Is US Preparing For A Quademic 2025?

Updated Jan 15, 2025 | 03:10 PM IST

SummaryQuademic 2025: 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.
Is US preparing for a quademic?

Credits: Canva

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.

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Ozempic & Wegovy Maker To Evaluate Long-Acting GLP-1 Implant That Could Last Up To A Year

Updated Jul 9, 2026 | 08:14 AM IST

SummaryNovo Nordisk has recently demonstrated interest in the manufacture of GLP-1 implant that could keep delivering semaglutide for several months continuously.
Ozempic & Wegovy Manufacturer To Evaluate Long-Acting Semaglutide Implant That Could Last Up To A Year

Credit: AI

Novo Nordisk, the maker of GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy, is currently exploring a new way to deliver weight-loss treatment that could reduce the need for weekly injections.

The Danish pharma company has partnered with Vivani Medical to evaluate an experimental long-acting GLP-1 implant (semaglutide) that could release the medication continuously for up to a year.

If successful, it could mark a significant step toward making GLP-1 drug more convenient for people living with obesity.

What Is The Semaglutide Implant?

The implant, known as NPM-139, is a miniature device developed using Vivani's proprietary NanoPortal technology. Rather than requiring patients to inject semaglutide every week, the tiny implant is placed beneath the skin and slowly releases the medication over an extended period.

According to Vivani, the goal is to provide consistent drug delivery with once- or twice-yearly dosing, with the long-term ambition of supporting treatment that could last up to a year from a single implant. However, the technology is still in development.

Adam Mendelsohn, Ph.D., President and CEO of Vivani Medical said, “The new agreement announced today supporting our semaglutide implant program in chronic weight management demonstrates Novo Nordisk's interest in evaluating our technology and its lead semaglutide application. This agreement reinforces our confidence regarding the market opportunity for our GLP-1 implants under development. We believe that our NanoPortal implants under development, including NPM-139, could address a growing segment of patients who would prefer a convenient once- or twice-yearly treatment option and the peace of mind that treatment could be stopped at any time if that became necessary.”

Also read: Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Available in UK Pharmacies From Today: All You Should Know

Why GLP-1 Implant Could Be Groundbreaking?

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed obesity treatment by helping people lose significant amounts of weight while also improving blood sugar control. However, these medications require regular injections, which can affect long-term adherence.

Research has shown that many patients discontinue GLP-1 therapy within the first year because of factors like treatment fatigue, gastrointestinal side effects, cost, and the inconvenience of ongoing injections.

An implant capable of delivering semaglutide continuously for months together could help by reducing dosing frequency and maintaining more consistent drug levels.

The Rise Of GLP-1 Therapies In Obesity Treatment

The obesity drug market is rapidly evolving. With the advent of GLP-1 medications, the number of users who have tried this therapy is at an all-time high. According to Gallup's latest National Health and Well-Being Index, 11% of U.S. adults currently use a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. In 2024, this number was just 3%.

The survey also said that 15% of adults have tried a GLP-1 medication at some point, compared to the 6% from two years ago.

With the ever-increasing demand, researchers are investigating oral GLP-1 medicines, monthly injections, combination therapies, and now long-acting implants that could reduce the number of treatments patients need each year.

While the yearly semaglutide implant is still an experimental concept, Novo Nordisk's decision to evaluate the technology highlights growing industry interest in making obesity treatment simpler and easier for patients to maintain in the long run.

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Bryan Johnson Plans To Create 'Bryan In A Dish' Living Lab To Test Experimental Autoimmune Treatments

Updated Jul 9, 2026 | 07:22 AM IST

SummaryBryan Johnson recently revealed his bold plan to 'cure' his recently diagnosed Autoimmune Gastritis. It includes creating a living lab using his immune cells.
Bryan Johnson Plans To Create 'Bryan In A Dish' Living Lab To Test Experimental Autoimmune Treatments

Credit: Instagram

Last week, biohacker and longevity entrepreneur Bryan Johnson shared a shocking health update with his followers. He said that he has been diagnosed with Autoimmune Gastritis (AIG), a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the stomach lining. In an X post, he said, “My stomach is eating itself.”

After his post received millions of reactions, he shared his ambitious plan to treat his autoimmune gastritis.

How Is Bryan Johnson Planning To ‘Cure’ His Autoimmune Gastritis?

One of the most unusual aspects of Bryan’s AIG treatment plan is creating a miniature version of his immune system called ‘Bryan In A Dish'. He said that scientists will collect and cryopreserve (freeze) a large sample of his immune cells for two purposes.

