There's been an alarming increase of respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in the United States lately, causing anxiety about a so-called "quad-demic". According to surveillance reports, influenza, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are at very high levels everywhere. While the surge aligns with patterns typical for this season, several epidemiologists view simultaneous infections of such proportions to pose risks not only to individual healthcare but public health.

The incidence of the quad-demic should vary with seasonal patterns, vaccination rates, and public health interventions. Each virus alone is relatively easy to manage; however, the effect of all together could lead to overburdening of health care facilities and increase risks for those at higher risk. Continuing surveillance, early testing, and proactive prevention measures will play an important role in the control of these infections going forward.

While the term "quad-demic" sounds daunting, it must be taken into perspective. For years, we have had all these viruses together, and we have the capabilities to mitigate some of the risk. Vaccination, proper hygiene and using common sense helps individuals get through the season unscathed. Is the quad-demic a permanent fixture or just another seasonal wave? Let's break this down.

What is the Quad-demic?

Typically, flu, COVID-19, and RSV have been the primary culprits behind seasonal respiratory infections. However, norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, has emerged as a fourth significant player, inducing fears of a more severe and widespread viral outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. recorded nearly 500 norovirus outbreaks between August and December 2023, a substantial rise from the previous year’s numbers.

While the term "quad-demic" may sound ominous, the seriousness and consequences of such infections should be weighed in light of the U.S. healthcare system's experience with managing viral surges since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Influenza (Flu)

Flu continues to be one of the most common and alarming seasonal illnesses. In the period spanning from 2023 to 2024, there were approximately 40 million cases of flu, and thousands of hospitalizations along with reported 47 deaths have been reported this season. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue, with most recovering within a week or two but risky factors for severe illness effects occur in young children, elderly, and people with chronic conditions.

2. Covid-19

Despite its reduction from the first pandemic peak, COVID-19 is still rampant. The CDC estimates that alone between October and December 2023, there were between 2.7 and 5 million cases in the U.S. Hospitalization has increased by cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Symptoms are closely similar to the flu, fever, cough, and fatigue but uniquely presents in some cases as loss of taste and smell.

3. RSV

RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infections in infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. While RSV peaked late in 2023 and early 2024, it continues to be a threat because it can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It is very similar to the common cold, presenting with symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, coughing, and fever, which can make it difficult to differentiate from flu or COVID-19 without testing.

4. Norovirus

Norovirus, also called the "stomach flu," is a highly contagious infection of the gastrointestinal tract, not a respiratory virus. It transmits quickly from contaminated food and water and contact with contaminated surfaces, causing such symptoms as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Cases have shot up, the CDC said Monday, with reports of outbreaks surging compared with last year.

Is There a Challenge In Diagnosis Due to Overlapping Symptoms?

The greatest challenge during the quad-demic is how the four viruses are alike and thus make identification very hard with no testing applied. Most cases present symptoms common to all viruses: fever, tiredness, body pains, and respiratory, which includes coughing and congestions for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV; the other would be norovirus symptoms as nausea and vomiting can appear even in extreme influenza and COVID-19. This overlap increases the risk of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, hence the need for early testing and proper medical guidance.

Also Read: Is US Preparing For A Quad- demic 2025?

Effective Prevention Strategies That Work

The best defense against these viruses is a combination of vaccines, hygiene, and lifestyle precautions. While lifestyle modifications are highlighted as part of the constant need to eat healthy, ensure daily movement and drinking adequate amount of fluids. There is a sure short two preventive strategies that are effective:

Vaccination

• Flu vaccine: Annual flu shots reduce the severity of infection, allergic flare ups and hospitalizations.
• COVID-19 vaccine: Though COVID-19 cases have declined, vaccination remains critical in preventing severe outcomes.
• RSV vaccine: Available for those aged 60 years and older, especially those with underlying conditions.
• Norovirus vaccine: No vaccine is yet available, but mRNA vaccine research is in progress.

Hygiene and Sanitation

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after public exposure.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly, use sanitiser when outside.
• Avoid close contact with infected people and wear masks.

Do You Need To Wear A Mask All The Time?

While debates on masked wear continue on, experts on mask-wear affirm that this does not only have a historical precedent but works towards reducing airborne viruses spreading within the environments. Hospitals, though, ensure masking in key sections of themselves. Publicized mask-wear remains a discretion, though massing indoors still goes a longer way in cases like peak flu seasons.

