Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.8K

Short-term risks of influenza and COVID-19 following influenza infection: A self-controlled case series study

Chao Wang1, Yanlin Gao2, Wei Li2

  • 1Institute of Information and Statistics Center, Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Surveillance, Early Warning and Pathogen Research on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|November 18, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Influenza infection may increase COVID-19 risk temporarily but reduce reinfection risk. Public health strategies should consider these viral dynamics during peak seasons.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Inconsistent evidence exists regarding viral interference between influenza and COVID-19.
  • Co-circulation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 necessitates understanding their interaction.
  • Short-term risks of reinfection and secondary infections require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the short-term risks of influenza reinfection after an initial influenza episode.
  • To examine the risk of COVID-19 following an initial influenza infection.
  • To analyze these risks in the context of co-circulating influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Self-controlled case series design utilizing surveillance data from Beijing, China (February 2023 - June 2025).
  • Inclusion criteria: individuals with initial influenza infection followed by influenza reinfection or COVID-19 within 18 months.
  • Analysis of incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

  • Influenza infection transiently increased COVID-19 risk within 6 months (IRR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.39-1.59).
  • Influenza infection significantly reduced the risk of influenza reinfection within 6 months (IRR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.39-0.49).
  • Findings were consistent across demographic subgroups and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza infection may temporarily enhance susceptibility to COVID-19.
  • Influenza infection appears to reduce the risk of subsequent influenza reinfection.
  • Targeted surveillance and preventive measures during influenza seasons are crucial for managing COVID-19 burden.
Keywords:
COVID-19InfluenzaSelf-controlled case series studyShort-term risk

More Related Videos

A Luciferase-fluorescent Reporter Influenza Virus for Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection05:21

A Luciferase-fluorescent Reporter Influenza Virus for Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection

Published on: August 14, 2019

25.9K
A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.2K
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
24.9K
Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
51.2K
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions01:26

Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions

A drug interaction occurs when the concurrent use of another drug, food, or an external substance alters the pharmacological activity of a drug. This interaction can modify the action of the original drug, affecting its effectiveness and safety.Drug–food interactions are significant as they impact drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion. For example, grapefruit juice is a well-known disruptor of drug metabolism. It inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, crucial for the metabolism of...
189
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
5.6K
Controls in Experiments01:13

Controls in Experiments

When conducting an experiment, it is crucial to have control to reduce bias and accurately measure the dependent variables. It also marks the results more reliable. Controls are elements in an experiment that have the same characteristics as the treatment groups but are not affected by the independent variable. By sorting these data into control and experimental conditions, the relationship between the dependent and independent variables can be drawn. A randomized experiment always includes a...
14.7K