Is it possible to have dengue and flu at the same time? Understand

A dengue and the the flu have symptoms in common, such as fever, headache, malaise and weakness. This can often cause infections to be confused. But will Is it possible to contract both diseases at the same time? ?

According to Alberto Chebabo, infectious disease doctor and President of the SBI (Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases), Is it possible to have dengue and flu at the same time? . “We have already seen cases of dengue with flu, covid-19 with dengue, and flu with Covid-19”, says the specialist to CNN .

This table is called “co-infection ” and is quite common in scenarios where there is greater circulation of different viruses, as is happening now with the arrival of autumn and winter (which increases the circulation of influenza, which causes the flu) and with the current dengue epidemic.

According to the expert, co-infection can be dangerous , as it increases the risk of health complications for the patient and makes diagnosis difficult. “Often, it is not possible to make the diagnosis clinically, only through exams and tests. With them, it is possible to determine which agents are causing the infectious condition and, sometimes, we can be surprised by the detection of two agents, such as the dengue virus and influenza”, he states.

How is treatment carried out in these cases?

By identifying a co-infection, through tests for dengue and flu, it is possible to determine the correct treatment for the diseases. The most important thing, according to the infectious disease specialist, is to increase hydration and maintain rest as these measures do not pose a risk of worsening dengue fever.

“Especially in the case of dengue fever, there is a greater risk of developing shock due to low hydration. So, the recommendation is to hydrate this patient adequately and, if there is a respiratory disease, treat that disease as well,” he says.

It is worth remembering that some medicines used to alleviate symptoms such as fever, body pain and headache are not recommended for the treatment of dengue , as they can increase the risk of bleeding. This is the case of:

• salicitas : aspirin, AAS;
• Acetylsalicylic acid : diflunisal, sodium salicylate and methylsalicylate;
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs : ibuprofen, nimesulind, indomethacin, diclofenac, piroxicam, naproxen, sulfinpyrazone, phenylbutazone and sulindac;
• Corticosteroids : prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone.

The most recommended medications to alleviate dengue symptoms — and flu when there is co-infection or suspicion of dengue — are paracetamol and the dipyrone .

How to differentiate dengue from the flu?

Dengue fever and the flu may have some symptoms in common, but in general, manifest themselves in different ways in the body . Dengue, for example, is a febrile infection and does not cause respiratory symptoms, as the flu does.

“Dengue causes high fever, body pain, headache, but does not normally cause symptoms such as sore throat, cough and runny nose. The latter are the most common symptoms of the flu, so this is a way to differentiate”, explains Chebabo.

Check out the main symptoms of each disease below, according to the Ministry of Health:

Dengue

• High fever;
• Pain in the body and joints;
• Pain behind the eyes;
• Malaise;
• Headache;
• Red spots on the body.

The flu

• Fever;
• Runny nose;
• Sore throat;
• Cough;
• Body ache;
• Headache;
• Joint pain;
• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• Fatigue;
• Prostration;
• Hoarseness;
• Red, watery eyes.