What is the ‘quad-demic’ – and how can you protect yourself?
Four illnesses are circulating in the UK this winter, in what has been dubbed the “quad-demic”.
Over a year since the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still prominent, with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) monitoring its activity levels weekly.
The governmental department also monitors levels of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus, which all peak at different times during the season.
It is these four that make up the “quad-demic”, which one NHS doctor said can affect everyone – including the “fit and healthy”.
What is the ‘quad-demic’?
The term “quad-demic” refers to the “four very common viral illnesses that circulate every winter in different peaks,” Dr David Lloyd, an NHS GP told Sky News Breakfast.
The risk and complication rate of people catching all four of these illnesses at once heightens at this time of the year, hence the term, he added.
It comes as weekly figures released by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) on Thursday showed an increase of flu, RSV and norovirus.
COVID-19 was the only one where levels remained stable, but this could change week-on-week.
Data showed that RSV – which is a common cause of coughs and colds – was circulating at “medium levels”, with “increases seen in most age groups”. Hospital admissions and A&E visits caused by RSV also increased.
Flu – or influenza – activity levels increased, with a weekly mean positivity rate of 6.5%, while norovirus increased across all age groups, with adults aged 65 or over particularly affected, according to the UKHSA.
It said reports of the winter vomiting bug between 4-17 November were “almost double” the average of the past five seasons for the same two-week period.
Dr Lloyd explained that illness in winter happens more frequently because people spend more time in their houses together and socialising over Christmas.
“This is peak time so even if you are fit and healthy, your chances of catching all of these illnesses if quite high,” he said.
How can you protect yourself?
“Vaccines work against the quad-demic,” Dr Lloyd emphasised.
In fact, by getting vaccinated you halve your risk of catching any of the four illnesses, he said.
The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four illnesses; flu, COVID-19 and, as of September this year, RSV.
The new RSV vaccine was developed as the illness can prove to be extremely dangerous for young babies and older people, especially those with heart or lung conditions, according to the NHS.
The health service said the vaccine would be a “game changer” and could typically prevent 5,000 infant hospitalisations and 2,500 adult hospitalisations.
Dr Lloyd says vaccines ‘work against the quad-demic’. Pic: iStock
Analysis of the latest NHS vaccination data showed 335 vaccinations were given for COVID, flu and RSV per minute on average from 30 September to 17 November.
This works out at around 3.4 million vaccinations a week.
In total, nearly 25 million vaccinations have been delivered for the three illnesses since rollout began in September.
Dr Lloyd added that getting only one vaccination could help protect people from other illnesses due to what is known as viral interference.
“If you have had a vaccine against one of these diseases, it is triggering your body to produce non-specific chemicals that fight viruses in general. So by having one vaccine, you are protecting yourself against others as well,” he said.
“These illnesses all occur in different peaks, so it makes sense to get the flu vaccine because that’s the one that comes earliest, that will increase your chances of being protected against the quadruple, the triple, the double and the single infection.”
How to stop the spread if you are ill?
As with any spread of germs, it is best to wash your hands with soap and water and avoid close contact with others if you are ill, the NHS advises.
If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, the NHS says not to return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
Dr Lloyd added that although mask wearing has “gone out of fashion”, wearing a face covering will also help prevent the spread.
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“We [the NHS] gear ourselves up for dealing with these illnesses every year and I think it is going to be tough,” he said.
“But if we all do the things that we are meant to do, which is get vaccinated and be sensible, I think we will all come through.”
The NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or getting help by calling 111 if you are worried about your or a relative’s symptoms.
If symptoms become more serious, it is advised to call 999 or go to A&E.
Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
Politics Live: MPs voting on historic assisted dying legislation
The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But other cabinet members like Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced and of a “slippery slope of death on demand”.
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MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
Kim Leadbeater: PA
Read More:
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Five stories that bring the assisted dying debate home
She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
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