These States Have Reached CDC’s Highest Level for Respiratory Illness

Recently, a significant increase in respiratory illnesses has been observed across the United States, impacting numerous families. The trio of culprits behind this surge include influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19. This rise in cases has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has reported a notable jump in people seeking medical attention for respiratory symptoms.

The Current Situation

According to the CDC's latest data, there has been a worrying increase in flu cases, with a 13% rise in positive tests in just one week. The flu season has been particularly harsh, with estimates showing around 5.3 million affected individuals, 54,000 hospitalizations, and 3,200 deaths. These numbers are still on the rise.

As of mid-December, more than nine states have reached the "very high" flu activity level, the highest category defined by the CDC. This is a significant jump from just a month ago when only two states were in this category. States like Georgia, Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and New York City, which reports health data separately, have reported very high levels of flu activity.

Week 50 ending Dec 16, 2023Photo byCDC.gov

The CDC's Tracking and Data Interpretation

The CDC tracks the level of flu activity by comparing current healthcare data with the norms outside of the flu season. This data primarily includes reports from individuals visiting healthcare facilities with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. However, it's important to note that this data might not exclusively represent flu cases, as it could include other respiratory illnesses like COVID or RSV. Moreover, some cases might go unreported if individuals choose to recover at home.

Differentiating Between COVID, RSV, and Influenza

One of the challenges in this health crisis is the similarity in symptoms presented by COVID, RSV, and influenza. This overlap makes it difficult to identify the specific illness without proper testing. Common symptoms include coughing, fever, and phlegm, which are prevalent in all three conditions. Understanding the subtle differences in symptoms is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm