It is possible to co-infect Delta and Omicron variants at the same time-Life Health

Infectious diseases doctor Kurt Krause, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago (New Zealand) said it was entirely possible that someone could be infected with two different variants at the same time.

Infectious Disease Doctor Kurt Krause – Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago (New Zealand)

However, this is very rare and occurs only under certain circumstances.

First, the person was exposed to the Omicron variant (BA1 or BA2) and became infected. Then, before their body developed an immune response to the virus, the person was again exposed to the Delta variant. This situation can lead to co-infection, but Dr Krause said it’s very rare for someone to be exposed to two viruses at the same time when they are not immune to both.

“In general, when you have an immune response against a variant of coronavirus, it will prevent infection from another variant, so co-infection only happens by the time you are infected with both variants, you have been exposed to both; and you haven’t developed your immune response yet,” explains Dr. Krause.

Dr Krause said there are currently only a few cases of co-infection COVID-19 recognized, so it is difficult to determine the severity more for the normal person or infected with 1 variant.

Co-infection with COVID-19 variants is rare. However, general double infection among other respiratory viruses is actually very common.

Associate Professor Jo Kirman of the University of Otago (New Zealand), has been involved in the study of respiratory viruses, including RSV, in infants and children in New Zealand for many years. In her research from a few years ago, she said a large number of children had a double or triple infection with respiratory viruses.