A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications has revealed that contracting influenza not only causes body aches and prolonged fever but also weakens the body's ability to contain tuberculosis (TB), thereby increasing the risk of developing the disease. The research, conducted by scientists from Imperial College London, utilized blood samples from healthy volunteers who were deliberately infected with influenza under controlled conditions. The findings indicated that the flu virus suppresses immune pathways that are essential for controlling the TB bacterium.
Key Findings of the Study
The researchers stated, “Our findings are the first data from human studies for a TB-influenza interaction and confirm that our immune response to one infection influences how we respond to other infections.” This suggests that preventing influenza through vaccination and other public health measures could also reduce TB incidence. The study calls for clinical trials to examine whether seasonal flu vaccination can lower TB risk in vulnerable populations.
Local Medical Perspectives
However, local doctors in India have questioned the practicality of such an approach. A doctor from a public hospital remarked, “A recommendation like this seems pharma-driven and offers no significant public health advantage.” In India, where a flu vaccine costs around Rs 2,000, the feasibility of universal vaccination is debatable. India accounts for nearly 25% of the world’s TB burden and has the highest number of drug-resistant TB cases. Mumbai alone reports approximately 60,000 TB cases annually.
According to the World Health Organisation, influenza affects about a billion people worldwide each year, with roughly 2.9 lakh to 6.5 lakh respiratory-related deaths annually. India is estimated to have millions of flu cases caused by influenza A subtypes such as H3N2 and H1N1 (formerly swine flu) and influenza B.
Expert Opinions
Chest specialist Vikas Oswal, who works with the BMC’s TB programme, noted, “There is no direct correlation between flu and TB, but any infection lowers immunity and increases vulnerability to other infections. In a crowded city like Mumbai, where transmission is easier, influenza could add to the risk, but so could any other infection.”
Dr. Sujeet Rajan of Bhatia Hospital stated that universal flu vaccination to curb TB would not be cost-effective. “It would be overkill. The flu vaccine is best reserved for people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, COPD and diabetes, as well as those over 65,” he said. He added that awareness about the vaccine is growing because people increasingly recognize its role in preventing severe complications.
