Respiratory Pathogen Coinfection During COVID-19 and Influenza Epidemics
Author Information
Author(s): Jiang Lina, Jin Yifei, Li Jingjing, Zhang Rongqiu, Zhang Yidun, Cheng Hongliang, Lu Bing, Zheng Jing, Li Li, Wang Zhongyi
Primary Institution: Xiamen Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
What is the incidence of respiratory pathogen coinfections during the intersecting COVID-19 and influenza epidemics?
Conclusion
The study found a higher rate of respiratory pathogen coinfections during the COVID-19 and influenza epidemics, particularly in children under 18 years of age.
Supporting Evidence
- 74.68% of patients tested positive for COVID-19.
- 12.99% of patients were diagnosed with influenza.
- Only 0.65% of patients were coinfected with both COVID-19 and influenza.
- 26.95% of COVID-19 patients were coinfected with other respiratory pathogens.
- 17.5% of influenza patients were coinfected with other respiratory pathogens.
Takeaway
This study looked at sick people to see if they had COVID-19 and other germs at the same time, especially during flu season. They found that kids get sick with more germs than adults.
Methodology
Throat swab samples were collected from 308 patients with fever and tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 26 other respiratory pathogens.
Limitations
The study is limited by its focus on a single city, which may not represent broader trends, and the inability to determine the order of multiple infections.
Participant Demographics
Participants included patients with fever from outpatient and emergency departments, with a notable prevalence of coinfections in children under 18 years of age.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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