January 19, 2024 – The familiar symptoms are back – runny nose, cough, pain, stuffy nose, and possibly fever. If you test negative for COVID-19 at home, you will need to see a doctor to find out what your infection is. However, when you go to the doctor, a typical coronavirus or influenza test will come back negative. A new mysterious respiratory disease may appear to be in the air.
Instead, several typical respiratory viruses appear to be peaking all at once. Doctors are reporting high levels of infection with the novel coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as similar symptoms, including the common cold, other coronaviruses, and parainfluenza virus (which causes typical symptoms). They have also reported other „influenza-like illnesses“ that cause influenza. respiratory symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, sneezing, and sore throat).
Dr. Brianne Barker, an associate professor of biology at New Jersey's Drew University who studies viruses and the body's immune response, said, „As you would expect at this time of year, respiratory virus infection rates remain high.'' It's very expensive.“ “Also, a significant number of patients appear to have multiple infections at the same time, such as influenza and strep throat, which can cause confusion when patients consider their symptoms.”
So what should I do? If you think you have symptoms, please wear a mask in public, Barker said. Stay home if you feel sick, especially if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and signs of an infection, such as chills or muscle aches. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu for the flu and Paxlobid for the coronavirus may help if you get infected quickly, but otherwise the best thing to do is stay hydrated and rest at home. It is important.
„The big picture is that we are in a hot season for respiratory viruses, and it appears that influenza is the biggest player in hospitals right now, supplanting everything else,“ Emory Hospital said. said Dr. Dhaval Desai, medical director. St. Joseph Hospital in Atlanta. „We don't know if certain viruses are more aggressive or different this year, so it's hard to say exactly what's going on, but we've seen an increase since mid-December. It's true that we've lost ground, and the momentum hasn't stopped.“
What are the latest trends?
The current surge in coronavirus infections (COVID-19) appears to be at its highest level since the Omicron variant infected millions of people in December 2022, according to a report. CDC COVID Wastewater Data. The CDC says the test positivity rate has increased since November but appears to be stabilizing. New coronavirus data tracker However, the positivity rate in the first week of January remained high at 12.7%.
At the time, emergency department visits due to COVID-19 had begun to decline, but hospitalizations were still on the rise and deaths were up 14.3% from the previous week. As of January 6, the JN.1 variant is driving the majority of the spread, accounting for 61.6% of coronavirus cases in the United States. CDC variant data.
„Currently, coronavirus does not seem to be as serious as it was during Omicron's time, but the problem is that coronavirus cases are not being reported in the same way as before, and we don't have data on their status, so it is difficult to compare. It's difficult,'' said Dr. Bernard Cummins, an infectious disease specialist and medical director of infection prevention at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
He said the good news is that the hospitalization rate is lower than last year given the number of infections, „so we now have some immunity.“
„The other good news is that there are treatments for coronavirus, such as paxlobid, and most people can receive treatment if they see their doctor as soon as possible after infection.“
Camins said flu incidence rates, which declined at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, appear to have returned to typical levels. This flu season is expected to start earlier than usual in 2023 and reach its peak in the coming weeks.of CDC's FluView shows that the test positivity rate (currently 14%) is increasing, and the number of hospitalizations and deaths are trending upward as well.
Similarly, the CDC National trend data The number of respiratory syncytial virus infections has increased in recent weeks, rivaling last year's peak, but the numbers now appear to be declining, particularly in the northeast and south, the study shows.
Other viruses are also prevalent, such as adenoviruses, which can cause symptoms such as the common cold, sore throat, diarrhea, and pink eye. Parainfluenza virus peaked in late November, and increased rapidly at the end of December. Cummins said rhinoviruses, which cause common colds, have returned to normal peak levels this season, along with influenza.
„I hadn't been sick since 2021, but I recently contracted a rhinovirus and it spread within my family. The symptoms weren't too severe, but the cough is still there,“ he said. „The important thing is that in previous years, people were not exposed to these viruses because of mask-wearing and other precautions, but now people are being exposed to many of these viruses. ”
What should we expect next?
The peak season for respiratory viruses is likely to last through January and February, then begin to decline as the weather warms, allowing outdoor activities, improving ventilation, and increasing humidity. Masu.
„One of the reasons we see so many infections this time of year is related to humidity. These virus-containing droplets stay in the air longer, and dry air actually reduces the nasal immune response. It just doesn't work as well,“ Barker said. He said. “Evidence shows that increased humidity removes some viruses from the air and boosts the immune response.”
In the meantime, Barker recommends taking precautions, stocking up on home tests and staying home when you're sick. She recently recovered from an upper respiratory infection and has decided to wear a mask again in public. All the tests she took at her doctor's office came back negative, but she doesn't want to repeat the experience.
“It reminded me how not fun it is to have an infection,” she said. „If I never have to go through that again, I'm going to wear a mask in the grocery store. I'm taking care of myself and others.“
Additionally, don't hesitate to get tested, especially if antiviral medications would help, Desai said. After contracting a respiratory virus in November, he decided to seek medical attention because he had a high fever and continued sweating. He tested positive for influenza A (H1N1). The most frequently reported influenza type at the end of December was H1N1, according to the CDC's FluView.
„It was worse than other illnesses I've had in recent years, but I took antiviral drugs and it cleared up in about four days,“ he said. „My mother, who is in her 70s and has a weakened immune system, also contracted the infection, but she took antiviral drugs even sooner and recovered in about 24 to 36 hours.“
It's also not too late to get vaccinated against the most prevalent viruses in the coming months, especially coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Cummins said the most vulnerable populations, such as young children and the elderly, could especially benefit from vaccination.
„For example, for respiratory syncytial virus, there are vaccines available for pregnant women to protect their infants,“ he said. „And while we don't have good data to determine whether the current coronavirus vaccines prevent infection, we do know that they can still prevent severe illness and death.“
As 2024 continues, experts look forward to more effective home tests for coronavirus and influenza, better influenza vaccines, and new research into the body's immune response to these respiratory viruses. He said there was.
„Regardless of what's surging and what we're dealing with right now, disease prevention is key,“ Desai said. „Think about your risk factors and what you're doing for your health overall this year based on your age, including regular checkups and cancer screenings. Stay Healthy and Feel Good“ Sometimes there is power in asserting yourself.”