Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Public health officials are warning that the U.S. could be facing a "quademic" — the convergence of four miserable viruses that can make people sick circulating at the same time.
In the UK, they're calling it the "Four Soar." But whatever you call it, it's bad news.
Influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and norovirus are all making folks miserable at the moment, so it's especially important that everyone take precautions and practice good illness etiquette to avoid catching or handing out one or a combination of the circulating bugs.
Three of them are respiratory. Norovirus instead causes gastrointestinal misery. So there's potential to be all-over miserable, as all are "circulating in full force this winter all over the U.S.," as the Boston Globe puts it.
Norovirus is especially nasty. Per the article, "Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. And joy of joys, you can have flu-like symptoms as well: headache, fever, body aches." Norovirus is circulating at double the rate of last-season's peak, thanks to a new strain we haven't experienced before in the U.S., which means we're not immune from previous exposures.
The misery of norovirus
Fortunately, there are steps that people can take, which combined with a little luck will help people avoid getting sick.
Norovirus is very contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it spreads quickly, too. You can get it directly from those who are ill and through contaminated food, water or surfaces. The CDC says you're most contagious when you feel sick and also for a few days after you feel better. It could spread for up to two weeks after you think you're well.
People shed billions of norovirus particles when they're ill and right after, then others touch those super-tiny particles of feces or vomit, inhale them or ingest them. And food can be placed on a contaminated surface, watered with contaminated water, etc.
You can avoid it by washing your hands often with soap and water, not touching your mouth, cleaning fruits and vegetables completely, cooking meat and seafood thoroughly and frequently washing clothes and bedding.
If you do get sick, you'll just have to ride it out. But be careful about dehydration, which can be life-threatening, per the CDC. And stay away from others, to spare them the misery.
Respiratory trifecta
The respiratory trio — COVID, flu and RSV — are no picnic either, especially for those who are older, younger or immune-compromised.
Without testing, it can be hard to tell them apart, as symptoms may be similar: headache, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and, often, body aches. Unlike norovirus, those three do have vaccines, so prevention is possible, as long as what's circulating matches the formulation of the vaccine. And folks may have some natural immunity from previous exposures.
The CDC says this flu season has already sickened more than 9 million people, including 110,000 hospitalizations and 4,700 deaths. In 16 cases, young children died. A surveillance map shows that Utah has moderate flu activity, and Wyoming's is low. But the state is otherwise surrounded by high and very high flu activity. Only Montana and West Virginia currently have low flu activity nationwide.
Antivirals may help folks who are at risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19, a group that also includes pregnant women. They are not a help for RSV. To avoid spreading it, isolate from others, wash your hands a lot, don't sneeze or cough around people (use your elbow to catch droplets). Masks provide protection, too, for you and others.
Young children with RSV often wheeze and phlegm builds up, the CDC said. The smaller airways of the lung become irritated. Young children and those over 75 are the most likely to require hospitalization.
In some parts of the country, hospitals are limiting visitors due to the high viral activity in communities.
On top of that, it's cold season, too.
