Recent insights from the Centers for Disease Control show spikes of norovirus, Covid-19 and RSV across the United States, a resurgence that’s potentially different from the same annual winter spread of those diseases, which have been less active in recent months.
Norovirus is a contagious virus that typically presents as projectile vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting contaminated food or drink, interacting with contaminated surfaces or interacting with a sick individual, and it is the most common foodborne virus.
Reported norovirus cases spiked in late November and grew by nearly 31% percent increase to 91 reported outbreaks nationally in the first week of December—the highest level of the year and a near three-year high; from 2021 to 2024, the largest number of reported outbreaks at the start of December was 41 cases, although just 14 states report norovirus outbreaks to the CDC.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that manifests itself with flu-like symptoms, but can be especially deadly for young children and the elderly; It’s been known to be active in wastewater testing lately, but it’s increasingly the cause of emergency room visits across the country, more so than the flu or Covid-19, the CDC reports.
The CDC estimated that there have been more than 29,000 RSV hospitalizations and more than 1,300 deaths since October 1 nationwide; RSV was estimated to have seen more hospitalizations in December than last month, with wastewater taking the top spot in Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Currently, Covid-19 has fewer emergency room visits than other respiratory viruses, but it has been easily found in sewage, with the CDC rating its activity above that of the flu or RSV, after which it began to multiply in December, in component due to a new virus. A contagious variant that spreads, called XEC.
This is an unforeseen update from the recent Covid-19 respite in October and November, specifically in the Midwest, where there are about twice as many infections as in the rest of the United States, and is an update on the trend beyond. of spread of Covid-19. the lowest point towards the end of December.
Those who spend more time in crowded indoor environments are more likely to get inflamed, and it’s not unusual to contract such ailments on cruise ships or in classrooms. Respiratory viruses occasionally spread through the air. Norovirus can be transmitted by touching inflamed objects. objects. Those who travel on vacation or spend time with family should wash their hands more and avoid contact with people with health problems. The CDC also recommends vaccinations ahead of time to lessen the severity of respiratory illnesses and viruses.
Michael Hoerger, a researcher at Tulane University School of Medicine, described the rise in infections in a paper as a “silent surge” that “came out of nowhere” in December after low levels with the increase in three years. This new wave, the tenth so far, has not reached the same degrees of infection as previous waves. Hoerger added, mentioning his predictive model based on CDC data, that there is a 23% chance of contracting the virus in an organization of 10 other people. This is partly due to the immediate spread of a new variant of the virus, called XEC, which may make it less difficult for other people to get sick.
XEC has the dominant strain of Covid-19 that spreads in the United States, according to Yale Medicine. The variant originated in Germany and first appeared in June 2024. It is a recombinant strain or a combination of two larger subvariants. It is most likely an opposing shield to XEC, according to Yale Medicine.
These illnesses are reported yearly when they spread in winter and fall months and are some of the most common viruses. Other common winter illnesses include the flu and whooping cough. More than 2,500 cases of norovirus are reported each year, and more than 2 million outpatient doctor visits are made annually because of RSV. However, spiking infections mean a heightened risk of infection. RSV has become more prevalent in recent years, especially among older adults and young children. Donald DeCoy, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said in an interview that a decrease in Covid-19 precautions after the pandemic might be one reason for this, as well as the fact the U.S. population of older adults is larger than ever. The Washington Post reported the near-record spike in norovirus could be because the pandemic kept more individuals indoors, causing fewer infections and less overall immunity.
These diseases affect older adults, other people with underlying illnesses or weakened immune systems, and especially young children.
RSV can cause lung infections that can be fatal and potentially worsen pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart failure. Symptoms of norovirus can lead to dehydration, which can be deadly. Treatment for Covid-19 has advanced and reduced the threat of death, but it still cannot cause severe symptoms that can persist and lead to infections. However, it accounts for 1. 1% of all deaths in the United States as of December 21, 2024. Older people and those with other illnesses are also more likely to become more seriously ill or die from Covid-19.
People infected with RSV decline in health in about four to six days, and symptoms can last more than a week. Covid-19 symptoms can appear after two days or two weeks of infection and can last more than a month in cases of excessive infections. Norovirus is quicker, with symptoms appearing about a day after infection, and some may feel better after two days.
There is no treatment for norovirus, and in case of poor health, people are asked to stay hydrated and eat certain foods once symptoms begin to subside. For those suffering from RSV-like symptoms, rest and hydration are regularly the only recommended remedy, although medical attention is recommended for those who have difficulty breathing. For Covid-19 symptoms, tests and medications are necessary to alleviate side effects, but they should be taken soon after infection.
A community. Many voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our network aims to connect others through open and thoughtful conversations. We need our readers to share their perspectives and exchange concepts and facts in one space.
To do this, please adhere to the posting regulations in our site’s terms of use. Below, we summarize some of those key regulations. Simply put, civilized.
Your message will be rejected if we notice that it appears to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:
So how can you be a user?
Thank you for reading our Community Guidelines. Please read the full list of posting regulations discovered in our site’s Terms of Use.