Two epidemics, one patient: coinfection by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in Colombia

TL;DR

This paper reports a case of a patient in Colombia infected with both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, highlighting the challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Contribution

The paper contributes a clinical case report of 'Flurona' coinfection in Colombia, emphasizing the need for early suspicion and multidisciplinary care.

Findings

Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

A multidisciplinary approach is essential for managing patients with complex comorbidities and coinfections.

Early recognition of coinfection can lead to targeted interventions and improved outcomes.

Abstract

Coinfection by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza (commonly referred to as "Flurona") presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in pandemic and postpandemic settings. Although the two viruses share clinical similarities and transmission routes, their treatments differ substantially. The early suspicion of viral coinfection is crucial, particularly in patients with comorbidities or atypical clinical courses. A literature review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (Spanish and English), identifying few documented clinical reports in Colombia.

We report the case of an 83-year-old male patient with a significant cardiovascular history, admitted to the intensive care unit for congestive heart failure and severe aortic valve disease. During hospitalization, the patient developed respiratory failure, and coinfection with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed Treatment included oseltamivir, oxygen therapy, and therapeutic thoracentesis. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was indicated, but the patient died during the procedure.

Coinfection by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute respiratory distress, particularly in contexts of concurrent viral circulation. Prompt recognition enables targeted therapeutic intervention. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimize the prognosis in patients with complex comorbidities.

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