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.

Actor Shreyas Talpade recalls that during a shoot for Single Salma in Lucknow, he felt unusually drained after an intense action sequence. In an interview with the Times of India, he revealed, along with the fatigue, there was an odd sensation in his throat, something he had never experienced before. He sat down briefly, brushed it aside, and convinced himself that he was fine.

Yet, something did not sit right with him. Concerned, Shreyas decided to consult a doctor. He underwent an ECG and a 2D echo, and both reports came back normal. While he did not completely ignore what his body was telling him, he also did not probe further. He assumed the medical reports meant there was nothing to worry about.

Months later, in December 2023, Shreyas Talpade suffered a major cardiac episode, an experience that would alter his life in ways he never imagined.

Shreyas Talpade Had No Classic Risk Factors, Yet He Suffered a Heart Attack

Shreyas was only in his mid-40s when the incident occurred, but it changed him both physically and emotionally.

Physically, he now follows lifelong precautions to ensure such an episode does not recur. Regular medication, scheduled follow-ups, routine checkups, and strict adherence to medical advice have become a permanent part of his life.

Emotionally, the impact was even more intense. Shreyas points out that he had none of the four common risk factors associated with heart attacks. He did not smoke or drink. He was neither diabetic nor hypertensive. And yet, the cardiac episode happened.

Shreyas Talpade’s Five Mantras For Heart Health

• Listen to your body: If something feels unusual, do not delay or dismiss it.
• Get tested early: The sooner you detect a problem, the faster you can respond.
• Stay consistent: Fixed timings for meals, medicines, and sleep are essential. A healthy life depends on routine, not randomness.
• Rest adequately: Seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is non-negotiable. It plays a vital role in healing and recovery.
• Monitor your heart regularly: ECGs, 2D echo tests, stress tests, and calcium score screenings can save lives. Prevention is always better than cure.
• Manage stress: Stress is unavoidable, but learning to manage it is crucial. Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

Shreyas believes that while life brings uncertainty, many aspects of health remain within our control. After an experience like his, priorities naturally shift. Family becomes the top priority, and staying healthy becomes essential to spend meaningful time with loved ones. That, he says, means sleeping well, exercising four to five times a week, and eating nutritious meals on time.

Heart Attack: Why Timely Meals Matter More Than Extreme Diets

He stresses that while nutritious food is important, eating at regular times is even more critical. Maintaining fixed meal schedules helps the body function better. Having dinner early allows the digestive system enough time to rest. Even the healthiest food, he notes, loses its benefit if meal timings are irregular.

His earlier discipline with clean eating and regular workouts played a significant role in his recovery. Shreyas also believes that post-pandemic health changes and the Covid vaccine may have triggered complications, but his active lifestyle helped him bounce back faster.

According to him, proper nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, and balance strengthen the body. Without these habits, the outcome could have been very different. He firmly believes the body responds to the care it receives.

Learning To Handle Stress And Let Go

Shreyas acknowledges that stress is an unavoidable part of life. However, he believes learning how to manage it is essential.

Over time, he has realised that not everything lies within one’s control. Letting go of what cannot be changed is just as important as addressing what can be managed. Wisdom often comes with age, but when someone shares their experiences, he feels it is important to listen.

His message is clear: do not wait for a personal crisis to learn lessons the hard way.

The United States under President Donald Trump’s administration has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the news on Thursday. This has been a longstanding goal of President Trump.

Trump’s Goal To Exit From WHO

During Trump’s first term, he tried to leave WHO, then gave a notice through an executive order on the first day of his second term. It noted that the US would leave the organization. As per law, the US must give WHO a one-year notice and pay all outstanding fees before its departure. This means the US still owes WHO roughly $260 million. However, legal experts said that US is unlikely to pay up and WHO will have little recourse.

Dr. Lawrence Gostin, an expert on global health law and public health at Georgetown University told CNN, “As a matter of law, it is very clear that the United States cannot officially withdraw from WHO unless it pays its outstanding financial obligations. But WHO has no power to force the US to pay what it owes.”

WHO could pass a resolution saying that US cannot withdraw until it pays, however, it won’t risk creating any further tension that there already is.

The HHS on Thursday confirmed that all US government funding to WHO has been terminated and all personnel and contractors assigned or embedded within the organization have been recalled. It also said the US had ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures and technical working groups.

What the US Exit From WHO Means for the World

The US government has said it is moving ahead with its decision to exit the World Health Organization (WHO), arguing that the country has not received enough value for the money, staff, and support it has given to the global health body over the years.

Senior officials from HHS said the WHO acted against US interests, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. They accused the organization of delaying the declaration of a global public health emergency and of praising China’s early response despite signs of underreporting, information suppression, and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission.

HHS also criticized the WHO for being slow to acknowledge airborne spread of Covid-19 and for downplaying the role of people without symptoms in spreading the virus. According to officials, these missteps cost the world precious time as the virus spread rapidly.

While the US has been the WHO’s largest funder, officials pointed out that no American has ever served as the organization’s director-general. “A promise made and a promise kept,” one senior official said, adding that US health policies should not be shaped by “unaccountable foreign bureaucrats.”

