“These are two different types of influenza viruses. The ‘swine’ strain is type A, it mutates more often and therefore we are less adapted to it. Therefore, it is believed that ‘swine’ flu it is more severe on average in the population compared to influenza B”, – explained Svetlana Mashkova.
At the same time, the severity of the course when infected with one or another variant of influenza in a particular person depends on his individual characteristics – from age to the presence or absence of chronic diseases and the state of the immune system. As for the probability of having had the “swine” flu, still getting infected with the type B virus and getting sick twice in one season, Dr. Mashkova confirmed that this is quite possible.
“After swine flu, you can get influenza B, and vice versa, after B – swine flu. But the severity of the disease the second time will be less,” said Svetlana Mashkova. “Because the antigenic structure of the viruses of both types is very common and, consequently, the neutralizing antibodies that formed in the body after the first illness will provide protection in case of reinfection with another strain. But the reinfection itself It’s very likely, so we need to continue to be careful, observing preventative measures.”
