Influenza is dominating the respiratory virus season on Long Island and across the country, with New York State reporting 71,123 cases of lab-confirmed flu in one week, the highest number in one week since at least 2004. While COVID-19 and RSV cases remain low, norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, is at a high level in the United States and growing according to wastewater surveillance.
Distinguishing Illnesses
Experts report seeing more gastrointestinal symptoms in people with the circulating flu strain, which can cause confusion with norovirus. Dr. Neal Shipley, medical director of Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, notes that both upper respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses tend to peak during winter season. Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, described flu as having “pushed RSV out of the way” while COVID-19 remains “like background noise.”
Symptoms and Prevention
Norovirus is not a respiratory virus but causes acute gastroenteritis of the stomach or intestines. It is highly contagious, lives on surfaces for long periods, and is resistant to many disinfectants. People with flu typically experience sore throat, fever, congestion, cough, and body aches with some stomach upset. With norovirus, symptoms are gastrointestinal-focused, with diarrhea and vomiting but not high fever or cough. Prevention includes handwashing before eating, washing dishes on high in the dishwasher, and avoiding food prepared by sick individuals.
Antiviral Treatment and Vaccination
Tamiflu is an antiviral medicine that can help interfere with the influenza virus’s ability to reproduce, particularly effective when taken within the first 24 to 48 hours of illness. It can also be used as a prophylaxis to protect high-risk individuals who live with a flu patient, though it carries gastrointestinal side effects. Experts emphasize that it is not too late to get a flu shot. Dr. Alan Bulbin, infectious disease director at Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital, stated the match with the circulating strain is not the best but there is clearly a benefit that may make the difference between staying out of the hospital and being hospitalized.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newsday.com/news/health/influenza-norovirus-flu-season-wza42agc