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.
A 53-year-old man has been charged after a car was driven into a crowd at Liverpool FC’s trophy parade.
Paul Doyle, from the West Derby area of Liverpool, has been charged with seven offences, Merseyside Police said.
The businessman, who is a father-of-three, is accused of two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Paul Doyle
Doyle is also accused of two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and one count of dangerous driving.
He is due to appear before Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday.
The charges relate to six people, including two children. A wounding charge and an attempted grievous bodily harm charge relate to a child.
A police car was outside Doyle’s four-bedroom detached family home in the West Derby area on Thursday morning.
According to his social media, he has travelled extensively including Japan, Fiji, India and Australia. Doyle has posted pictures of himself competing in triathlons, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
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New Liverpool incident footage
Thousands of fans were gathered in Liverpool city centre on Monday to celebrate the Premier League champions’ title win when a car struck a crowd on Water Street.
Police said a total of 79 people were injured in the incident, with the youngest aged nine, and the oldest being a 78-year-old.
Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Forensic officers at the scene in Water Street. Pic: PA
‘Huge volume of evidence’
Chief crown prosecutor for the CPS Mersey-Cheshire, Sarah Hammond, told a news conference on Thursday that the investigation was at an early stage and a “huge volume of evidence” was being reviewed.
“This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements. It is important to ensure that every victim gets the justice they deserve.
“The charges will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.”
Police ‘working tirelessly’
Also at the briefing where the charges were announced was Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Jenny Sims, who said: “I fully understand how this incident has left us all shocked and saddened, and I know many will continue to have concerns and questions.
“Our detectives are working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism, to seek the answer to all of those questions. When we are able to, we will provide further information.”
The youngest victim injured in the Liverpool parade crash on Monday is nine years old, police have said.
They added that the oldest is 78, with all 79 people injured understood to be British. Seven remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Merseyside Police declined to say what drug the 53-year-old man arrested over the incident is alleged to have taken.
“We wouldn’t go into this detail at this stage of the investigation,” the force said.
Police at the scene in Liverpool. Pic: AP
Forensic officers in Water Street. Pic: PA
Police are still questioning the driver and were granted further time to do so on Wednesday.
Officers have until Thursday evening to question the man from West Derby.
He is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.
Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted.
Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans had turned out to celebrate their team’s Premier League title when the incident unfolded on Water Street just after 6pm on Monday.
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‘My boy in his pram, got bounced’
‘The best day of my life turned into worst’
Sky News interviewed a lifelong Liverpool fan who said his five-month-old son was “bounced” 15ft (4.6m) in his pram after they were hit by the vehicle.
The child was not counted in the police’s injury tally.
Daniel Eveson, 36, also said his partner had been driven over.
“The best day of my life turned into [the] worst,” Mr Eveson said.
He added: “Me and my partner were flat on the roof, on the bonnet… we were just both trying to hold on for dear life with Ted next to us.
“And my partner went under the wheels of the car, of the front of the car, and it rolled over her leg, and I just bounced off to the side, but my boy and his pram got bounced totally in the opposite direction – about 15ft down the road.”
Read more:
How the parade crash unfolded
Police given more time to question Liverpool suspect
Why police released ‘unprecedented’ details
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer travelled to Liverpool to meet with police chiefs and the local metro mayor.
He said he was being kept informed of developments, adding: “The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.”
Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from the King who said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident.
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