Four types of viruses are circulating in the United States, raising concerns about the possibility of a “big four pandemic.”
Influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and norovirus are all at “very high levels” nationally, said Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston. It is said that there is.
“We’re in the midst of a very serious situation in terms of pathogen circulation,” he told Fox News Digital.
Doctors say people over 50 should get these five vaccines.
“Data from the national wastewater surveillance system shows that all four diseases appear to be peaking in some areas of the country, such as Boston, while cases are still rising in other areas,” Scarpino said. he added.
Currently, there are vaccines available for the novel coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, but not for norovirus. However, one expert noted that mRNA vaccines are under development. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Mark Siegel, professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Health and senior medical analyst for Fox News, noted that this is peak season for respiratory viruses.
“It’s not a ‘big four epidemic’ per se, it’s just a large outbreak of respiratory viruses and bacteria all at once,” he told Fox News Digital.
In addition to the four viruses, Siegel warned of outbreaks of several bacteria that can cause respiratory illnesses, including mycoplasma, whooping cough, and streptococcus.
Virus in numbers
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the flu test positivity rate for the week ending January 11 was 18.8%, stating that “Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated in most regions of the country. ” he said.
There were also 11 influenza-related pediatric deaths, bringing the total to 27 this season, the agency announced.
“We’re in the middle of a very serious situation with circulating pathogens.”
As of Jan. 11, the test positivity rate for COVID-19 was 6.6%, accounting for 1.3% of emergency department visits resulting in a diagnosis and 1.8% of all virus-related deaths, according to CDC data. .
The test positivity rate for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs, nose, and throat) is 8.9%.
With the onset of these common seasonal viruses, one doctor said it was important for patients to have a “great relationship” with their GP. (St. Petersburg)
The number of people infected with norovirus, commonly known as the stomach bug, is also rapidly increasing.
According to the CDC, there were 495 cases of norovirus reported in the United States between August 1 and December 11, 2024, compared to 363 during the same period last year.
Differentiation of viruses
Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency physician in South Carolina, said his hospital has recently seen an increase in emergency department visits related to these infections.
“It’s hard to differentiate between individual viruses, from coughs to stuffy noses to even fevers,” he told Fox News Digital. “For most people, knowing which virus they have is a purely academic discussion. But for some patients, certain viruses are very important.”
The number of norovirus (gastroenteritis) infections is rapidly increasing in the United States.
It’s very unlikely that someone will be infected with all four viruses at the same time, “but that doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of getting two or three viruses at the same time,” Perry said.
Siegel agreed that with multiple viruses circulating, it can be difficult for internists and infectious disease specialists to tell the difference.
“It’s not a ‘big four’ per se, it’s just a bunch of respiratory viruses and bacteria all at once,” Dr. Mark Siegel told Fox News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
“Respiratory panels in hospitals, emergency centers and laboratories could help differentiate between these,” he said.
Scarpino noted that combined rapid tests are available that can screen for two types of influenza and the coronavirus at the same time.
Potential risk factors
“Of the four widely circulating viruses, each poses a unique risk of causing severe illness in older adults,” said Dr. Jacob Granville, CEO of San Francisco biotech company Sentivax. he told Fox News Digital.
Experts agree that RSV poses a unique risk to infants.
“Of the four widely circulating viruses, all pose a unique risk of severe illness in older adults.”
“For young children, nasal breathing is essential for feeding, and RSV can cause severe nasal congestion,” Dr. Perry warned. This crowding can interfere with a baby’s ability to get enough calories, she added.
Dehydration can be a “big problem” with norovirus, Perry said.
“Again, young children who cannot access water or sports drinks to stay hydrated are most susceptible.”
Combined rapid tests are available that screen for two types of influenza and the coronavirus at the same time. (St. Petersburg)
Glanville said prolonged COVID-19 remains a “significant concern” for most adults because “chronic diseases are not yet well understood and effective treatments have not yet been developed.” ”.
Scarpino noted that influenza has historically been the leading cause of death in the United States.
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“We’re all used to worrying about coronavirus these days, but it’s important to take influenza seriously,” he added.
Scarpino added that people with underlying risk factors are at higher risk of developing severe disease from all four viruses.
Prevention and treatment
To prevent these four prevalent viruses, Granville recommends getting vaccinated when available, avoiding contact with infected people, and following good hygiene practices.
“The best thing you can do to avoid getting infected with these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” Perry advised. “Washing your hands, especially after touching public objects, is the best way to prevent the spread of these viruses.”
“The best thing you can do to avoid contracting these viruses is to keep your hands clean,” the emergency room doctor advised. (St. Petersburg)
Currently, there are vaccines available for the novel coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, but not for norovirus. However, Scarpino noted that mRNA vaccines are in development.
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“Even in areas where cases are starting to decline, we are not out of the woods and there is still time to get vaccinated,” he said.
Siegel recommends that people infected with either virus focus on staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, and monitoring symptoms closely.
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Doctors advised that people who are sick should stay home, avoid direct contact with others and wear masks in crowded places.
Perry noted that the severity of influenza and coronavirus is “cyclical.”
“The best thing you can do to avoid contracting these viruses is to keep your hands clean.”
“Some years the influenza virus is very mild, and other years it’s more virulent,” he told Fox News Digital. “The same is true for the new coronavirus, as we have seen with the various variants that have existed during the pandemic.”
With the onset of these common seasonal viruses, Perry said it’s important for patients to have a “great relationship” with their primary care physician.
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“This way, their risk category will be better known to their doctors and they will be able to easily receive appropriate care for their health even if they become infected with these viruses.”
