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.

"So, I am in New Delhi, India, and the air quality is over 750. It is the equivalent of smoking 18 cigarettes a day," says Alex, a British travel vlogger in a video uploaded seven days ago on Instagram. He calls the current situation in health a public health emergency. In the video, he walks around the city wearing an N-95 mask and says, "It is super sad. I cannot even see 50 meters in front of me. That is how bad the air quality is in Delhi."

Read: Breathing Delhi's Toxic Air Is Like Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day, According To Pulmonologist

As of Monday 7am, the city's average AQI remains under the "very poor" category, with the reading of 366 as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Seven areas slip under the 'severe' zone, with Narela recording the worst AQI of 418.

As per the CPCB, AQI between 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is satisfactory, 101 to 200 is moderate, 201 to 300 is poor, 301 to 400 is very poor and 401 to 500 is severe.

Impact Of Toxic Air On Its Population

Not just Delhi, but several other metro cities too have recorded a worsening in its air quality levels, in this backdrop, a Lancet study revealed that due to long-term air pollution exposure in India, every year, 1.5 million deaths occur. The study noted that every 10μg/m³ increase in annual PM2·5 concentration was associated with an 8.6 pc higher risk of all-cause mortality.

Using India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards, researchers estimate that about 3.8 million deaths between 2009 and 2019 were linked to PM2.5 exposure. When WHO guidelines were applied, the number rose sharply to 16.6 million, nearly one-fourth of all deaths in the country. The analysis relied on advanced causal methods and high-resolution models that mapped district-level PM2.5 exposure across India, while accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status, age distribution, and indoor air pollution.

Also Read: 'No Direct Link Between Lung Disease And Air Pollution,' Says Minister; But Studies Say Something Else

These findings are backed by a 2017 time-series study from Delhi that examined the short-term impact of air pollution on deaths from natural causes. The researchers pointed out that studies worldwide have consistently shown a clear link between common urban air pollutants and harmful health effects. Despite Delhi’s well-documented air quality crisis, they noted that limited local evidence on how specific pollutants affect health had long slowed meaningful policy action.

Furthermore, several other studies also reveal the impact of toxic air on different organs of the body, including lungs causing respiratory illness, as well as increasing the risk of dysmenorrhea in women.

A study published in Frontiers in Public Health, explored the data of 2,96,078 women and girls between the age of 16 to 55 years in Taiwan and correlated it with the long-term air pollution data between 2000 and 2013. None of these women had any history of dysmenorrhea before the survey had began.

Another 2017 study titled Pulmonary Health Effects of Air Pollution, it is clear that lung cancer could be exacerbated due to exposure to a variety of environmental air pollutants with greatest effects due to particulate matter (PM), ozone, and nitrogen oxides.

Delhi's Toxic Air Should Concern All

As of now, the air that we breathe in Delhi contains the same chemicals that are present in a cigarette. These chemicals include carbon monoxide, benzene, cadmium, formaldehyde, and benzopyrene.

Also Read: Simple Blood Tests Detecting Multiple Cancer; Do They Really Work?

Flu cases in the US has touched almost the 5 million mark, as per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New York City has seen the highest levels of flu-like activity, revealed the data. Among the other states are Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas. All these states noted a "moderate" level of flu-like or respiratory illnesses, while rest of the states remain in "low" or "very low" levels of flu-like activities.

What Does The CDC Data Reveal In Flu Cases?

As per the CDC data, there have been at least 4.6 million illnesses, with 49,000 hospitalization, and 1,900 deaths so far by flu in this season. These cases of flu are linked with the new variant known as the subclade K. CDC notes that among the samples sent to it, of the over 900 of them, 0-% were A(H3N2), of those that had further testing, nearly 90% of them were subclade K.

The CDC also notes that this mutant is a mismatch from the season's flu vaccine composition, however, according to experts the vaccine is still useful as the first line of defense against flu, including to avoid any severe illness, hospitalization, and or death.

John Brownstein, an epidemiologist told the ABC News, "Even with this new variant and some mismatch with the vaccine, getting a flu shot is still absolutely worth it. The vaccine continues to provide strong protection against severe outcomes like hospitalization and death, and that’s especially important as flu activity ramps up."

