CDC Says Mississippi is One of Thirty-Five States with Quademic Risks

It always happens this time of year.

The coughing, sniffling, and sneezing always seems to pop up around the office when the cold weather rolls in.

We all know the usual suspects like the flu and the common cold but newer respiratory viruses at large like Covid-19 and Norovirus has introduced a new term Quademic.

“Quademic refers to the flu, covid, RSV, and the norovirus that is going around right now.” – Dr. Racheal Butler, owner of Butler Pharmacy

It’s usual to see an uptick in respiratory viruses this time of year but this year Mississippi is seeing a higher amount of cases than usual.

“I’ve definitely seen an uptick in prescriptions and patients being sick with the respiratory virus that are mainly linked to the Quademic viruses. I have mainly seen prescriptions of steroids. Not really antibiotics because it’s not bacterial it’s more viral. So if a patient has symptoms but doesn’t test positive for the flu or RSV they will likely be given steroids to limit inflammation or medication that helps with fevers, chills, or nausea.”

With infection numbers on the rise this could put those who are vulnerable to these viruses at risk.

“More of our immunocompromised community and also the elderly. They are more susceptible to contracting viruses and being highly contagious. Children are also at risk as they often put things in their mouths and don’t wash their hands as well as we do.”

So if you want to avoid the Quademic this year here are the best ways to do so.

“Whenever I give recommendations my number one advice is immune boosting. So taking things like zinc, vitamin c, and elderberry. Masking up is also important as that is the easiest way to like the spread of viruses.”