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.

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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.

People who use cannabis frequently believing it relieves stress are about to be proven wrong. A new study debunked the myth that marijuana helps alleviate stress levels.

In fact, researchers recently found that frequent cannabis users may face the risk of higher levels of cortisol, body's stress hormone.

While the study does not prove that marijuana causes chronic stress, they raise important questions about how regular cannabis use affects long-term mental and physical health.

What Did The Study Find?

The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University and published in the journal Cannabis, examined 82 young adults, including 39 frequent cannabis users and 43 non-users.

Participants provided saliva samples immediately after waking and again 30 minutes later, allowing researchers to measure the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a natural surge in cortisol that prepares the body for the day.

The researchers found that frequent cannabis users had higher cortisol levels immediately upon waking compared to non-users. However, both groups showed a similar cortisol increase during the first 30 minutes after waking.

This suggests that cannabis users started the day with an already elevated stress hormone level rather than having an exaggerated morning cortisol surge.

Also read: 10 Odd Signs Of Stress That You Thought You Knew But Don't

Cortisol Isn't Just The 'Stress Hormone'

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays several essential roles in the body. It helps regulate:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Metabolism
• Immune function
• Body's response to physical and emotional stress

A temporary rise in cortisol is normal and even beneficial. But, chronically elevated cortisol has been linked to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and impaired immune function.

Why People Use Cannabis For Stress?

Many users experience short-term relaxation after consuming marijuana, particularly due to THC's effects on the brain's cannabinoid receptors.

However, researchers say repeated exposure may gradually alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body's central stress-response network.

Over time, this could interfere with normal stress regulation, potentially creating a cycle where people increasingly rely on cannabis to cope with stress while their biological stress system becomes dysregulated.

However, researchers clarify that the study does not establish that frequent marijuana use directly causes increase in cortisol.

Also read: Could Wildfire Smoke Trigger Your Migraine? Latest Study Finds A Strong Link

The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that heavy cannabis consumption may have complex effects on mental health. Recent research has linked it with:

• Increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms
• Higher likelihood of cannabis use disorder
• Greater risk of psychosis in susceptible individuals
• Cognitive problems, including impaired memory with long-term heavy use
• Experts note that these risks appear to increase with more frequent use, higher THC potency, and younger age at first use.

Many people use marijuana to unwind after a stressful day, but this study suggests that frequent cannabis use may be associated with higher baseline stress hormone levels upon waking. This could affect one's day-to-day quality of life.

As cannabis use continues to rise worldwide, researchers say understanding its long-term effects on mental health and the body's stress response will be increasingly important, especially to bust common myths associated to its use.

Long COVID—a debilitating condition that can persist for months or even years after a SARS-CoV-2 infection—may be preventable if treatment begins early, according to a new study.

Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition marked by fatigue, cognitive impairment, exercise intolerance, and multisystem dysfunction. It has affected an estimated 400 million people worldwide and continues to have significant health, social, and economic consequences. Despite the ongoing risk, prevention strategies have received relatively little attention.

Now, a landmark randomized trial, published in The Lancet, provides some of the strongest evidence to date that early treatment with the antiviral drug Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir–ritonavir) can reduce the risk of developing Long COVID by 40%. The treatment was effective when started during the acute phase of COVID-19.

“The message is profound: what happens in the first few days of COVID-19 may determine health for months—or even years,” said researchers from the University of California, San Francisco.

The researchers added that preventing Long COVID "may become the next frontier in COVID care."

Paxlovid combines two antiviral medicines—nirmatrelvir and ritonavir—and remains one of the most effective outpatient treatments for people at high risk of severe COVID-19.

What Did the Study Find?

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial in Norway involving patients with acute COVID-19. They found that a five-day course of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir significantly reduced the risk of Long COVID three months after infection.

For the study, Long COVID was defined as patient-reported fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnea), or cognitive symptoms during the post-acute phase.

The findings provide some of the first randomized trial evidence that antiviral treatment during acute infection can lower the risk of Long COVID, supporting earlier observational studies.

Importantly, the trial was conducted during the circulation of successive Omicron subvariants, from XBB to LP.8.1, making the findings relevant to the current phase of the pandemic.