Flu Deaths In Children

Two pediatric flu deaths were reported this week, which brought the total number three to this season. Last season, there were 288, the same as the number in 2009 during the H1N1 pandemic, It is the highest levels since 2004. It was in that year when flu child deaths became mandatory for states to report to CDC.

The CDC found that about 90% of children who died from flu last season were not vaccination. The CDC study found that flu vaccination among kids have dropped 10% points lower than the pre-pandemic levels, with about only 40% of children getting the flu shot this season.

As of now, around 140 million doses of flu have been distributed, whereas last year, it was 128 million. The CDC also notes that anyone over the age of 6 months must get their annual flu shot. It is never too late to get the vaccine, note the experts.

Brownstein also notes: "This is the time of year when flu typically starts to take off, and we expect activity to continue increasing in the weeks ahead. As people gather indoors and travel more around the holidays, those conditions can accelerate spread."

H3N2 Symptoms

• High fever (often above 101°F)
• Severe body aches and muscle pain
• Extreme tiredness that lasts longer
• Dry cough that can be persistent
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea (especially in children)

The recovery time of any influenza could last up to 5 to 14 days, the key is to monitor breathing patterns and avoid over medication.

Donald Trump’s health has long been under scrutiny, and a recent Instagram post by a physical therapist, @epistemiccrisis, who holds a doctorate and has 14 years of experience treating dementia patients, has stirred fresh speculation. The doctor discussed how tertiary stage syphilis, also known as neurosyphilis, can closely mimic the symptoms of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.

What Is Tertiary Stage Syphilis?

Tertiary syphilis is the late stage of a syphilis infection, and it is relatively uncommon, usually appearing years or even decades after the initial infection. Its manifestations can vary, but the most common forms include cardiovascular syphilis, central nervous system involvement—classically presenting as tabes dorsalis or general paresis—and gummatous syphilis, which most often affects the liver. In the United States, syphilis is considered a reportable illness, meaning cases must be reported to public health authorities.

Tertiary Stage Syphilis And The Brain

Tertiary stage syphilis occurs when the infection remains untreated for years, potentially causing serious neurological complications. Before antibiotics were widely available, neurosyphilis accounted for roughly 15% of psychiatric inpatients, as per the doctor. The disease can damage the frontal and temporal lobes, producing behavioural changes strikingly similar to dementia.

Case Study Explains The Symptom Overlap

The doctor referenced a PubMed case study of a 47-year-old male whose behaviour drastically changed, leading to psychiatric admission. The patient showed extreme disorientation and poor hygiene, including rubbing his own faeces in his hair. After receiving antibiotics, his symptoms resolved, and brain scans later revealed improved blood flow to the frontal lobe.

Could Donald Trump Have Tertiary Stage Syphilis?

Red marks on Trump’s hands have sparked discussion about possible tertiary stage syphilis. However, the doctor noted that untreated syphilis in someone of Trump’s age would generally produce more severe complications, making the likelihood low. Additional health factors, including possible history of stroke, heart issues, and kidney disease, further complicate speculation.

Are Frontotemporal Dementia and Tertiary Syphilis Related?

Donald Trump has been speculated to show signs of frontotemporal dementia, a condition affecting behavior, personality, and decision-making. Interestingly, tertiary stage syphilis, specifically neurosyphilis, can cause similar symptoms by damaging the frontal and temporal lobes. Both conditions may lead to changes in social behavior, judgment, and cognitive function, making it challenging to differentiate without proper medical evaluation. Unlike frontotemporal dementia, which is progressive and currently incurable, tertiary syphilis is treatable with antibiotics, underscoring the need for accurate diagnosis.

Is Tertiary Stage Syphilis Treatable?

Neurosyphilis is treatable with antibiotics, and early detection is critical. The case study highlights how the condition can mimic dementia, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation—even for high-profile figures like Donald Trump.

Disclaimer: The claims discussed in this article are being made by the Instagram user @epistemiccrisis. Health & Me does not verify or endorse these claims, and this content is intended for informational purposes only, not as a medical diagnosis or advice.