OREANDA-NEWS. According to Natalia Pshenichnaya, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, if a person simultaneously becomes infected with COVID-19 and influenza, his health will be much worse, the infection progresses more severely, and the risk of death also increases.

According to the press service of Rospotrebnadzor, citing the deputy director, there are several foreign publications that influenza viruses increase the number of coronavirus receptors on the cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract. In the case of simultaneous infection with these two viruses, the infection is most severe, increasing the risk of death, especially in risk groups.

It is necessary to remind that the risk group for coronavirus includes patients with metabolic disorders, in particular, people with systemic lesions, diabetes mellitus, multiple organ disorders, adrenal diseases and autoimmune diseases.

Natalya Pshenichnaya reminded that there is a real opportunity to protect yourself. To do this, before November 1, before the start of the season of active circulation of influenza viruses, it is necessary to be vaccinated against influenza, since this disease complicates the course of coronavirus infection, and is also especially dangerous for people at risk.