Quademic 2025: Hospitals in the United States are dealing with a surge in patients admission, the reason is the quademic it is dealing with at this moment. This has led to an influx of patients. It is all caused by seasonal infections, including common flu, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that dominate the winter season in the US. This year, norovirus also joined the list, which has further increased the load on the healthcare.

The healthcare company founded in academics M Health Fairview, confirmed that their hospitals are overflowing due to the quademic.

Is US able to cope with Quademic 2025?

The hospitals of M Health Fairview's volume is up by 30% and as a results, patients are being treated in the hallways and in alternative care areas. There is also a longer wait time and shortages for resources that are required to treat these emergencies. This has also impacted other life-threatening emergencies like heart attacks and strokes, as the healthcare resources and caregivers are occupied with the surge in seasonal cases.

ALSO READ: Birmingham Struggles With 4 Different Virus Hits, Know What They Are

What are these quademic infections?

Common cold and flu: The common cold and influenza (flu) are perhaps the most well-known illnesses that peak during the fall. As temperatures drop and humidity levels fluctuate, viruses that cause colds and the flu become more active. The flu, in particular, can be more severe than a common cold, leading to complications such as pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, coughing, fever, and body aches.

Covid-19: As per the World Health Organization, Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with this virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment, However, there could be some cases of seriously ill patients who may require medical attention. It is also because of the other existing medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, or older age.

The best way to protect against this virus is by following social isolation form those who are infected, using mask to prevent droplets from infecting others when you cough or sneeze and to wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently.

RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus: As per the Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects nose, throat and lungs. Though symptoms are similar to the viruses like flu or COVID-19, the disease in itself is different. It also peaks during the winter season, especially between December and January.

However, the main difference between RSV and other respiratory illness, above mentioned is that RSV can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis, especially for those who are over the age of 50 or with an existing heart or lung disease.

Norovirus: It is a number 1 cause of foodborne illness in the US and this happens when virus gets into the food and then it accidentally enters your mouth. These particles are from faeces or vomit from infected people, or can be transmitted via contaminated food and water. It could also spread by touching unclean surfaces like door handles or cutlery.

For most people, having norovirus is unpleasant, but mild and recovery could be made in 1 to 2 days. However, it could be more serious for babies, older people and anyone with any existing health condition.

Days after actor Genelia D'Souza revealed she does not feed her children ghee over fears of blocking their arteries and causing heart damage, cardiologists have exclusively revealed to HealthAndMe whether the superfood is healthy for youngsters.

During an episode of Soha Ali Khan’s YouTube podcast 'All About Her', D'Souza said: "Ghee was never a very big part of my diet. I’ve always been more conscious because cholesterol issues run in my family. Whether it was non-vegetarian food or anything else, it was always on my mind, I didn’t want to go overboard.

"We start building habits early. You can't keep feeding children excessive amounts of certain foods and then expect them to suddenly not be overweight and head to the gym later in life. It has to make sense."

And Dr Lakshmi Sukumaran, cardiologist and cardiac anesthesiologist at Metromed International Cardiac Centre agrees!

The specialist told the publication: "Children need appropriate fat for growth, brain development, and hormone synthesis. However, children also do not need excess saturated fat.

"Small amounts of ghee, a teaspoon added to food is not harmful for healthy children with normal weight, active lifestyle and no genetic lipid disorders.

What should be avoided is high daily intake, especially when combined with sedentary lifestyle and calorie excess."

Is Ghee Indeed Bad For Young Children?

Made from cow milk butter, ghee contains about 130 calories and 15 grams of fat on average. It is also known to be rich in Vitamin A, D, K and E as well antioxidants.

However due to its high saturated fat content, some experts claim ghee can raise bad cholesterol levels in some people. Dr Neville Solomon, pediatric cardiac surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai further advised that it is important for parents to practice caution over the amount their children are consuming of the superfood.

He exclusively told HealthAndMe: "Excessive intake can be harmful and manifest as weight gain, and indirectly in adulthood, as metabolic syndrome, which can manifest as hypertension, diabetes and raised bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol, which can translate into 'hardening of arteries' and coronary artery disease in adulthood."

Additionally, he suggested that children should be kept away from fried foods, be allowed to to consume ghee in moderation and encouraged to be physically active to maintain cardiac health as they grow.

