Has a ‘quademia’ hit the United States? 4 viral infections and what to know about them

Four viruses are circulating in the United States, raising concerns about a possible “quademia.”

Influenza, COVID-19RSV and norovirus are found at “very high levels” across 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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“According to data from our national wastewater surveillance system, some parts of the country, like Boston, appear to be entering the peak of all four diseases, but in other areas cases continue to increase,” Scarpino added.

Vaccines are currently available for COVID, flu and RSV, but not for norovirus, although an mRNA vaccine is in development, one expert said. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegelclinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and senior medical analyst for Fox News, noted that it is currently peak respiratory virus season.

“It’s not a ‘quadraemia’ per se, but a bunch of respiratory viruses and bacteria at once,” he told Fox News Digital.

In addition to the four viruses, Siegel warned about some bacterial outbreaks which can cause respiratory diseases, such as mycoplasma, whooping cough, and streptococcus.

Viruses in numbers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an 18.8% positivity rate for flu tests for the week ending January 11, stating that “seasonal flu “Activity remains high in most parts of the country.”

There were also 11 flu-related pediatric deaths, 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 test positivity was 6.6% as of January 11, with 1.3% of emergency room visits resulting in a diagnosis and 1.8% of all related deaths with the virus, according to CDC data.

RSV (Respiratory syncytial viruswhich is a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs, nose and throat) has a test positivity of 8.9%.

With the emergence of these common seasonal viruses, one doctor said it’s important for patients to have a “great relationship” with a primary care doctor. (iStock)

Cases of norovirus, more commonly known as stomach virusThey are also increasing.

Between August 1 and December 11, 2024, 495 norovirus outbreaks were reported in the US, compared to 363 in the same period last year, according to the CDC.

Differentiate between viruses

Kenneth Perry, MD, an emergency room physician in South Carolina, said his hospital has recently seen an increase in emergency department visits related to these infections.

“From coughs to nasal congestion and even fever, it’s difficult to differentiate between different viruses,” he told Fox News Digital. “For most people, knowing what virus they have is purely an academic discussion. For some patients, however, the specific virus is very important.”

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The chance of someone having all four viruses at once is very low, Perry said, “but it’s not completely out of the question 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 internists and infectious disease specialists to notice the difference.

“It’s not a ‘quadraemia’ per se, but rather a bunch of respiratory viruses and bacteria at once,” Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“Respiratory panels in hospitals, urgent care centers and laboratories can be helpful in distinguishing between them,” he said.

Rapid combination tests are available that simultaneously detect two types of influenza and COVID, Scarpino noted.

Possible risk factors

“Of the four viruses in widespread circulation, all present a unique risk of severe illness. in the elderly“Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, told Fox News Digital.

Experts agree that RSV poses unique risks to babies.

“Of the four viruses in widespread circulation, all pose a unique risk of severe disease in the elderly.”

“For young babies, breathing through the nose is imperative to eating, and RSV can cause serious nasal congestion,” Perry warned. This congestion can alter the ability of babies consume enough calories, he added.

For norovirus, dehydration can become a “major problem,” according to Perry.

“Again, young babies who cannot drink water or sports drinks to help maintain hydration may be the most susceptible.”

Rapid combination tests are available that simultaneously detect two types of influenza and COVID. (iStock)

Long COVID is a “major concern” for most adults, according to Glanville, “as the chronic disorder is not yet fully understood and effective treatments have not yet been developed.”

Scarpino noted that influenza has historically been a leading cause of death in the US.

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“Even though we’re 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 higher risk of severe illness from 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 health practices.

“The best thing you can do to avoid contracting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” Perry advised. “Washing your hands, especially after touching public surfaces, will be the best way to avoid contracting any of these viruses.”

“The best thing you can do to avoid contracting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” one emergency room doctor advised. (iStock)

There are currently vaccines available for COVID, flu, and RSV, but not for norovirus, although an mRNA vaccine exists. in developmentScarpino noted.

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“Even in places where cases have started to decline, we are far from out of the woods, so there is still time to get vaccinated,” he said.

For those who contract either virus, Siegel recommends focusing on hydration, getting enough rest, and carefully monitoring symptoms.

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Sick people should stay home, avoid interacting directly with other people and wear masks in confined spaces, the doctor recommended.

Perry noted that flu and COVID They are “cyclical” in their level of severity.

“The best thing you can do to avoid contracting any of these viruses is to keep your hands clean.”

“There are years in which the flu virus is very mild and others in which it is more virulent,” he told Fox News Digital. “The same thing happens with COVID, as we saw with the different variants that were present throughout the pandemic.”

With the emergence of these common seasonal viruses, Perry said it is important for patients to have a “great relationship” with a primary care doctor.

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“This way, your doctor knows your risk category well and can easily get the right care for you.” your healtheven if they get one of these viruses.”