explained.

Moreno said that according to a 2020 Brazilian report, when anti-Covid vaccines did not exist, he showed that coinfection could increase mortality up to three times in patients with Covid-19.

To take care of these patients, he specified, they must receive oseltamivir, but the problem is that in the private sector there is no possibility of acquiring the antivirals that prevent the progression of the disease and death from Covid.

The expert specified that patients who are more than 10 months after receiving a booster vaccine against Covid-19 or who have not been vaccinated are more susceptible to co-infections, along with patients who have a significant immune problem.

Studies have shown, especially in people who don’t have good immune systems, that the vaccine lasts for six to eight months and then immunity starts to wane.

Furthermore, he warned, Mexico was not interested in the bivalent vaccine that protects against the Omicron variant.

For Moreno, the country requires a vaccination update against Covid-19 with the bivalent vaccine.

Infectious disease specialist Alejandro Macías said that the co-circulation of these viruses caused people to get sick with a respiratory infection and get cured, and get sick again with the other infection.

Experts have warned that the fact that the guard has been let down with regard to protective measures, particularly in the use of face masks, makes the population much more vulnerable.

“The pandemic isn’t over. The message is to use a face mask indoors; avoid riots; ventilate enclosed spaces; get the vaccine you need; stay in the best physical condition possible, and if you’re sick, stay home,” he said. stressed Macías out. .