Is the coronavirus a flu? Let's get things clear

The Government of Spain is already beginning to speak of a change of strategy in the treatment of the coronavirus pandemic, considering that it is already practically bordering on the endemic. That new deal , dubbed COVID-19 flu , is giving a lot to talk about . On the one hand, it is true that perhaps the method of counting cases could change at this point. But, on the other, are we right to consider COVID-19 as “like the flu” for the umpteenth time?

That was our big mistake at the beginning of the pandemic, consider that we were facing one more flu . That, to begin with, is a trivialization of the flu , which is still a very serious virus. But, in addition, it is a great trivialization of a new pathogen that has shown us to be a tough enemy to fight.

So it is a lie that the disease is now milder ? Can we never compare it to the flu? Not quite. But, as always, we must take the data with caution. Of course we can rejoice at the progress, but always remembering that this is not over.

Is the coronavirus a flu?

The answer short and exact to this question is a huge no. It is neither nor will it be, because are different viruses . The flu is caused by the virus Influenza , A or B, belonging to the family of the orthomyxovirus . COVID-19, on the other hand, is caused by SARS-CoV-2 , which belongs to the family of coronaviruses . Therefore, we are clear that they are not the same virus.

Continuing with this, the influenza virus mainly affects the respiratory tract. In mammals, such as humans, the virus binds to the membrane of the epithelial mucous cells of the nose, throat and lungs . In very serious cases, something known as viremia can occur, so the virus passes into the bloodstream and, from there, travels to other organs. But it is something very exceptional.

In contrast, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has receptors in cells of many systems , in addition to the respiratory. It can affect, for example, the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems. For this reason, it generates a much wider variety of symptoms and, in addition, offers a greater number of possible vulnerable patients. On the other hand, one of the causes of the danger of SARS-CoV-2 is that it can generate a highly exaggerated immune response . That may sound good. More defenses against the virus.

The problem is that this excess of defenses can also attack the body itself, even causing death. All of these are the most serious cases. Many people have it asymptomatic or mild, we have already seen that. But in general it has a higher mortality. Or had it. It is true that now, one of the reasons why in Spain they want to propose to the European Union the change of strategy is that it has gone from 13% to 1% of mortality . That is great news. But does it mean that we have reached the famous endemic?

Still far from the endemic

The omicron variant is milder than any of those we have suffered so far. We’ve read that a million times in the last few weeks. It’s true? In part.

On the one hand, it is undeniable that it is less severe than delta , which is the variant that it was predominant until now in countries like Spain. In fact, although omicron is displacing it, many of the patients are still by delta.

But, at least with the data of those that we have so far, we cannot be sure that it really is lighter than the rest of the variants. What we do know is that the coronavirus vaccines have taken away a lot of severity, as it was announced that it would happen from the first moment.

It does seem that the success of the variant is precisely due to its great contagion capacity since many people are mild or asymptomatic and, therefore, they are related to each other and make it easier for the virus to continue to circulate. But let’s not forget the influence vaccines have had on this happening. From the hospitals, the health workers announce that it seems that omicron affects the highways more. But they also continue to detect numerous pneumonias in unvaccinated, some young people.

It is not always possible to analyze the samples to find out which variant of coronavirus it is about. It could be that many of these pneumonia are due to delta. But that is precisely another reason not to compare the coronavirus with the flu. Delta is still responsible for many cases, and although vaccines make it less serious, it is still a much more severe variant.

On the other hand, to this we must add the great contagion capacity of omicron . The WHO announced yesterday that in a few weeks half the population could have been infected European. That is not normal for a flu, nor is it usual in a case of endemic disease. And if there is a very large number of infections, by probability, the virus will reach more vulnerable people, who in extreme cases may go to the ICU or die. Even vaccinated. This is not new , we already knew, no one lied to us at first.

Furthermore, as we have already seen, a collapse can occur, both in primary care and in hospitals.

Therefore, no, the coronavirus is not a flu. And, as such, it never will be. If it is very possible that it ends up giving rise to a endemic . But that moment does not seem to have come yet. Nor can it be predicted when it will be, because viruses do not follow a set schedule. Hopefully soon, the trend seems to be that, as long as no new worrying variants appear. And, to prevent that from happening, the tool remains the same: vaccinate, vaccinate and vaccinate. Worldwide.

Yes, the time may have come to count cases differently, why not? But not because we are facing the flu, much less a cold. We are facing a unique virus that has been putting us again and again on the ropes for two years. We already know what the weapons are to combat it. Now that he has shown us a somewhat more affable face is the best time to put them all against him. If not, it might still surprise us.