A handy chart for telling seasonal allergies apart from respiratory illnesses, plus more measles updates and surging flu cases
March 19, 2024
Health News:
The US hit 60 cases of measles this year, surpassing last year’s total in just the first 11 weeks of 2024. (CBS)
Flu B and noro are both surging, even as COVID cases decrease. (USA Today)
The CDC issued an advisory alert to doctors urging them to ensure that kids 6 months and older traveling abroad get the MMR vaccine. (CDC)
Brisk US flu activity continues, especially in central and midwestern states, even as COVID indicators drop further. (CIDRAP)
The CDC is receiving more reports of rare multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in kids who were recently infected with COVID and will continue to monitor. (MMWR)
More than 80% of TB patients lack a consistent cough. (CIDRAP)
The Supreme Court is set to hear a pandemic-era case on free speech about COVID misinfo. (WSJ)
People who consume high quantities of ultra-processed food have increased risk of depression, anxiety, obesity, and certain cancers (and Americans consume half of their calories from them). (NPR)
Unpredictable funding threatens wastewater surveillance, a key tool for fighting viruses including polio, mpox, RSV, and COVID. (Axios)
Fungal infections are a growing threat worldwide, killing 1.7 million per year. (ABC)
President Biden ordered more funding for research on women’s health issues. (Axios)
Mental Health & Substance Use News:
Washington state may soon require all public schools to carry naloxone. (KOMO)
Depression often goes undetected in teen boys. (NBC)
Positive childhood experiences can impact future health, too - not just traumatic ones. (STAT)
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or need help, call 988 or message the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Best Questions:
What makes the measles more dangerous than COVID or flu?
Measles is very contagious - 90 out of every 100 unvaccinated people who are exposed will get the virus. But more than that, it can have incredibly severe complications, even for young, otherwise healthy children. About 1 in every 5 unvaccinated people with measles will end up hospitalized, and it can be particularly dangerous for kids. 1 in every 20 kids with measles will get pneumonia, 1 in every 1000 can have swelling of the brain that can lead to loss of hearing or intellectual disability, and anywhere from 1 to 3 out of every 1000 children infected will die. Adults aren’t out of the woods either - the risks extend beyond acute infection, including fatal nervous system issues up to 10 years after infection. Measles isn’t a simple seasonal illness, and we highly recommend that you ensure that you and your family have your MMR shots.
How can we make sure our employees aren’t staying home unnecessarily for mild seasonal allergies?
It’s important to know the difference between seasonal allergy symptoms and those of respiratory illness. Itchy, watery eyes are unique to allergies, so if someone has those, it’s generally allergy-related. If an employee normally has allergy symptoms in the spring, and there’s nothing new or different about their symptoms this year, it’s safe to assume they’re seasonal allergies and they can continue to work. Here’s a chart to help you quickly assess which symptoms are common:
