Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-۲ and Influenza Virus Co-infection: Friend or Foe?

Currently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-۲ (SARS-CoV-۲) is the etiological factor of the coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic condition. Based on the evidence, the number of infected patients is increasing around the world. SARS-COV۲ infection could show both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations in patients. The Influenza virus is the cause of influenza disease which is a seasonal viral disease with clinical symptoms similar to COVID-۱۹. Influenza could be a major public health problem throughout the world, as each year approximately ۱۰%‐۲۰% of the worldchr('۳۹')s population are infected and is the major cause of death, particularly among the elderly. Since influenza has an effective and preventive vaccine, maximizing influenza vaccination has been suggested. Until now (November ۲۰, ۲۰۲۰) COVID-۱۹ doesn’t have any approved drug or vaccine, So the universal influenza vaccination will probably decrease the health burden of this co-infection. In this review, we will focus on the importance of COVID-۱۹ and influenza co-infection in the COVID-۱۹ pandemic era.

Keywords:

SARS-COV-۲ , COVID-۱۹ , Influenza , Co-infection , SARS-COV-۲ , COVID-۱۹ , Influenza , Co-infection