As if January weren’t brutal enough, winter virus season (both respiratory and vomiting) is still going strong. If you’re like us, you know lots of friends and family laid low over the last few weeks.
Here’s your status update on the most high profile nasties in the US:
Influenza: HIGH (possibly peaked)
COVID-19: HIGH (probably peaked)
RSV: HIGH/MODERATE (possibly peaked)
Norovirus: VERY HIGH (probably peaked)
TL;DR: Hang in there a bit longer- the worst of the winter waves are slowly receding, and our minutes of daylight are growing. But there are still plenty of infections on the downward slope of any wave, so keep up your sensible precautions.
Check out the snapshot of what is happening in your community here.
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Influenza: Flu activity is still high. This Nerdy Girl was down with the flu over Christmas, which was NO fun (but no doubt better than if I had not gotten my shot). While flu may have peaked, the data is mixed and we can expect high activity for at least several more weeks. While getting your flu shot a month or two ago would have been ideal, don’t hesitate to go grab one at the pharmacy if you haven’t already- flu season can linger into April.
Most flu samples tested [archived link] have been Influenza A, and among A subtypes about 43% were H1N1 and 57% H3N2. Flu hospitalizations are still high but trending down, and deaths (which are a lagging indicator of activity) are still trending upward. Flu is currently accounting for more hospitalizations than COVID-19 or RSV. These numbers refer to the normal seasonal flu and are not related to the H5N1 (aka bird flu) that has been in the news (for an update on bird flu see our recent post here).
Source: Wastewater Scan [archived link]
This figure shows the test positivity for the 3 main respiratory viruses in the US, and shows that influenza is the most likely culprit if you are sick right now (but there is plenty of COVID and RSV around as well).
Source: US CDC [archived link]
COVID-19: Covid levels are high, but not as high as last summer. The US saw a sizable winter wave that *may* now declining based on wastewater data (see below). Despite what are considered “high” levels, we did not reach the levels of the big summer wave in the US, making this winter the mildest we’ve seen for COVID since the beginning. While that’s good news for this winter, given the cyclicality it couldmean we are headed for an earlier spring/summer wave this year (although we know better than to try to predict the future with SARS-CoV-2). Regardless, because COVID circulates year-round, it is NOT TOO LATE to get your updated COVID vaccine if you haven’t already. And for those who are 65 and over or immunocompromised, remember that you can get an additional COVID vaccine this season.
Source: Wastewater Scan [archived link]
RSV: RSV levels are high, but hopefully peaking. RSV shots are still recommended for newborn babies born through March and have already saved lots of babies from hospitalizations since their roll-out last year. While it’s getting late in the season, older adults [archived link]who have not yet had an RSV vaccine could also benefit, and protection from the vaccine has been shown to last at least two years.
“Norovirus (aka the winter vomiting virus): Levels are very high, much higher than the previous two seasons. A friendly reminder that norovirus cannot be killed by hand sanitizer, so lean into thorough hand washing with trusty soap and water. If someone in your home falls ill, reach for the bleach for sanitizing surfaces and linens, and try to keep them home for at least two full days to avoid spreading further (norovirus is extremely contagious, as you might learn on a cruise ship). The virus can also be aerosolized and inhaled by others from vomiting– another reason to consider masking up in confined spaces with shared air such as airplanes.
Source: Science Magazine
What can I do to protect myself from these germs?
A little prevention can go a long way… don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Routinely staying home when sick, masking in crowded spaces, filtering your air, and washing hands will give you the best chance of avoiding infection and limiting spread if you are sick. There are still plenty of infections on the downward slope of any infection wave, so it’s also not too late to get up to date on your seasonal vaccines.
The days are finally getting longer, and before you know it we’ll be past the worst of this sickness season and ready to welcome some beautiful spring weather.
Until then, stay safe and stay well!
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
