Why So Many People Are Sick This Winter

Everyone around you is sniffling, sneezing, or calling out of work. You're not imagining it.

COVID-19, flu, and norovirus—the stomach bug—are all circulating right now. Health agencies use wastewater data to track what's spreading. They measure pathogens in sewage to see what's going around. Sounds gross, but it works great.

Here's what to know if you're hoping to stay healthy for the holidays.

Norovirus Is High

Norovirus is highly contagious and causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. Often called the "stomach bug" or "stomach flu," though it's not related to actual flu.

Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping. Sometimes fever, headache, body aches.

Wastewater data from WasteWaterSCAN reported norovirus activity as "high" nationally the week ending December 12. That's a 42% increase compared to November.

CDC data through December 6 showed 9.37% of norovirus tests came back positive. The disease has been increasing since September, which is typical for viruses that spread during colder months. Last year it peaked in February.

So if you haven't got it yet, don’t get too comfortable.

Flu Is Climbing

Influenza A concentrations increased 260% since November. Even so, flu activity is still "low" nationally according to the CDC.

CDC data through December 6 showed 8.05% of flu tests came back positive. In some regions—Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming—that number was over 20%.

The Northeast and South are officially in flu season now with higher concentrations than the rest of the country.

Flu infections are rising in 43 states. Unchanged in seven states. No states reported a decline.

Flu symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, headache, fatigue.

COVID Never Left

COVID-19 infections are rising as winter hits. COVID activity was "high" nationwide the week ending December 12, according to WasteWaterSCAN. That's a 21% increase since November. Strain XFG (Stratus) is most common.

The CDC categorized COVID activity as "low" on December 6. The highest rate of infections is in the Northeast. Several states didn't report data or reported limited data, which creates discrepancies. Additional CDC data showed 3.61% of COVID tests were positive.

COVID infections are growing or likely growing in 22 states. Declining in four states. Not changing in 21 states.

COVID symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle aches, headache.

Basically, the same as flu, which makes figuring out which one you have real fun.

How to Not Get Sick

Wash your hands. Often. With hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

Do this before and after eating, after handling food, after using the bathroom, after being around sick people, or touching surfaces that could be contaminated.

For norovirus, food safety helps. Cook food thoroughly to at least 145 degrees. Clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.

None of this is new information. But people keep getting sick, so apparently it needs repeating.

Vaccines Help

The most effective way to prevent serious illness from flu and COVID is vaccination.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for the flu vaccine unless they have a medical condition like an allergy to its ingredients.

COVID vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older based on individual decision-making after consulting with a healthcare provider. Recent changes have made it more of a personal choice thing.

CVS and Walgreens offer vaccine appointments online and accept walk-ins. Both let you get multiple vaccines at once. Most insurance companies cover the cost entirely. The RSV vaccine is also available at major pharmacies.

The Reality

Norovirus is high. Flu is climbing. COVID is still around.

Wash your hands constantly. Get vaccinated if you haven't. Avoid people who are coughing near you.

And prepare for the possibility that someone at your holiday gathering is going to be sick. Because based on the data, it's pretty much guaranteed. Most of this peaks in February. So, by Valentine's Day, things should calm down.

Until then? Two more months of everyone you know getting sick. Including probably you at some point.

Welcome to winter. Wash your hands and good luck out there.

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