While the world is still reeling from the coronavirus and its variants like Delta and Omicron, Los Angeles diagnosed its first case of "flurona." Medical officials have described "flurona" as the simultaneous infection of COVID-19 and influenza, CNN reports.
A patient exhibited mild symptoms and tested positive for both viruses. The teenage boy vacationed with his family in Cabo San Lucas, and upon arriving back home, he discovered he was the only one in his family that was infected with COVID-19 and the flu. One of his parents did contract COVID-19 as well, according to CBS LA.
With the new announcement of "fluorna," social media had a field day.
Live look at #Corona and #Flurona under a microscope: pic.twitter.com/YFw1kStVBG
— Prentice Penny (aka Charcuterie Papi) (@The_A_Prentice) January 5, 2022
I know I did not just see “flurona”. pic.twitter.com/3po9xZ7AV8
— YUNG KO (@akoboyd) January 6, 2022
Now they saying Covid AND the Flu done linked up to infect somebody at the same time??!! 2022 bout to be a wild ride #Flurona
pic.twitter.com/GudP2hKEil— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) December 31, 2021
Corona and the Flu coming together as one. #flurona
pic.twitter.com/yocUofVE4f— The Good Reverend, Dr. Pastor Dutchie ???????? (@Black_Freeman) January 1, 2022
Flurona?!? IHU variant?!? Dawg we’re never gonna never gonna make it out of here. pic.twitter.com/XlE0Rsz30A
— ty. (@TQKE__) January 5, 2022
Former basketball star Dwyane Wade even chimed in, saying that his 40th birthday plans were altered because of the Omicron variant and "flurona."
My 40th is coming up and I had plans to celebrate it BIG in Miami! But Omicron and Flurona has other plans. Everyone please be safe out here ????????
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 6, 2022
In the first year of the pandemic, flu cases were low because of the government lockdown and the constant wearing of surgical masks.
"I don't think this is going to be a common situation, but that's something to consider," Nadav Davidovitch, Israeli National Advisory Committee member said, CNN reports. "It's interesting that after you have a year with a very, very low or not at all influenza activity, the next year because people were less exposed, it makes them more vulnerable."
Vaccines are available for both viruses, and Davidovitch said that he believes that having both viruses will not result in any "major effect on the individual" for people without underlying conditions, as long as they are updated with their vaccinations and boosters.
The World Health Organization pointed out that both viruses advance through droplets, and while both types of infections result in similar symptoms, immunocompromised people, older adults, and those with chronic conditions should be most concerned.