Newly updated data from the CDC shows respiratory illness activity is increasing in the U.S. with COVID and flu hospitalizations rising and RSV hospitalizations stable.

Respiratory illness activity is elevated or increasing across most areas of the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In total, 15 states plus New York City are experiencing “high” or “very high” levels of respiratory illness activity, defined as people going to the doctor with symptoms from any respiratory disease including flu, COVID, RSV and the common cold.

COVID-19 and flu hospitalizations appear to be trending upward while RSV hospitalizations appear to be to be stable, the data shows.

  • Wooster@startrek.websiteEnglish
    55·
    2 years ago

    Covid vaccination is at an all time low since roll out, we have new strains, and everyone is back from sharing bugs with relatives at Thanksgiving.

    Christmas is up soon.

    • lennybird@lemmy.worldEnglish
      352·
      2 years ago

      Working at a hospital, what I’m seeing isn’t so much covid yet in our region but positive tests for rhinovirus - the common cold. This is turning into croup, causing wheezing and bronchitis and massive coughing fits for weeks on end.

      I should know. My household also has it…

      Not to say flu and covid isn’t circulating, too, however.

      Friendly reminder that proper nasal irrigation with distilled water, hypertonic saline solutions (isotonic is still helpful if you can’t take the burning) along with gargling saltwater can reduce symptoms, duration, or advancement into the lungs.

      • Chetzemoka@startrek.website
        9·
        2 years ago

        Also working at a hospital, we’re definitely seeing Covid, and a surprising amount of RSV in older folks. Not a ton of flu yet, but that may be because flu vaccine has good uptake in the elderly population here.

      • lingh0e@sh.itjust.works
        7·
        2 years ago

        I just got over exactly what you described. No fever, negative covid tests, but uncontrollable coughing and a crackling wheeze that stuck around for a month and a half. Doctors put me through two rounds of antibiotics and cough suppressants. And I’m still not entirely out of the woods yet.

        • lennybird@lemmy.worldEnglish
          11·
          2 years ago

          Sorry to hear that. I’ve been dealing with this crap for only a week so far and I’m not at the point of needing antibiotics yet but it could very quickly turn that way… Coughing so much your diaphragm is sore sucks. Maybe I’ll get some ab definition lol.

    • scottywh@lemmy.world
      141·
      2 years ago

      I’ve managed to avoid it for nearly 4 years but my son brought it home from high school last Friday and I finally tested positive yesterday… Feeling pretty crummy today but I’m confident it would have been significantly worse if I weren’t vaccinated.

      • Revonult@lemmy.world
        4·
        2 years ago

        Get antivirals asap. They are a covid gamechanger. Need to start taking them within a day or two of symptoms but most states have a service you call, same day appointment over phone, and prescribed.

  • derf82@lemmy.worldEnglish
    221·
    2 years ago

    I have the new COVID shot and the flu shot, and I still caught a nasty bug that has knocked me out days. Severe sore throat, cough, and sinus congestion. Took 2 COVID tests, both negative.

    • gothic_lemons@lemmy.world
      101·
      2 years ago

      My 3rd one finally came back positive. My pet theory is a new covid that is taking longer to show on tests. But my evidence is literally me and a friend. So you know don’t take my word for it

    • ChexMax@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 years ago

      I had two negative COVID home tests, then tested positive at the doctor’s, for whatever it’s worth

  • piecat@lemmy.world
    121·
    2 years ago

    Anecdotal hearsay, but I heard there’s a respiratory bug going around that may be bacterial. Antibiotics were apparently effective.

    • TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee
      12·
      2 years ago

      everything’s going around, including strep which is bacterial, and covid flu rsv rhinos etc which are not

      • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
        5·
        2 years ago

        Yeah, it’s December. It’s arguably one of the busier months of the year, everyone has plans, and every day you’re rolling the dice, especially if you have kids. I just want to get through New Year’s, when the winter really hits.

  • pan_troglodytes@programming.devEnglish
    43·
    2 years ago

    havent seen that in the pnw, yet - though a flu bug is making its rounds, I had it this week and was down for most of the week. or maybe it was covid. similar symptoms

    • vivadanang@lemm.eeEnglish
      6·
      2 years ago

      puget sound here - we’ve had waves of covid and rsv come through the schools. and practically no one wears a mask lol. fml

      I tested 4 times, 3 negative for covid, one positive, a couple months back. It’s def out there, but I think the older style tests aren’t as good at catching it early.

      :| glad I was able to get my booster recently though.

      • Pretzilla@lemmy.world
        22·
        2 years ago

        You didn’t need a covid booster so soon after testing positive, just for future reference.

        And just ignore the negative results - the RATs have a high false negative rate so that’s expected. Yea, they need the stars to align to show positive.

        • vivadanang@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          You didn’t need a covid booster so soon after testing positive, just for future reference.

          perhaps but I didn’t want to wait until any natural antibodies waned before trying to find a covid booster in the middle of the winter.

    • kinther@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 years ago

      Seattle here and got a cold the other week from work. Everyone was coughing and sneezing. Felt like crap the following day