"A sensible policy, if your child is overweight, it is best to avoid or restrict ghee and related potentially harmful foods like fried items, sweets, salty foods like chips and pickles. Ensure your child is physically active, and screen time is restricted. Adequate sleep and avoiding excessive stress are equally important for the long-term 'heart health' of a child," he said.

What About Adults?

Dr Sukumaran explained that while low amounts of ghee in itself is not unhealthy for children and cannot block arteries, it is necessary for adults to also practice moderation as it can pave the way for development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up inside your arteries over years and cause artery blockage.

She explained: "Ghee is simply a concentrated source of saturated fat. Saturated fats are known to raise LDL cholesterol in many individuals. Elevated LDL is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. But this effect is dose-dependent, meaning quantity and frequency matter. So, intake of ghee in moderation does not worsen heart health. What matters is long term dietary patterns.

"Studies on ghee consumption show mixed results , some show mild increases in LDL or triglycerides at high intake, while others show neutral effects when intake is modest and part of a traditional diet.

"Science supports moderation, not fear mongering a particular type of food, and certainly not oversimplified statements of celebrities about arterial blockage."

Who Should Avoid Ghee?

Experts recommend those suffering from conditions such as heart, digestive and kidney issues as well as obesity to steer clear from the superfood. Cholesterol patients should also avoid ghee as it is rich in fatty acids that may increase blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease.

Lastly, those suffering from jaundice should also avoid it as it can cause major problems for the liver. Doctors suggest consuming not more than two teaspoons of ghee every day as it may pose certain health risks.

What Did Genelia Say About Her Children's Diets?

The 38-year-old mother-of-two clarified during the podcase episode that she considers ghee to be a problem when consumed in excess. D'Souza, who follows a strict plant-based lifestyle, explained that ghee, a known superfood, stays far away from her diet and instead she prefers to consume sesame seeds (til) for similar benefits.

She also addressed questions about giving up ghee and butter, stating, "I enjoyed a little bit of ghee and butter, but only in tiny portions. So when I eventually gave it up, it wasn’t a big deal," while acknowledging the sensory appeal of ghee, "I know it’s very tasty and it smells amazing."

After Indore water contamination, whose epicentre is Bhagirathpura, that led to the outbreak of diarrhea, with confirmed E coli and Klebsiella bacteria in the water, similar cases form 5 different states have come up. Madhya Pradesh has again made it to the list, now, with Bhopal's water being contaminated.

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh : Water Contamination

Residents of Greater Noida's Delta 1 Sector fell ill after consuming contaminated drinking water. This has prompted health concerns and complaints of sewage mixing in the pipe line, said officials and residents.

The residents reported symptoms like vomiting, fever, stomachache and loose motion after consuming tap water in parts of sector on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the officials of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) denied mixing of sewage with portable water supply, claiming tests conducted so far has found the water to be clean. However, Harendra Bhati, a resident of Beta 1 Sector, society located nearby, claimed that sewage overflow is a common problem in several parts of Greater Noida, as reported by NDTV.

Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat: Water Contamination

In Gujarat's Gandhi Nagar, typhoid outbreak was traced to contaminated drinking water. Residents have been affected by sewage mixing into pipelines, which were meant to deliver clean water. Official from Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, as reported by The Indian Express said that many complaint of high grade fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most of the patients are in the age group of 1 to 16.

“Various samples were taken and they showed fecal contamination,” reported The Indian Express.

Hyderabad, Telangana: Water Contamination

Four of Hyderabad's 6 water sources were found to be critically polluted, according to a study titled Assessment of Water Quality of Osmansagar, by the scholars of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). Hyderabad draws 600 million gallons water per day from six major sources, they include: Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Singur, Manjeera, Akkampally (Krishna) and Sripada Yellampalli (Godavari).

Very poor levels of pollutant have been found in Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Krishna and Godavari. As per researchers, untreated sewage from nearby residential areas are reported to flow directly into the lake. the problem is worsened due to the surrounding industries as well as pesticides and fertilizers. The researchers noted: “Fecal contamination clearly points to serious health hazards."

Also Read: Indore Water Contamination Linked to E. coli and Klebsiella Bacteria — What Are They?

Rohtak and Jhajjar, Haryana: Water Contamination

Residents from Haryana's Rohtak and Jhajjar also reported that they have been receiving dirty, foul-smelling water, sometimes even black in color. This situation has forced many families to fetch daily use and drinking water from far away areas or purchase it from private tanker.