First, researchers plan to recreate a miniature version of Johnson's immune system in a laboratory dish. This living model would allow scientists to test experimental drugs and personalized therapies directly on his own immune cells before administering them to him, potentially reducing risks while helping identify the most promising treatment.

Second, the frozen cells could preserve cellular material that may support future targeted rejuvenation or precision medicine therapies.

While scientists have long used “disease-in-a-dish" models to study diseases and drugs, Bryan’s “Bryan in a dish” goes a step further by creating a personalized immune system model using his own preserved cells to test experimental autoimmune treatments before they are used in his body.

Also read: At 2026 NATO Summit, Trump's Neck Rash and Bruised Hand Draw Attention; White House Responds

Other steps in his plan includes:

  • Mapping the immune system:

Johnson plans to sequence one million of his immune cells to identify the specific T-cells that are mistakenly attacking his stomach lining.

  • Capturing the rogue immune cells:

He will undergo another stomach biopsy to collect live tissue, allowing researchers to match the harmful T-cells with the immune cell mapping data.

  • Building an early warning system

Johnson intends to have blood tests every two weeks and combine the results with wearable health data to detect disease flare-ups before symptoms appear. He said that this is essential as the condition presents without any symptoms.

  • Develop precision therapies

After identifying the rogue immune cells, researchers will test personalized treatments designed to stop only those harmful cells while preserving the healthy immune system.

Bryan Johnson's Autoimmune Gastritis Diagnosis

Despite years of optimizing his body, Bryan’s Johnson’s autoimmune gastritis diagnosis shocked the internet. While his strict routines, meticulous diet, and million-dollar anti-ageing protocol continue to inspire millions, they also receive equal amounts of skepticism and criticism.

Johnson recently revealed that he had struggled with persistently low iron for nearly 11 years, despite taking supplements.

He said that a detailed evaluation confirmed autoimmune gastritis, an illness that damages the acid-producing cells of the stomach. The condition can impair absorption of iron and vitamin B12 and may increase the long-term risk of gastric cancer.

He also disclosed that he has autoimmune thyroid disease, suggesting that multiple autoimmune conditions may be interconnected in his case.

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West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in US; Why Health Officials Are Urging People to Stay Vigilant

Updated Jul 9, 2026 | 06:28 AM IST

SummaryAmid early arrival of West Nile virus season in the US, health officials recently detected the virus in mosquitoes in Fulton County.
West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in US; Why Health Officials Are Urging People to Stay Vigilant

Credit: AI

Health officials in the United States are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites after West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in mosquitoes in Grant Park, Fulton County, Georgia, marking the region’s first confirmed detection of the season.

The discovery has prompted local health authorities to increase mosquito surveillance and control measures while reminding the public that preventing mosquito bites remains the best defense against infection.

Early Warning For West Nile Virus

The latest detection comes amid an early arrival of West Nile virus season in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 56 human cases of West Nile virus disease had been reported nationwide as of July 7, 2026, with broader virus activity detected in mosquitoes, birds or animals across multiple states.

Although no human cases have been linked to the Fulton County detection so far, finding the virus in mosquitoes serves as an important early warning. Mosquito surveillance allows public health officials to identify where the virus is circulating before people become ill.

Once infected mosquitoes are detected, authorities can increase larviciding and spraying operations, monitor mosquito populations more closely, and alert residents to reduce their risk of exposure.

Similar detections have also been reported in other parts of the country in recent days. Connecticut recently confirmed its first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the year, while Texas reported its first human case of neuroinvasive West Nile virus after weeks of detecting infected mosquito samples.

Also read: Walked Through Floodwater Recently? 5 Things To Do After Reaching Home To Minimise Risk Of Infections

About West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that belongs to the flavivirus family, the same group that includes the viruses causing Dengue fever, Zika virus disease, Yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis.

It is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds, which are the virus's first host. About 80% infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. About 20% develop West Nile fever.

Its common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Body and muscle aches
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash on the trunk or back
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Also read: Shingles Vaccine May Help Fight Dementia, Suggest Studies

The disease could become serious in a few infected people who may develop its neuroinvasive disease. The symptoms of severe West Nile virus include most of the commons ones as well as:

  • Neck stiffness
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Tremors
  • Loss of coordination
  • Vision problems
  • Seizures
  • Paralysis
  • Coma (rare case)

Why Health Officials Are Asking People To Stay Vigilant?

Authorities stress that there is currently no human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus. Prevention, therefore, depends largely on avoiding mosquito bites and reducing mosquito breeding sites.

Officials recommend that residents:

  • Use repellents containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, particularly during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Remove standing water from containers, flowerpots, buckets, bird baths and clogged gutters where mosquitoes can breed.
  • Ensure doors and windows have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

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