If you notice the symptoms of these viruses, then it's best to be confined at home and avoid having face-to-face interaction with others and seek immediate attention from your physician if your condition worsens. Quarantining for some days can decrease the spread of infection.

As we move into the first half of 2025 and beyond, staying informed and proactive is the best strategy for maintaining health and avoiding unnecessary panic. The key takeaway? Stay vigilant, but don’t be alarmed—these viruses are here, but so are the means to fight them.

More than a year after Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, the actor has shared a new update on how the illness has changed his outlook on life in unexpected ways. Speaking to host Craig Melvin on the December 19 episode of Today, James reflected on the moment he first heard the diagnosis.

“As soon as I found out, I remember thinking, ‘This might end up being the best thing that ever happened to me,’” he said. “There was this quiet voice in my head telling me that this diagnosis would push me to make changes I would never have made otherwise.”

As James Van Der Beek opens up about his health journey, many are asking: what kind of cancer was he diagnosed with?

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Kind Of Cancer Has He Been Diagnosed With?

James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer after he began noticing changes in his bowel habits in the summer of 2023. At first, he brushed off the symptoms, assuming they were linked to his coffee intake. However, when the changes did not go away, he decided to consult a doctor.

A colonoscopy later confirmed the cancer diagnosis. The news came as a shock, especially since Van Der Beek had no known family history of colorectal cancer and believed he was in excellent health due to his active lifestyle and balanced diet.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum and often begins as small, non-cancerous growths known as polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become cancerous, interfering with digestion and the body’s ability to process waste.

It is one of the more common forms of cancer and can be difficult to detect early because symptoms may not appear right away. When they do, they often include blood in the stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, early screening plays a critical role in detecting the disease when it is most treatable, and lifestyle choices can significantly influence risk and outcomes.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: Regular Screenings and Colonoscopies

As colorectal cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages, routine screening is essential. Colonoscopies allow doctors to spot and remove precancerous polyps and detect cancer before it spreads. Early intervention has been shown to lower both the number of cases and deaths associated with the disease.

Data from the CDC highlights the importance of early detection, with survival rates varying widely by stage. While stage I colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of about 91 percent, that number drops sharply to around 14 percent for stage IV cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Health experts recommend beginning regular screening at age 45, or earlier for people with higher risk factors. Colonoscopy remains the most effective screening tool, as it examines the entire colon and allows for immediate removal of suspicious growths.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Was The Prognosis?

James Van Der Beek’s outlook following his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis has been described as cautiously hopeful. His cancer was identified while still localized, a category associated with a significantly higher survival rate. According to the American Cancer Society, localized colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of approximately 91 percent.

James Van Der Beek Cancer: What Treatments Did James Undergo?

James Van Der Beek has chosen not to share detailed information about the specific treatments he has received for his stage 3 colorectal cancer. In general, treatment for this stage of the disease typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy, and in some cases, radiation therapy.

Nutritional support also plays an important role, particularly because colorectal cancer and its treatments can affect digestion. While Van Der Beek has kept the details private, he has emphasized that he is actively addressing his diagnosis and prioritizing his overall health as part of his recovery.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the reclassification of cannabis, a move that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to more closely examine its potential medical uses. The order states that the administration’s policy is to expand research on medical marijuana and CBD so patients and doctors have clearer, evidence-based guidance.

It also stresses the need to narrow the gap between widespread use and limited scientific understanding of possible benefits and risks, according to NBC News. Under the proposed change, cannabis would be moved to Schedule III, placing it in the same category as certain commonly prescribed pain medicines, including Tylenol with codeine.

Trump Signs Order to Ease Restrictions on Marijuana

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that marks one of the most notable shifts in U.S. marijuana policy in decades. On December 18, he instructed federal agencies to stop treating marijuana as a Schedule I substance, a category reserved for drugs considered highly dangerous, such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.

The Drug Enforcement Administration defines Schedule I drugs as having no accepted medical use and a high likelihood of abuse. Trump directed that marijuana instead be placed under Schedule III, which the DEA describes as substances with recognized medical uses and a moderate to low risk of physical or psychological dependence. If implemented, this change would move marijuana away from the same legal framework as heroin and LSD and align it more closely with medicines that have established therapeutic value, such as certain acetaminophen and codeine combinations.

What Is A Schedule 3 Drug?

Schedule III drugs are regulated substances that are permitted for specific medical purposes under federal law. While their manufacture, distribution, and use are tightly controlled, they can be prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals. These rules also spell out penalties for illegal trafficking. Examples of Schedule III drugs include ketamine, anabolic steroids, and some acetaminophen-codeine medications.

