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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
After having been very important, the circulation of the flu virus has tended to slow down in recent days, while the Covid plays extra time. But is it possible to catch two viruses at the same time? The answers of Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.
The flu epidemic is less, even if the level of circulation of the virus remains high according to Public Health France and the peak of the ninth wave of Covid-19 is behind us. However, epidemics are still present and will return every year or more frequently. If you can catch one or the other, can you be contaminated by both at the same time?
Concomitant infection is possible
According to Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo, it is quite possible to catch both viruses. “Generally, when our body is weakened by an infection, the immune system is weakened. It is therefore less able to protect us against another virus or another bacterium. This explains why sometimes certain fragile people are affected by several viruses..
Does this represent many infections? “In practice, we only rarely know this, because we do not systematically test everyone and there is little interest because the care for flu and Covid is substantially the same. The exception, however, lies for people who are eligible for Paxlovid, the treatment against Covid-19. Knowing which virus affects them allows them to be prescribed the drug” adds the doctor.
The importance of vaccination against both viruses
A double infection with two different viruses also potentiates the symptoms. “If you have a fever with Covid-19, well, with the flu virus in addition, you risk suffering more aches and all the other symptoms, which will be felt in an increased way.“says Dr. Kierzek again.
“This is why vaccination is essential, for vulnerable populations in particular.” insists the doctor. Double vaccination makes it possible to protect oneself against each of the diseases at the same time, but also to avoid the potential respiratory complications that they can generate.