Norovirus, COVID, flu and RSV: The common symptoms and how to protect yourself

In the winter months, it seems that few are safe from some kind of illness: flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds.

While many of the germs that cause this misery can circulate year-round, scientists believe the winter surge in colds and flu may be because we spend more time indoors and the cold, dry air can weaken our defenses.

Still, medical experts in the Chicago area say the increase and rate of hospital admissions is notable.

“I would say it’s an alarming rate right now, especially after the holidays,” Dr. Whitney Lyn, senior family medicine physician at Provident Hospital’s Sengstacke Health Center, told NBC Chicago in late December.

Illinois itself remained under the “high” level of respiratory viruses during the week ending Jan. 4, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAs of January 13, “the number of acute respiratory illnesses that cause people to seek medical care is at a high level.” The data showed that COVID-19 activity is increasing across the country, along with elevated seasonal influenza activity and “very high” RSV activity.

In Illinois, COVID levels were “moderate” but increasing, while flu and RSV levels were “high” and increasing, according to the CDC.

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Children’s hospitals have been busy since November with RSV, but “flu has now joined the party,” said Dr. Jason Newland, an infectious disease specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“Now we’re really starting to roll,” he added. “Our hospitals are busy.”

Added to this is that norovirus is spreading rapidly in parts of the United States, including the Chicago area.

Here’s what you should know about the diseases currently circulating:

How do I know if I have a cold, flu, COVID-19, or something else?

Some symptoms are difficult to distinguish between diseases, especially in the case of respiratory viruses. Others are unmistakable.

— Norovirus is a foodborne illness that can spread through water and contaminated surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain for about one to three days.

– He common cold It can be caused by several different types of viruses and may cause a runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headaches, body aches, or a low-grade fever for less than a week.

– He fluCaused by flu viruses that are always changing, it causes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and feeling tired. Flu symptoms tend to appear more quickly than cold symptoms and can last from a few days to two weeks.

— COVID-19 Fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, aches, headache, nausea, or vomiting may occur for several days.

— RSV It may cause a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and loss of appetite for a week or two.

Symptoms of viruses that are spreading right now

COVID-19

For now, the symptoms of COVID remain the same:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Rhinorrhea
• sneezing
• Fatigue
• Headache
• muscle pain
• Altered sense of smell
• Congestion
• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Earlier information had focused on possible gastrointestinal symptoms related to the virus.

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

“We don’t have specific data on the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms with the current strains of the virus, but COVID-19 symptoms can certainly differ depending on the variant and the individual,” Jetelina told NBC Chicago in July.

Last fall, a Chicago-area doctor said he has noticed changes in the most common symptoms their patients reported that the JN.1 variant reached dominance.

Dr. Chantel Tinfang, a family medicine physician at Sengstacke Health Center at Provident Hospital of Cook County, noted at the time that many of the cases she saw reported less fever, body aches and chills, and had more sore throats, fatigue. and cough.

“We still see some patients experience decreased appetite, loss of taste or smell. So it kind of depends,” he said. “One patient was very, very tired. Like she couldn’t really do much. And that’s when you know… it’s different. It’s not just coughing and shortness of breath. We still see that, though.”

RSV

People infected with RSV usually develop symptoms 4 to 6 days after becoming infected, according to the CDC. The most common symptoms are:

• Rhinorrhea
• Congestion
• Decreased appetite
• Cough
• sneezing
• Fever

Symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. Signs may be obvious in adults, but less noticeable in young babies.

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

Other symptoms of severe cases include the following, depending on the Mayo Clinic.

• Wheezing: a high-pitched noise usually heard when exhaling (breathing out)
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing: The person may prefer to sit rather than lie down.
• Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Flu

The flu can cause mild to severe illness and could potentially lead to death, according to the CDC.

“Flu symptoms often appear suddenly,” the CDC says.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body pain
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in children than adults.

Norovirus

Along with vomiting and diarrhea, the most common symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, body aches, headache, and fever.

But another thing to watch out for if you suspect you have norovirus is dehydration.

“If you have norovirus illness, you may feel extremely sick and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.” he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
• Cry with few or no tears
• Unusual sleepiness or restlessness

Other viruses

There have also been reports of strep throat and whooping cough.

Researchers have also been closely watching another type of influenza virus, the H5N1 type A version of bird flu. The CDC says There were 66 human cases of it reported in the United States last year, but none of them in the last week.

Cases are “pretty sporadic” and the overall risk to the public remains low, Reed said. Almost all have been attributed to direct contact with infected animals, with no evidence of spread between people.

How to protect yourself

One way to protect yourself from all viruses: Wash your hands

Oh really. Rigorous and frequent hand washing, with soap! – is crucial to reducing the spread of norovirus, colds, flu and COVID-19.

This is especially true after using the bathroom and eating or preparing food, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Don’t accelerate either. Count to 20, slowly, while rubbing.

If you don’t have access to soap and water, try a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, although that’s not enough. to eliminate norovirus.

Cleaning surfaces can eliminate viruses

If norovirus has found you, you should immediately clean surfaces that came into contact with contaminated food or body fluids. The CDC recommends disinfecting things with a bleach solution or one of the products listed on the Environmental Protection Agency website.

Don’t forget to wash clothing that has come into contact with vomit or feces; use hot water and detergent. Then wash your hands. Again.

In case of colds and flu, it is best to periodically clean surfaces with which you come into frequent contact. Think doorknobs, light switches, countertops, beloved toys, cell phones.

Use household cleaning products containing soap or detergent, and then apply a disinfectant. The CDC has more tips on how to clean.

COVID-19 typically spreads through the air through droplets and particles, and the CDC says the risk of contracting the virus from a contaminated surface is low.

Keeping your hands away from your face can keep viruses away

Viruses can spread through talking, coughing and sneezing, so cover your mouth with a tissue if you feel a tickle in your throat or nose. Then wash your hands. Again.

Additionally, even if you are not sick, consider wearing an N95 or medical-grade mask in crowded areas to protect yourself from respiratory viruses.

Don’t touch your face: If you have a germ or virus on your dirty hands (respiratory or norovirus) and you touch your face, eyes, or nose, it can get on your mucous membranes and, voila, you’re sick!

Consider a vaccine (if available)

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available, as well as annual flu shots For people 6 months and older. For people over 60 years old or for people who are pregnant, you may want to get the RSV vaccine.

But there is no vaccine against norovirus or the common cold.

Another way to keep your defenses high against viruses: Rest

Your immune system may not work as well if you are sleep deprived, stressed, or dehydrated. So don’t get crushed if you can help it. Rest. Sleep. Drink water.

If you are sick, stay home

If you get sick, immediate testing can help determine if you have COVID-19 or the flu. It is important to see if you need one of the medications that can help prevent serious illness: Paxlovid for COVID-19 and Tamiflu for the flu.

Above all, if you have symptoms, stay home to avoid making others sick.

To treat a cold, flu, or COVID-19, rest and drink fluids. You can take pain relievers to lower your fever or help with body pain. Humidifiers can also help with symptoms.

There is no medication for norovirus. Instead, you should rehydrate as much as possible with water and other fluids. Seek help if you are dehydrated and notice that your mouth and throat are dry, you are not urinating as much, or you feel dizzy when standing.