Marijuana has long been listed as a Schedule I drug, a classification that assumes it is highly dangerous, addictive, and lacking medical value. Reclassifying it would shift cannabis into a category that allows lawful medical prescribing.

Marijuana has remained a Schedule I substance since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, according to CBS News.

What All Medicines Are Included In Schedule 3 Drug?

In the United States, Schedule III drugs are recognized for medical use and are considered less likely to be abused than Schedule I or II substances, though they may still cause moderate physical or high psychological dependence. This group includes anabolic steroids, ketamine, certain opioid combinations containing codeine or hydrocodone, such as Tylenol with Codeine, and barbiturates like pentobarbital. These medications are subject to strict rules around prescribing, dispensing, and storage to balance their medical benefits with the risk of misuse.

FDA To Study Marijuana's Medicinal Properties

Once the reclassification is finalized, it is expected to make research easier by reducing funding and regulatory barriers for clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies would also find it simpler to seek FDA approval for cannabis-based medicines. Because marijuana has been listed as Schedule I, many drug makers have avoided pursuing trials due to heavy bureaucracy and high costs. Moving it to Schedule III would lower these hurdles and allow the FDA to properly study its medical potential. This could eventually expand access to cannabis-based treatments for groups such as seniors and veterans, regardless of differing state laws.

Although the change would not legalize marijuana outright, it could bring meaningful practical effects, including clearer medical access and fewer legal uncertainties for consumers and businesses. Trump also made clear that he does not support recreational legalization. He warned that using powerful controlled substances for non-medical reasons is unsafe and said that unless a doctor recommends a drug for medical purposes, people should avoid using it, according to NBC News.

Life saving blood transfusion for thalassemia left four children HIV-positive, in India's Madhya Pradesh. The children are now confronted with lifetime illness, social stigma, and uncertainty.

How Did Four Children In Madhya Pradesh Get HIV?

The children had thalassemia, which is a genetic blood disorder that requires regular transfusion to manage severe anemia and sustain life. The authorities of central state of Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, said that five children with thalassemia, aged three to 15 have tested positive for HIV. Out of the five children, one of them had both of their parents were HIV positive. This has prompted concerns over blood transfusion practices and a committee has now been set up to investigate these cases.

Read: How Widespread Is Thalassemia In India—And What Can Be Done?

The families of the patients come from Satna district While the infections had been detected during a routine checkup between January and May 2025, the media attention came only earlier this week, after local media reports were released on the same.

This is not the first time this has happened. Similar case was seen from the eastern state of Jharkhand. This is where five children, all under the age of eight were also found to have contracted HIV after blood transfusions. All of them had thalassemia, and received blood transfusion at a state-run hospital.

Earlier, in 2011, Gujarat authorities launched an investigation after 23 children with thalassemia tested HIV positive following regular blood transfusions at a public hospital.

What Is HIV?

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus spreads to unprotected sex, unsafe medical practices, including infected blood transfusion, using used needles for tattooing, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. While the disease is not fatal, it does requires lifetime management. In India, more than 2.5 million people have HIV and 66,400 new infections have come up each year. As per the government data, 1.6 million people are on lifelong treatment at antiretroviral therapy (ART) centers.

What Happened To The Five Children In Jharkhand?

Satna district collector Satish Kumar S said the five children had received blood transfusions at different centres, involving multiple donors, reported BBC. Health officials confirmed that the transfusions took place at both government hospitals and private clinics, and said all the children are currently undergoing treatment.

In one case, both parents of a three-year-old child were found to be HIV positive. In the remaining cases, the parents tested negative, ruling out mother-to-child transmission.

Satna’s chief medical and health officer, Manoj Shukla, said children who require repeated blood transfusions are treated as a high-risk group and are routinely screened for HIV. “Once the infection was detected, treatment was started immediately and is continuing. At present, the children are stable,” he said.

Dr Shukla added that every unit of blood issued by the district hospital’s blood bank is tested according to government protocols and released only after a negative report. However, he noted that in rare instances, donors in the very early stage of HIV infection may not be detected during initial screening but may test positive later.

Last week, thalassemia patients urged Parliament to pass the National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025, saying it would strengthen oversight of blood collection, testing and transfusion practices. Campaigners, including patients who contracted HIV through unsafe transfusions, described the proposed law as a long-overdue step towards ensuring safe and quality-assured blood for those who depend on frequent transfusions.