CASE REPORT
A case of influenza A and COVID-19 co-infection in a patient with severe asthma:
Similarities and differences between the two viruses
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1
2nd Pulmonary Medicine Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, "Attikon" University
Hospital, Haidari, Greece
2
4th Department of Internal Medicine,
School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, "Attikon" University
Hospital, Haidari, Greece
Publication date: 2021-08-31
Corresponding author
Ioannis Tomos
"University Hospital "Attikon", Medical School,
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,
Greece, 1 Rimini Street, 12462, Haidari, Greece
Pneumon 2020;33(4):1-5
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
A novel coronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in an acute respiratory illness has been
recently emerged to a pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic developed in
a season when influenza was prevalent. Influenza is well known to
cause respiratory infection with other respiratory pathogens, however,
limited data exists concerning COVID-19 and influenza co-infection.
Both viruses seem to share transmission characteristics and clinical
manifestations. Asthma, on the other hand, a chronic inflammatory
condition involving the airways seems to be a risk factor for severe
COVID-19 illness. It is important for pulmonologists to be aware of
such potential co-infections in order to be able to early recognize
them and prevent disease progression and death. We report the
case of a patient with severe asthma, receiving biologic treatment,
with a history of a recent travel abroad, who presented co-infection
of influenza A and SARS-COV-2, reviewing as well the literature
concerning the similarities and differences between the two viruses.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None.
FUNDING
The authors declare no funding sources.
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