“ Quad-Demic ” hitting the United States with four upward respiratory diseases

Big rapids, Michigan – Recent figures for centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show an increase of four different viruses in the United States.

This is called a “quad-demic”, with cases increasing for the COVVI-19 virus, the syncytial respiratory virus (RSV), flu and norovirus.

According to Cathy Armstrong, supervisor of the transmitted disease program for the Kent County Health Department, it is normal to see an increase in respiratory disease at this time of year with close contact.

“Right now, we have a lot of respiratory diseases in progress, in particular the flu, the coconut and the RSV,” said Armstrong. “We see many people with these diseases.”

According to Armstrong, many of these respiratory diseases have similar symptoms. These include a cough, a headache and a flowing nose, a strong fever and difficulty breathing.

Respiratory diseases are often distributed by the direct contact of saliva, such as being close to someone who touches or sneezes.

Washing your hands in a large part of the prevention of the propagation of the disease, according to Armstrong, which noted that small children and the elderly run the most at risk of obtaining a serious illness.

“They should take additional precautions, such as the fact that family members stay at home and avoid contact with them when they are sick, are vaccinated, washing their hands,” said Armstrong. “Stay inside if they are sick and just take care of them.”

The Kent County Health Department has a plan in place to manage the increase in cases and educate their patients, according to Armstrong.