Docs are 'busy, busy, busy' as the quad-demic slams the US—but here's the bit of good news
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“This certainly has kept physicians and clinics and hospitals very, very busy.” –William Schaffner, MD
“The most likely explanation for [the] increase in norovirus activity is, number one, that we've got more diagnostics more widely available, so we're just reporting more, and then number two is [that] there is strain evolution that's occurred with norovirus.” – Dean Blumberg, MD
“I would be enthusiastic about testing somebody for COVID and treating them with antivirals such as Paxlovid if they're eligible for that.” –Dean Blumberg, MD
Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.
A quartet of viruses is currently sweeping the United States in what some are referring to as a ‘quad-demic.’[]
RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and norovirus are circulating widely, and experts say that physicians and hospitals are under pressure.
“This certainly has kept physicians and clinics and hospitals very, very busy. We are in the midst of a moderately severe influenza season that's been the largest driver of people coming to emergency rooms and being admitted to the hospital. Certainly, my institution has been full, and there have been people kept in emergency rooms for long periods of time awaiting admission because the entire hospital is full,” William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, tells MDLinx.
RSV rates are also increasing. From August 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025, there were 1,078 norovirus outbreaks reported by NoroSTAT-participating states to the CDC.[]
In comparison, there were 557 norovirus outbreaks during the same period last year.[]
“In addition to those three respiratory viruses, we have norovirus infections … in many places in the United States, and of course that virus has the unfortunate nickname of ‘winter vomiting disease," says Dr. Schaffner
What can physicians do?
There are a number of things physicians can do to help their patients as these four viruses circulate, Dr. Blumberg says.
“Maintaining awareness of what's occurring in the local community, making sure that testing, if it's available, is done promptly. Studies show that for COVID, early treatment can decrease risk of hospital admission and severity of illness,” he says.
“Similarly for influenza, the circulating strains are sensitive to Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), so early diagnosis and treatment, early in infection, can result in decreased severity of illness and [fewer] symptoms and allow people to get back to work or school earlier. [For] norovirus, there is no specific treatment; it's supportive care. We're seeing a lot of cases. I think just increasing awareness in the community may result in increased hygiene efforts, which is most important [for] decreas[ing] transmission,” Dr. Blumberg says.
Any good news?
“Fortunately, if you look at the national data, influenza appears to be fading somewhat … that's good news. If [the] flu is indeed coming down, COVID has started up—perhaps a little later than we anticipated and not quite as vigorously at the moment. The winter increase does not appear to have the same magnitude that the summer and early fall increase had, which is a surprise—a favorable one,” Dr. Schaffner adds.