‘Quad-demic’ of illnesses hitting US as virus season surges
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Eleven pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza were reported this week. The U.S. is on track for a more active virus season this year than in 2024, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows with people at risk of four major illnesses.
![[A child receives an H1N1 nasal flu spray vaccine from a nurse in Miami, Florida]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/09/24/17/GettyImages-91998090.jpg)
Cases of influenza A, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus are “high” or “very high” across large swaths of the country as norovirus cases also levels increase, per the agency. Respiratory syncytial virus usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people and is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S. Preliminary data shows there have been 1.5m to 3.1m outpatient visits for RSV, at least 76,000 hospitalizations and up to 9,500 deaths.
Norovirus causes vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness. Between August 1 and December 11, there were 495 reported cases compared to 363 cases the year prior. For the current season, there have been 34.9 hospitalizations for every 100,000 people. It can be caught from an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or drink.
This means the US is seeing a “quad-demic” of illnesses between December and February when flu activity heightens. The current season started later than usual and has not peaked yet. Flu activity has seen a small dip this week. Symptoms of influenza include body aches, fever, chills, cough, headache, fatigue, sore throat and stuffy nose.
