A Man in Italy was found infected with Covid-19, Monkeypox and HIV at the same time, Here’s What Doctors Say

With global concerns about the spread of co-infections heightened, the young man in Italy with Covid-19, monkeypox and HIV was diagnosed.

Experts say the Italian man’s case is unique because he developed all the symptoms of three diseases and admitted to unprotected sexual intercourse during a trip abroad.

An Italian man turns up with co-infections (Covid-19, Monkeypox, and HIV)

“This case highlights how monkeypox and Covid-19 symptoms may overlap,” notes the Journal of Infection which released this report. It also supports how in the case of co-infection, anamnestic collection and sexual habits are crucial to perform the correct diagnosis.

While the man’s case is the first of its kind in the world; two of three diseases have been declared “endemic and pandemic,” showing that these viruses are all pervasive across the world.

In India, some people are still getting monkeypox, swine flu is on the rise, and Covid-19 is quite prevalent this year.

Low immunity is a prime reason for high risk and infections

No matter what your age, you can become co-infected with multiple types of bacteria and viruses. The severity of the disease will depend on how much the patient’s immune system is already weakened.

“Any age group who has other serious health issues, such as heart or lung conditions; weakened immune systems; or obesity, diabetes can get co-infected”, Dr Shahzad Mirza, associate professor at Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, Pune.

Dr Mirza observes that coinfection only occurs in certain conditions, such as immunosuppression or patient admitted to an intensive care unit or those with co-morbidities.

According to Dr. Sheela Murali Chakravarthy, the director of internal medicine at Fortis Hospital in Bangalore, a person is likely to get co-infection when he or she has one infection and spends a longer period of time in hospitals.

“The chances of co-infection happen most when patients are overcrowded, in an emergency room, or the intensive care unit. Patients who came into contact with each other are also at a high risk.” Dr. Murali told Business Insider India.

The risk of co-infections and possible treatment

If a person has more than one infection at the same time, they risk weakening their immunity due to the mixed infections.

“Having multiple co-infections can actually increase the risk of death because more complications may arise,” Dr Laxman Jessani, infectious disease specialist at Apollo Hospitals in Navi Mumbai said.

However, an individual who has a number of infections may not necessarily be cured. But they should also be much more careful.

Dr. Bhalla, a doctor at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Faridabad, said, “Double infections doesn’t mean that the chances of reinfection is negligible. It only means that you can get it if you follow the appropriate treatment plan.”

Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, a doctor at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi says that people with coinfections are more likely to not recover but experienced doctors can also treat them and make them healthy again. The severity of different diseases or infections plays a big role in whether or not they will recover.

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