Health
Has a ‘quademic’ hit the US? 4 viral infections and what to know about them
Four viruses are circulating in the U.S., sparking concerns of a possible “quademic.”
Influenza, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are all at “very high levels” around the country, according to Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston.
“We are in the middle of a very serious situation with respect to circulating pathogens,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“Based on data from our national wastewater surveillance system, some parts of the country, such as Boston, seem to be entering the peak for all four diseases, but in other areas, cases are still rising,” Scarpino added.
There are vaccines currently available for COVID, flu and RSV, but not for norovirus — although there is an mRNA vaccine in development, one expert pointed out. (iStock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, noted that it is currently peak respiratory virus season.
“It is not a ‘quad-demic,’ per se, just a lot of respiratory viruses and bacteria at once,” he said to Fox News Digital.
On top of the four viruses, Siegel warned of some bacterial outbreaks that can cause respiratory illness, such as mycoplasma, pertussis and strep.
Viruses by the numbers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an 18.8% positivity rate for flu tests for the week ending Jan. 11, stating that “seasonal influenza activity remains elevated across most of the country.”
There were also 11 pediatric deaths related to influenza, bringing the total to 27 deaths this season, the agency stated.
“We are in the middle of a very serious situation with respect to circulating pathogens.”
COVID-19 was at a 6.6% test positivity as of Jan. 11, with 1.3% of emergency room visits resulting in a diagnosis and 1.8% of all deaths linked to the virus, per CDC data.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus, which is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs, nose and throat) has a test positivity of 8.9%.
With the onset of these common seasonal viruses, one doctor said it’s important for patients to have a “great relationship” with a primary care physician. (iStock)
Cases of norovirus, more commonly known as the stomach bug, are also surging.
Between August 1 and Dec. 11, 2024, there were 495 norovirus outbreaks reported in the U.S., compared to 363 in the same time period last year, according to the CDC.
Differentiating between viruses
Kenneth Perry, MD, an emergency physician in South Carolina, said his hospital has recently seen an uptick in emergency department visits tied to these infections.
“From cough to nasal congestion and even fever, it is difficult to differentiate between the discrete viruses,” he told Fox News Digital. “For most people, knowing which virus they have is purely an academic discussion. For some patients, however, the specific virus is very important.”
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The possibility of someone having all four viruses at once is very low, Perry said — “but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility for people to have two or even three at the same time.”
Siegel agreed that with multiple viruses circulating, it can be a challenge for practicing internists and infectious disease specialists to tell the difference.
“It is not a ‘quad-demic,’ per se, just a lot of respiratory viruses and bacteria at once,” Dr. Marc Siegel said to Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Respiratory panels at hospitals, urgent care centers and labs can be helpful to distinguish between them,” he said.
There are combined rapid tests available that simultaneously screen for two types of influenza and COVID, Scarpino pointed out.
Potential risk factors
“Of the four viruses in widespread circulation, all post a unique risk of severe illness in the elderly,” Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, told Fox News Digital.
RSV poses unique risks for infants, experts agree.
“Of the four viruses in widespread circulation, all post a unique risk of severe illness in the elderly.”
“For young infants, breathing through their nose is imperative in order to eat, and RSV can cause severe amounts of nasal congestion,” Perry warned. This congestion can disrupt babies’ ability to consume enough calories, he added.
For norovirus, dehydration can become a “major problem,” according to Perry.
“Again, young infants who cannot have water or sports drinks to help maintain hydration can be most susceptible.”
There are combined rapid tests available that simultaneously screen for two types of influenza and COVID. (iStock)
Long COVID is a “significant concern” for most adults, according to Glanville, “as the chronic disorder is yet to be fully understood and effective treatments have yet to be developed.”
Scarpino noted that influenza has historically been a leading cause of death in the U.S.
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“Despite us being more used to worrying about COVID these days, it’s important to take the flu very seriously,” he added.
People with underlying risk factors are at a higher risk of severe illness for all four viruses, Scarpino added.
Prevention and treatment
To prevent these four circulating viruses, Glanville recommends getting vaccinated when available, avoiding contact with those who are infected, and following proper sanitation practices.
“The best thing you can do to keep from getting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” Perry advised. “Washing hands especially after touching public surfaces is going to be the best way to keep from getting any of these viruses.”
“The best thing you can do to keep from getting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” an emergency room physician advised. (iStock)
There are vaccines currently available for COVID, flu and RSV, but not for norovirus — although there is an mRNA vaccine in development, Scarpino pointed out.
“Even in places where cases have started falling, we’re far from being out of the woods, so there’s still time to get vaccinated,” he said.
For those who contract any of the viruses, Siegel recommends focusing on hydration, getting plenty of rest and carefully monitoring symptoms.
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People who are sick should stay home, avoid interacting directly with others and wear masks in close quarters, the doctor advised.
Perry pointed out that flu and COVID are “cyclical” in their level of severity.
“The best thing you can do to keep from getting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean.”
“There are years when the flu virus is very mild, and others when it is more virulent,” he told Fox News Digital. “The same goes for COVID, as we saw with the different variants that were present throughout the pandemic.”
With the onset of these common seasonal viruses, Perry said it’s important for patients to have a “great relationship” with a primary care physician.
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“This way, their risk category is well-known to their doctor and they can easily get the correct care for their health, even if they get one of these viruses.”
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Health
Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state
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Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.
This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.
The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.
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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.
A cyclospora infection often causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. (iStock)
Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.
Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.
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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.
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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.
The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.
Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. (iStock)
Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.
The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.
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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.
The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before eating, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted. (iStock)
Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.
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Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.
Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report.
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Washington, DC – GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.
“I’m a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly,” he said. “They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They’re not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics.”
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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.
Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured in Washington, D.C., at the Great American State Fair, where he spoke about federal health policy. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
“We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they’ll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they’re] going to make you healthy enough that you don’t have to consume health services,” Oz said.
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“We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision.”
Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.
The doctor expressed support for broadening affordable access to GLP-1 medications for Americans. (iStock)
“There are a lot of overweight people who don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don’t get access to the drug normally,” he said. “We want them to have the ability to use it as well.”
Although these access shifts could boost Americans’ overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to these medications.
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“I love the fact that the innovation that’s coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better,” he said. “But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future.”
“These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don’t need a doctor to be emphasizing.”
Medicating appropriately, combined with eating right, exercising and staying connected with others, can help make health goals attainable, the doctor said. (iStock)
While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices “makes a lot of sense,” Oz said.
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“I don’t want people being fat-shamed … I don’t want you feeling guilty that you’re gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out,” he said. “It’s not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives.”
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“But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It’s the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA.”
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