What kind of virus is circulating? Which disease is most prevalent? – NBC Chicago

Many Americans appear to be starting the new year feeling unwell.

According to Latest government health dataLast week, 40 states reported high or very high levels of illness. Illinois and several other Midwest states fall into the “high” category.

But which viruses are currently hitting people the hardest?

“There's a lot of influenza out there,” said Carrie Reed of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recent CDC Hospitalizations data and other indicators show that influenza viruses are on the rise more than other bacteria, Reed said. Several seasonal influenza strains are causing cases, but no one is dominant, she added.

Children's hospitals have been busy since November with the RSV outbreak, but “we've also added influenza,” said Dr. Jason Newland, an infectious disease specialist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Of course, there are many bugs that can cause fever, cough, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms. One is the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The other is RSV (RS virus). This is a common cause of cold-like symptoms, but can be dangerous for infants and the elderly.

“Now we're really starting to get going,” he added. “Our hospital is busy.”

On top of that, norovirus is spreading rapidly in parts of the U.S., including the Chicago area, and hospitals are under stress, some experts said.

“Typically, we don't really see a big hospitalization rate go up until about a week after all the holidays are over, so we usually see it in January, but for now I'll tell you guys, ER. “The emergency medicine in the hospital is really accommodating because the stitches were torn,'' Dr. Whitney Lin, chief family medicine physician at Provident Hospital Sengstack Health Center, told NBC Chicago on Monday.

Lin called the enrollment rate “alarming.”

Here's what you need to know about the current epidemic.

Other symptoms of the virus currently circulating

COVID

For now, the symptoms of coronavirus remain the same.

• cough
• sore throat
• snot
• sneeze
• fatigue
• headache
• muscle pain
• Changes in sense of smell
• traffic jam
• fever or chills
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

Previously report The focus was on underlying gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the virus.

Dr. Caitlin Jetelina, a CDC scientific consultant and epidemiologist, said that “gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea” have been identified so far as possible symptoms of COVID-19.

“Although we do not have specific data on the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms due to the current virus strain, symptoms of COVID-19 can certainly vary by variant and by individual,” Jetelina told NBC in July. told Chicago.

Last fall, a Chicago-area doctor She said she noticed changes in the most common symptoms Her patient reported that the JN.1 variant became predominant.

At the time, Dr. Chantel Tinfan, a family medicine physician at Cook County Provident Hospital Sengstack Health Center, said that many of the patients she saw at the time reported fewer fevers, body aches, and chills, and more sore throats. They also reported more symptoms of fatigue and fatigue. Then he coughs.

“We still have patients who experience loss of appetite, loss of taste and smell, so it depends,” she says. “One patient was so, so tired that he could barely do anything, and then we realized…no, it wasn't just a cough or shortness of breath. I'm seeing it.”

RSV

According to the CDC, people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after infection. The most common symptoms are:

• snot
• traffic jam
• decreased appetite
• cough
• sneeze
• heat

Symptoms usually appear in stages rather than all at once. This sign is obvious in adults, but less noticeable in young children.

RSV usually causes a mild cold-like illness, but it can also cause more serious illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

According to , other symptoms of severe cases include: Mayo Clinic.

• Wheezing – a high-pitched noise usually heard when exhaling
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing – sitting may be better than lying down
• Skin turns blue due to lack of oxygen

influenza

According to the CDC, the flu can cause mild to severe illness and can even lead to death.

“Influenza symptoms usually come on suddenly,” the CDC notes.

The most common symptoms include:

• Have a fever or feel feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle pain or body aches
• headache
• Fatigue (malaise)
• Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, which is more common in children than adults.

norovirus

In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, the most common symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, body aches, headache, and fever.

However, another thing to watch out for if you suspect you are infected with norovirus is dehydration.

“Norovirus infection can make you feel extremely sick and cause you to vomit and have diarrhea multiple times a day. This is especially true in young children, the elderly, and people with other medical conditions. May cause dehydration (loss of body fluids). CDC he pointed out.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• decreased urinary output
• dry mouth and throat
• I feel dizzy when I stand up
• Crying with few or no tears
• unusual sleepiness or irritability

Other viruses

There have also been reports of streptococcal infections and whooping cough.

Researchers are also closely monitoring another type of influenza virus, avian influenza A, H5N1. CDC say Sixty-six cases of the virus were reported in the United States last year, but none were reported last week.

Mr Reid said cases were “pretty sporadic” and the overall risk to the general public remained low. Almost all cases have been traced to direct contact with infected animals, and there is no evidence of human transmission.