This past winter, Covid tore up the playbook on infectious diseases.
In the U.S., instead of a typical flu season we experienced a record-breaking mix of invasive streptococcal infections flu, respiratory syncytial virus, Enteroviruses, and other respiratory illnesses.
The worst may not yet be over.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported an increase in human metapneumovirus. HMPV, also known as respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), is a virus that causes respiratory infections. It is spread by coughing, sneezing and touching surfaces with infected respiratory drops.
Dr. Buddy Creech is a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Creech says that most cases are mild and involve wheezing, “lots” of snot, and other symptoms.
Despite this increase, the CDC said it is unlikely that HMPV cases will rise in the summer.
In an email, a spokesman for the agency said that “HMPV activities are not extraordinary at this time.” He added that there is a low risk of HMPV spreading.
What can we expect this summer if Covid has successfully turned the tables on seasonal illness?
“You can’t predict the future but I hope we have a boring Summer,” said Dr. Anthony K. Leung an infectious disease specialist from the Cleveland Clinic.
There have been unseasonal increases in childhood illnesses like croup and strep.
Summer Travelis just beginning. As we approach summer 2023, experts are on high alert for slight increases in other viruses.
Covid
Covid is not a common virus. wastewater tests are still being conducted, but the CDC does not track cases. Covid levels are high in some areas, including New York City.
It is too early to tell if these cases will lead to a new outbreak of severe illness. The temperature will rise and people are more likely to get sick if they gather in air-conditioned rooms, or behind closed doors and windows.
It’s easy to spread, just like it is in winter, when you are indoors with others and one person has it. This was said by Jodie Guest, professor of epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta.
According to the CDC, the hospitalizations due to Covid have consistently decreased since the start of the year.
Enteroviruses
The term enterovirus covers a wide range of viruses including hand, foot, and mouth disease and the common summer cold. These viruses are spread through coughing and sneezing.
Enteroviruses can be mild and cause a variety of symptoms including rashes and fever. They may also cause loss of appetite, sore throat, and a lack of appetite.
Amina Ahmed is the chief of pediatric infectious disease and immunology, Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Enteroviruses are only severe in rare cases. Enterovirus D68 has been associated with a condition similar to polio in children called acute Flaccid Myelitis or AFM. Patients usually develop unusual weakness of their arms and legs.
In the past, there were cases every other year that would appear in late summer. If that pattern had continued during Covid’s outbreak, doctors could have predicted a rise of cases in 2021. This did not happen.
It is not clear if the virus will return to its previous patterns in 2023. Ahmed stated, “We are always on the alert.”
Other vacation bugs include Lyme disease, noroviruses and other bugs
In different parts of the world, bugs can carry a wide range of diseases.
After three years of the pandemic, a growing number of Americans are itching to travel. The urge to travel could also lead to an increased risk of travel-related illnesses, say doctors.
Leung reminded us to “remember that the world is full of surprises and unpredictability.” “Exercise precaution.”
Norovirus can cause vomiting and diarrhea for days.
These illnesses are spread by contact with infectious droplets. It’s still a good idea to wash your hands regularly. To protect others, limit your time with other people if you are sick.
Not all summer illnesses are transmitted from person to person.
Dr. Michael Angarone is an infectious disease specialist with Northwestern Medicine, Chicago. He says that the diseases we are concerned about from spring to late summer to early fall are often caused by exposure to different insects.
In tropical climates, mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile and dengue. Health officials in Florida reported on May 30 that a rare case of malaria was found after a mosquito bite.
Lyme disease cases increase in the summer. There are more than 30,000 new Lyme disease cases in the U.S. every year. The CDC issued a warning in March about the increasing cases of babesiosis – a tick-borne disease that is more common in the Northeast. Babesiosis symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headaches and body pain
- Nausea
- Muscle and joint pain
Angarone advised that if you plan to spend time in the outdoors, you should protect yourself against ticks and mosquitoes using repellents. He also recommended wearing long pants and long sleeves.
He said that the faster you remove the tick, the lower your chances of getting an infection.
Mpox
Some infectious disease experts are concerned about a slight increase in mpox in Chicago this spring as pride festivals, and other large groups gather during the summer months.
Michael Saag is the associate dean of global health at University of Alabama in Birmingham. He said that mpox “is predicted to spike a little over the summer.”
Mpox can be transmitted by close physical contact.
“Mpox does not have a season.” Guest explained that it’s all about how people gather. We want to be very clear and get people vaccinated about this.
It is especially important to do this for gay men and bisexuals, who account for the majority of cases. Mpox vaccinations and treatments are available.
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