Mayank, JE (Civil) with the Public Health and Engineering Department, said in response to an online complaint that efforts are underway to trace the source of the contaminated water supply. The problem is likely to be resolved within seven to ten days, as preliminary findings suggest a damaged household connection, currently being identified through excavation and pipeline inspections.

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Water Contamination

Groundwater samples collected from four locations in Bhopal have tested positive for E. coli bacteria. In response, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has barred residents from using groundwater for any purpose.

Read: E. Coli Detected In Bhopal Groundwater: Symptoms To Watch And How To Stay Safe

Officials clarified that the contamination is restricted to underground water sources and has not spread to the treated piped water supplied across the city. According to ANI, civic teams have tested 1,810 water samples so far and inspections are still underway in all zones.

Delhi is not just breathing toxic air, but also a superbug through its air, which was found in a latest research conducted by the researchers are Jawaharlal Nehru University, published in Nature - Scientific Reports. Apart from the heavy particulate matter or the PM2.5, which are small enough to penetrate through one's bloodstream and cause blockage, Delhi's air also contains airborne bacteria, including staphylococci. The bacteria levels exceed the safety limit by 16-fold as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to scientists most of these bacteria are methicillin resistant and unaffected by multiple antibiotic classes. This has raised concerns about the hard to treat and life threatening air that people are breathing in Delhi, also responsible for causing respiratory infections. While Delhi's AQI may have improved in the past few days and come down to 'very poor' from 'severe', high levels of particulate matter still put many people at the risk of aggravated asthma and cardiovascular disease. However, the added finding of the antimicrobial resistant superbug also adds a new layer of threat to residents.

Many have left the city already due to the toxic air. Aflah Ul Haque, a 33-year-old Media and Communications PR consultant had been living in Delhi since 2017. However, in 2024, he considered to move out. He is now living in Aligarh. While he did face difficulties to uproot himself from a metro city like Delhi, as it had become his comfort zone, it was a decision he had to take for a healthy life. Health and Me also previously reported stories of people who shifted or are actively considering shifting out of the city. Will more people consider the same move now that a superbug is found in the air? This is yet to be seen.

Read: Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic Air

What Did PM Modi Say About Antimicrobial Resistance?

India is already fighting a battle with antimicrobial resistance or AMR, with the breakthrough of Zaynich, a drug to treat AMR, there is hope, however, one still needs to be extra careful. On December 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 129th edition of "Mann Ki Baat", spoke about AMR. He pointed out that this is a matter of concern and cited data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showing that antibiotics are becoming less effective against pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He also pointed out that in India, this is a crisis due to "thoughtless and indiscriminate use of antibiotics by people".

How Was The Study That Found Superbug In Delhi's Air Conducted?

In order to understand what people might be breathing in, the researchers collected air samples from a range of everyday locations across Delhi, such as:

• Crowded market areas
• Urban slum neighborhoods
• Residential apartments
• A sewage treatment plant located within the JNU campus

Both indoor and outdoor air samples were taken during summer, monsoon and winter to track how bacterial levels and resistance patterns shifted with the seasons.

Across every setting, airborne bacteria levels were far above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit for microbial exposure. In some winter samples, bacterial counts exceeded 16,000 colony-forming units per cubic meter, which is more than 16 times higher than the WHO guideline.

What raised even greater concern was the type of bacteria detected. Many belonged to the Staphylococcus group, which includes strains linked to skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections and illnesses commonly acquired in hospitals.

According to the researchers, a large share of the airborne bacteria were identified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), meaning they do not respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among these:

73 per cent were multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to several classes of antibiotics

Many were resistant to macrolides, beta-lactams, trimethoprim, gentamicin and other commonly used drugs

Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)

Notably, 14 out of 36 multidrug-resistant samples carried the mecA gene, a well-known marker that makes bacteria resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.

Why Is Winter Smog Linked To Drug-Resistant Bacteria?

The study showed that levels of airborne drug-resistant bacteria were highest in winter, while monsoon rains led to a sharp drop in outdoor contamination.

Researchers point to a few likely reasons:

• Poor air movement in winter traps pollutants and microbes near ground level
• High levels of particulate matter may give bacteria surfaces to cling to and spread
• Cooler temperatures and lower humidity allow bacteria to survive longer in the air

On the other hand, rainfall during the monsoon appears to clear bioaerosols from the air, reducing bacterial concentrations outdoors.