What Is the ‘Quad-demic’ — and Is It Coming for You?

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of a woman sick on her couch.Photo:Getty

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Four viruses are surging in the U.S. — sparking headlines about a “quad-emic” spreading across the country.

But it’s not just a buzzy term for the spike in cases of COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and norovirus. The increase in illnesses is concerning, as these viruses can require hospitalization — or even be fatal — if not prepared for or treated properly.

These viruses are independent of the current rise in cases of bird flu, which caused the Jan. 6 death of aLouisiana man.

Here’s what to know about the diseases currently spreading in the U.S. — and what you can do to keep yourself and your family safe.

Influenza

TheU.S. Centers for Disease Controlsays influenza cases are “elevated” across the country, with this flu season causing 9.1 million illnesses, 110,000 hospitalizations and 4,700 deaths. Sixteen of those flu deaths were in children, with five occurring in the week ending January 4.

Tennessee, Louisiana, Oregon, and New Mexico are seeing the highest levels of flu activity, according to theCDC’s map.

The best way to avoid serious illness from the flu is prevention, as Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, the Director for theCDC, has told PEOPLE. “First and foremost, we want folks to get vaccinated … Vaccines can still prevent the worst of what these viruses can bring.”

Care for the flu is generally supportive — meaning rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medication, but as theMayo Clinicpoints out, if you’re in a group at high risk of complications — such as pregnant, older, or asthmatic — you may be prescribed an anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu.

Stock image of someone getting a vaccine.Getty

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus — known asRSV— is another respiratory illness currently at “very high” levels, theCDCsays.

“RSV is notorious for causing wheezing and a ton of mucous in little children,“Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatrician specializing in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Child Health Advocacy, told PEOPLE. “It often starts with a runny nose and maybe a fever, then often gets worse around day 3 to 5 of illness. It causes what is called bronchiolitis, which is different from bronchitis, meaning irritation and inflammation of the smaller airways in the lungs. This causes children to wheeze and have all sorts of noisy breathing.”

There is an RSV vaccine that’s recommended for high-risk adults over 60, and for infants whose mothers didn’t receive the shot while pregnant, theCDCsays, adding that everyone older than 75 should receive it.

Like influenza, RSV treatment is supportive — but may requirehospitalizationin severe cases, especially for infants and young children who are unable to verbalize how they’re feeling.

COVID-19

Although notcirculatingatpandemic-era levels, the respiratory virus has mutated and is still around, causing a slight increase in hospitalizations, according to recentCDC data.

As Cohen told PEOPLE, “TheCOVID virushas changed and you want the most updated protection to match the changes in the virus. Second, even if you’ve had Covid before or been vaccinated before, your protection decreases over time.”

Mild COVID can be treated withantivirialsfor those at higher risk of getting severely ill, theCDCsays, but these require a prescription. Otherwise, the CDC recommends testing for the illness (you can get four free testshere). If positive you should avoid contact with othersuntil 24 hoursafter you’re fever-free, without medication, and your symptoms improve.

Stock image of a thermometer showing a high fever.Getty

Norovirus

Cases of the gastrointestinal illness continue to surge, with recent CDC estimates clocking91 outbreaksof the wildly contagious virus.

Unlikes Covid, RSV or the flu, there isn’t a vaccine to prevent someone rfom getting norovirus — and hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against it.

Another way to avoid norovirus is to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them, and to cook oysters and other shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145°F; That’s the temperature at which norovirus — which is resistant to heat — finally starts to die.

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source: people.com