"Quad-demic" of illness
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The spread of the flu, COVID and RSV is "high" in Texas, mirroring levels across much of the U.S. at the same time norovirus cases are well above normal levels, CDC and wastewater surveillance data show.
Why it matters: The result is a "quad-demic" of illness hitting simultaneously in what's shaping up to be a more active virus season than last year.
Threat level: Texas recorded the third-highest levels of flu in the country as of last week, according to the Walgreens Flu Index, which uses prescription data for antiviral medications to track cases.
- Houston had the 10th-highest levels of flu in the country according to the flu index.
The big picture: The simultaneous threats are straining some hospitals to capacity and leading administrators to recommend masking among staff, ABC News reports.
Zoom in: Norovirus, also referred to as a "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug," can cause vomiting, diarrhea and food-borne illness, according to the CDC.
What they're saying: "A person can get a norovirus infection at any time throughout the year, but its epidemic peaks are in the winter," Robert Atmar, infectious diseases physician and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said in a statement.
- "It affects people of all ages. We aren't sure why infection rates are higher this year than in years past, but it probably has to do with the circulating strains and the lack of immunity in the population."
Pro tip: To prevent norovirus, Atmar says to wash your hands with soap and water for about 15 seconds, especially after touching surfaces and using the bathroom.
- Use a 10% bleach solution on affected surfaces when cleaning up vomit or diarrhea. And to treat norovirus, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.