A notable finding was the high rate of Long COVID among participants. In the placebo group, 33 of 77 participants (43%) met the criteria for Long COVID despite widespread vaccine-derived immunity. While vaccination offers partial protection, the study suggests a substantial risk still remains.

Why Might Early Treatment Help?

The researchers suggest several biological mechanisms that may explain the protective effect of early antiviral treatment:

Reducing viral replication early may lower peak viral load and shorten viral shedding, both of which have been linked to Long COVID.

Early treatment may limit immune dysregulation, allowing the body's antiviral immune response to control the virus more effectively.

Treating the infection during its acute phase may prevent or reduce processes associated with Long COVID, including persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection, herpesvirus reactivation, and immune dysfunction.

The trial suggests that early viral replication may trigger "self-sustaining or persistent harmful biological processes" that contribute to Long COVID.

"Defining these relationships could yield predictive biomarkers and more targeted prevention strategies," the researchers noted.

Are There Any Side Effects of Paxlovid?

The researchers noted that nirmatrelvir–ritonavir commonly causes dysgeusia (altered taste), which may have influenced how some participants perceived their treatment and reported symptoms. They said future studies should evaluate this possibility and investigate antivirals with less distinctive side-effect profiles.

Other common side effects include diarrhea and high blood pressure (hypertension).

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Paxlovid can also interact with several commonly used medications, including statins. Patients should discuss all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements they are taking with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.

While the current study assessed participants three months after infection, the researchers said longer follow-up is needed to determine whether early antiviral treatment provides durable protection against Long COVID or simply accelerates recovery from acute illness. They also emphasized the need for larger studies to evaluate its impact on severe, disabling forms of Long COVID.

Millions of people with hypothyroidism depend on levothyroxine every day to replace the thyroid hormone their body cannot produce.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a nationwide recall of certain batches of levothyroxine sodium tablets after they were found to be subpotent, meaning they contain less active medication than stated on the label.

Experts caution that ingesting a lower-than-prescribed dose could allow hypothyroidism symptoms to return, particularly in vulnerable groups like pregnant women, infants, and people with thyroid cancer.

Why Did FDA Recall Levothyroxine?

The FDA has issued a Class II recall for specific lots of levothyroxine sodium tablets distributed by Major Pharmaceuticals. Testing found that the recalled tablets were below the approved potency specification, meaning they may not deliver the intended amount of thyroid hormone.

The recall affects multiple strengths packaged in 100-tablet cartons and 10-count blister packs. Dosages involved include 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 112 mcg, 125 mcg and 150 mcg.

The FDA has categorized the action as a Class II recall. According to the agency, a Class II recall means: "Use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

This means the recall is important but does not come under FDA's highest-risk category.

Also read: Is Your Allergy Medicine Safe? FDA Recalls Antihistamine Tablets Over Life-Threatening Contamination Concerns

Why A Subpotent Thyroid Medicine A Concern?

Even relatively small differences in levothyroxine dose can affect how well the medicine works. If they contain less hormone than needed, patients may receive insufficient thyroid replacement. Possible consequences include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Feeling unusually cold
• Constipation
• Depression or low mood
• Brain fog
• Dry skin
• Slower heart rate

In some higher-risk individuals, inadequate thyroid hormone replacement could have more severe consequences, including worsening hypothyroidism or interference with thyroid cancer treatment.

Also read: CDC's 'Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism' Webpage Sparks Debate; Republican Senator Seeks Clarity

What Does This Recall Mean For Patients?

Because thyroid hormone influences nearly every organ system, taking the correct dose consistently is essential.

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Do not stop taking levothyroxine on your own. Stopping thyroid medication suddenly can lead to worsening hypothyroidism and other complications. Instead, patients should:

• Check whether their medication's lot number matches the recalled batches.
• Contact your pharmacist or physician.
• Obtain a replacement if their medication is affected.
• Continue treatment unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Other Recently Recalled Medications

The FDA also announced recently that it is recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg made by India-based company Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories due to potential cross-contamination with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Although Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories said it has not received any reports of adverse reactions related to the recalled tablets, the contamination could pose a serious risk for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ranitidine.

The latest FDA recall serves as a reminder that quality control remains critical for medications taken every day. For anyone taking levothyroxine, experts recommend checking medication packaging against the FDA recall notice and speaking with a healthcare provider or pharmacist if there is any uncertainty.