Comparison of Prevalence of Influenza and COVID-۱۹: A Report From Hormozgan Province-Iran, ۲۰۱۹-۲۰۲۱

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ۲ (SARS-CoV-۲) and influenza viruses produce a wide range of clinical disease severity, which varies from asymptomatic infection to death. The outbreak of coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) in Wuhan, Hubei, China, followed a seasonal influenza pandemic. The prevalence of influenza has changed since the outbreak of COVID-۱۹. In this study, we have compared the prevalence of influenza and COVID-۱۹ since the onset of the pandemic. Clinical symptoms were also assessed among patients.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in a single center on ۲۲۹۴۵۶ patients with the SARS in Hormozgan province, Iran, during ۲۰۱۹-۲۰۲۱ before and after the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Clinical features including age, sex, fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, headache, body aches, and diarrhea were also analyzed.Results: The results indicated that out of a total of ۲۲۹ ۴۵۶ samples of patients, ۷۱۱۴۲ (۳۱.۰۰%) and ۵۲۷ (.۲۲%) cases were diagnosed with positive COVID-۱۹ and positive influenza, respectively. Influenza activity decreased in March ۲۰۲۰ and remained low until September ۲۰۲۱, but it increased to near pre-pandemic seasonal levels since October ۲۰۲۱. The outbreak of influenza decreased by starting the restrictions and health protocols. Furthermore, the analysis of patients’ symptoms indicated that the most prevalent symptoms in influenza patients were fever, cough, and body pain, while the symptoms in COVID-۱۹ patients were cough and headache.Conclusion: Social restrictions and adherence to health protocols could significantly reduce the incidence of seasonal influenza even after controlling the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Influenza and COVID-۱۹ have similar symptoms in patients, so diagnostic tests are necessary for proper diagnosis and management.

کلیدواژه ها:

SARS-CoV-۲ ، Influenza ، COVID-۱۹ ، Prevalence ، Symptoms ، Hormozgan province