Respiratory diseases on the rise, US concerned about 'quadruple epidemic'

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts an increase in cases of respiratory illnesses such as influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the coming weeks.

Medical staff wearing masks at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma (USA)

The Guardian newspaper on January 5 quoted updated information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saying that the number of acute respiratory cases requiring people to seek medical care is at a high level.

Covid-19 cases are expected to continue to rise in the coming winter weeks. In the two weeks ending December 28, 2024, the positive test rate for Covid-19 increased to 7.1% nationwide.

During the same period, the rate of positive tests for influenza increased from 12% to 18.7%, with influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and influenza A (H3N2) common.

Additionally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positivity rates are considered “very high” in many areas, especially among young children. The CDC added that children account for the highest proportion of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, while hospitalization rates have increased among older adults in some areas.

Despite the high rates of acute respiratory illnesses that lead to health care visits, vaccination rates for these illnesses remain low. According to the CDC, vaccination rates for Covid-19 and influenza are low among both adults and children. Similarly, RSV vaccination rates remain low among adults.

The CDC recommends that people 6 months and older get the flu vaccine and the 2024-2025 Covid-19 vaccine. The agency added that vaccination is especially important for people at risk for severe illness, such as people 65 years and older, people with certain medical conditions, people in nursing homes, and pregnant women.

Concerns about the quartet of illnesses, including seasonal flu, Covid-19, RSV, and norovirus, are growing in the United States as hospitals see an increase in the spread of respiratory viruses, according to The Hill . Norovirus is a highly contagious intestinal virus that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an infected person and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.

In Southern California, most hospitals never ended mask mandates after the Covid-19 pandemic. But they are now being tightened.

Health experts predicted a surge in cases due to the holiday season, with millions of Americans congregating at airports and meeting at family gatherings. Now, further spread is expected as millions return to work and school.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/benh-ho-hap-gia-tang-my-lo-ngai-ve-bo-tu-dich-benh-185250105165109926.htm