SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus Coinfection

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 was initially identified in the Chinese city Wuhan on 29 December 2019. The infection hasrapidly spread all over the world, and the World Health Organization declared the infection a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The disease, named coronavirus disease 19, has similar modes of transmission and clinical features with influenza, and coinfections have also been reported during the course of coronavirus disease 19. Studies have shown that the ratio of coinfections ranged widely among studies, and the clinical presentation in coinfections has varied from mild to severe disease leading to death. Detection of coinfection is important in order to plan the optimal treatment and improve clinical outcome. Studies reveal that nonpharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and changes in population behavior implemented for coronavirus disease 19 have also reduced influenza transmission.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• covid-19
• influenza
• coinfection