8/14/2023 0 Comments Antigenic shift covid 19Among them, SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus it is enveloped with spike (S) protein and hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) protein on the surface. Seven human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been identified so far that cause disease in humans, namely HCOV-NL63, HCOV-HKU1, HCOV-OC43, HCOV-229E, SARS-COV, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and novel Coronavirus (2019-nCOV) ( 5). The characteristics of both diseases, along with the differences between them, are outlined, as well ( 4).Ģ. In this article, we attempt to define the similarities and differences between them and describe an algorithmic approach for the management of patients presenting with symptoms compatible with either of these infections. Both diseases have similar modes of transmission that need similar public health guidelines for transmission prevention but require different treatment strategies. Influenza and COVID-19 overlap clinical manifestations, and both cause respiratory illness, which may vary from mildly symptomatic to life-threatening, resulting in severe respiratory compromise and death. The differential diagnosis of patients presenting with the symptoms of respiratory infection will include influenza, COVID-19, or co-infection. ![]() This may have been due to the compliance with health protocols, including physical distancing, masking, and handwashing to reduce the rate of infection ( 3).ĭuring the cold season, both influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 will co-circulate in the general population. In the Northern hemisphere, we now see a very low prevalence of influenza compared to the same time in the last year. Fortunately, the Southern hemisphere spent the cold season with the influenza (flu) outbreak severely reduced. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not a type of influenza virus, but it may be hard to tell the difference between influenza and COVID-19 based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis ( 1, 2). However, as COVID-19 has been recognized as a pandemic since December 2019, the management of this emerging disease is rapidly evolving as new information is collected from different parts of the world.ĬOVID-19 Influenza Algorithm Pandemic 1. ![]() Then, we will have a brief discussion on how to manage patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of both diseases. Will there be a devastating combined epidemic of COVID-19 and influenza (COV-Flu) during the 2020 - 2021 season? Does co-infection increase the risk of severe illness or amplify virus shedding? Actually, we do not yet know the answers to these questions so, in this article, first, we attempt to define the similarities and differences between COV-Flu.
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