That said, the administration has not completely ruled out cooperation with the WHO. When asked whether the US would take part in an upcoming WHO meeting on next year’s flu vaccine composition, officials said discussions are still ongoing.

The government has insisted that leaving the WHO does not mean stepping away from global health leadership. Instead, the US plans to work directly with individual countries, health ministries, non-governmental organizations, and religious groups on disease surveillance and data sharing. This effort is expected to be led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Global Health Center. Officials have promised more announcements on this strategy in the coming months.

However, many public health experts are deeply concerned. Some warn that replacing the WHO with country-by-country agreements will create a fragmented system that lacks coordination and adequate funding. Former CDC officials note that the CDC has staff in about 60 countries, far fewer than the global reach of the WHO.

Critics say the move could leave both the US and the world vulnerable to future outbreaks. Experts argue that infectious diseases do not respect borders and that global cooperation is essential for early detection, data sharing, and rapid response.

Several health leaders have called the decision dangerous and short-sighted, warning that without WHO membership, the US could lose timely access to critical data, virus samples, and genomic information needed to develop vaccines and treatments. WHO’s director-general has described the US withdrawal as a “lose-lose” situation, saying both America and the rest of the world stand to suffer.

Sunita L Williams has retired from NASA after 27 year of spacefaring career. The astronaut went on three long missions to the International Space Station (ISS), which meant she logged 608 days in space, with a record breaking nine spacewalks. She was also stranded in ISS with Butch Wilmore. The mission was supposed to be 8-day-long, however it extended up to nine months due to a Starliner spacecraft problem. During this stay, she faced certain health issues. Photos showed significant weight loss, with sunken cheekbones.

Recently, Williams appeared on Raj Shamani podcast, where she talked about her experience of spending 286 days in space.

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What Health Challenges Sunita Williams Faced In Space?

When Shamani asked her about her health challenges, she pointed out that it is when you land back on earth is when you feel the most uncomfortable. “Initially when you come back, you are not feeling very good. But then it goes away pretty good,” she said.

Shamani then asked how does she feel when she lands on earth. “For me it is nauseas. When we were landing in the water, everyone was focusing on the dolphins, but I was thinking if the capsule goes upside down, it is not going to be very good. The capsule was bobbing for a few seconds like a cork,” she said.

She explains that when you are in the space, your neuro vestibular system, which is body’s internal balance and orientation system, located in the inner ear does not work. “When you are out in space, gravity and inner balance are not needed and when you come back, it is suddenly there.”

She said that she felt nauseas for 24 to 48 hours. Furthermore, she said that when she wears the spacesuit and pinches her head through that, it makes her a “little sick”.

While in space, she explains, “all the balance muscles that you use here on earth, you do not even realize are not in use. After landing, they suddenly have to be put to use, so they have to be recharged. For me, it takes about a month to get used to it.”

How Does The Space To Earth Transition Work?

“We also get trainers who examine our progress and how we are doing back on earth. It is actually pretty cool to see how your body works and to human yourself again or to earth yourself again.”

Shamani asked if coming back to earth and adapting to gravity takes time. He asked, “do you feel like if you pick something and leave it, it won’t drop, rather it will flow?” “It happens, but you get back to gravity pretty quickly,” she said.

What Are The Health Risks Of Staying In Space?

Space agencies like NASA and the German Space Agency (DLR) studied the effects of space on human body. In 2024, the journal Nature published over 40 studies focused on aerospace medicine and space biology. One such study, called TWINS compared astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a year on the ISS with his identical twin, Mark, who stayed on Earth.

The study highlighted a significant risk of prolonged space missions: radiation exposure.

Read: NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams’ Health Deteriorates During Extended Mission: Experts Raise Concerns

Radiation in space can damage DNA, increasing cancer risks and oxidative stress in the body. Bailey explained that space radiation exposure is a major concern for astronauts. Space agencies must find ways to protect astronauts during space travel and long-term stays on the Moon or Mars. They have set limits on the amount of radiation astronauts can be exposed to over their careers.

Another challenge is microgravity that causes bone density loss of 1-1.5% per month. When astronauts come down to Earth. They may struggle with physical activities like dancing due to weak bones and it can also affect vision. The fluids that shift to the head put pressure on the eyes. This can also lead to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, which can permanently impact vision.

Other risks involve fluid redistribution that can lead to facial puffiness and decreased fluid volume in legs, disruption of cardiovascular functions, complicating blood pressure and even risks to the urinary systems. The risk of kidney stone too is high.

Nutrition deficiencies was another concern which was raised when photos of Williams revealed a significant weight loss. Her sunken cheekbones raised worries about her eating habits. There were also speculations of her being on a calorie-deficit diet. This meant that she ate less than her body required to sustain the high energy she needs for space travels.

In terms of physical activities, astronauts in microgravity must exercise for 2.5 hours daily. This helps them maintain muscle bone health. However, challenging environment could lead to weight loss.