Bulgaria reported first cases of simultaneous flu and coronavirus infection in one person

First cases of simultaneous influenza and coronavirus infection were registered in Bulgaria. Out of about 20 people tested with a combined test in Sofia, three tested positive for COVID-19 and influenza, virologist Prof. Radka Argirova told BNT on November 17.

The flu has already come to Bulgaria, says Professor Radka Argirova.

"There are three people from whom I isolated both influenza type A and COVID-19," the professor added.

It is not yet clear how the disease progresses in people with dual influenza-coronavirus infection. The three positive cases were tested voluntarily and were in satisfactory general condition.

"This is a PCR test, nothing is more reliable than it. It is not early for the flu, it is quite normal. It is early for the peak of the flu. The peak of the flu usually comes in late January, early February each year," added Prof. Argirova.

GPs say it is impossible to distinguish coronavirus from another respiratory disease during an examination or consultation over the phone.

"We react to anyone who has symptoms of an acute viral illness, as if they have a coronavirus infection," said Dr. Kostadin Sotirov, a general practitioner.

The only way to prove an infection is a test, but few people are tested.

"One of the reasons is that the test is expensive and people pay for the medication as well," added Dr. Sotirov.

According to virologists, the flu test is recommended. However, there must be a mass study for COVID-19.

"I don't know if we have reached the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic. I think the number of cases will continue to rise. So many people are infected. They will infect other people and the number of cases will increase," said Prof. Radka Argirova.

The National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases did not confirm that there were cases of influenza in the country.