Influenza and COVID-19 Coinfection Increases Risks by 2.4

The peer-review journal The Lancet recently published results from an extensive study led by universities in the U.K. that examined clinical outcomes of co-infection with influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or adenoviruses in adults with a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection who were admitted to a hospital.

Respiratory viral co-infections were recorded for 6,965 patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Viral co-infection was detected in 583 (8.4%) patients: 227 patients had influenza viruses, 220 had RSV, and 136 had adenoviruses.

Furthermore, patients with co-infection of SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, and influenza viruses were over four times more likely to require ventilation support and 2.4 times more likely to die than if they only had Covid-19.

The research team from the University of Edinburgh, University of Liverpool, Leiden University, and Imperial College London stated in a press release issued on March 25, 2022, the findings show the need for 'greater flu testing of Covid-19 patients in hospitals.'

And 'highlight the importance of full vaccination against both Covid-19 and the flu.'

Professor Peter Openshaw at Imperial College London commented, "Being infected with more than one virus is not very common, but it's important to be aware that co-infections do happen."

"The vaccines that protect against Covid-19 and flu are different, and people need both."

"The way these two infections are treated is also different, so it's important to test for other viruses even when you have a diagnosis in someone hospitalized with a respiratory infection."

This research was funded by the Research and Innovation and by the Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health Research as part of the U.K. Government's Covid-19 rapid research response.

No industry conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Additional influenza news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/flu.

Note: The study and press release were edited for clarity and manually curated for mobile readers.