Air pollution is a major threat to public health, and the effects of pollution are perceived in all countries of the world, by all social categories, regardless of age. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a growing prevalence worldwide and an increasing number of risk factors that exacerbate symptoms and accelerate disease progression. Exposure to air pollution is one of the less studied and less investigated risk factors for COPD. Depending on the size and chemical nature of the pollutant, it can overcome the defence mechanism of the respiratory system and enter the lung tissues, thus causing some respiratory diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that six major air pollutants have been identified, namely particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead. The severe impact of PM exposure is demonstrated by the link between exposure to high concentrations of PM and certain severe diseases such as silicosis, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and COPD. In Iași County, Romania, air quality measurements are performed by six automatic air quality monitoring stations, and the data obtained are used to create annual reports and these are also available online. Due to the high concentrations of air pollutants, the city of Iași is one of the three topmost polluted cities in Romania. A future assessment on the impact of air pollution on the health of the inhabitants of these cities and the implementation of new methods to improve air quality is needed.

Considering the increased prevalence of influenza infections in the cold season and the pandemic evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the medical staffs are facing potential viral co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus. Both viruses belong to the category of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, having common structural features, causing a similar immune response, with a related mode of transmission and with both respiratory and general symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses cause contagious infections and the protective measures against them are the same: wearing masks in crowded spaces, proper hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places. Co-infections with influenza A and B viruses and SARS-CoV-2 virus involve additional precautions regarding the therapeutic and evolution approach. Studies show that patients who have been vaccinated against influenza have developed milder forms of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. In elderly patients, increased influenza vaccination coverage has shown to be associated with a decrease in mortality rate and also reduced the heavy impact of double infection. The Influenza vaccine can trigger early immune mechanisms in order to facilitate early detection of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its clearance. Influenza vaccination should now be seen, more than ever, as a strategy to combat the growing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially in vulnerable populations (elderly and people with associated comorbidities).

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