Why Everyone Is Getting Sick

If it seems like everyone around you is getting sick, you’re not imagining it. Flu season is hitting the United States unusually early and much harder than it usually does. Covid precautions led to much lower rates of flu-like illnesses compared to before the pandemic. But now that much of America has abandoned preventative measures such as masking, more people than before Covid are getting sick with seasonal illnesses.

"I'm scared about what's going to happen this flu season because I don't think we've ever seen a coalition of multiple viruses kind of manifesting in this way before," said Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne, an emergency medicine doctor and associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

One of those flu-like illnesses is Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, which is most severe in young children, the elderly and immune compromised individuals. There have been more reported cases of RSV in each week of October this year than any other week in the past two years. Doctors around the country are raising the alarm about hospitals being overwhelmed.

Watch the video above to learn more about why this flu season is starting off with a surge and what we can do about it.

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Why Everyone Is Getting Sick

[RockyC]

Whole family got sick in mid September. That cough was wicked, lasted close to 5 weeks. Stay safe folks.

[thejecs]

As a teacher I've been noticing that every two weeks there's a new virus making the students (and us) sick, some cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems, others cause respiratory problems, etc. You can tell everyone's immune system is weaker.

[sara-hzfk]

Can we please start to address and ask the question. Why are so many people getting sicker and we're seeing things we've never seen before? Is there a common action in recent time that might be affecting people?

[MalonsMilk]

I’m just getting over the flu and it was brutal. Fever, chills, hacking cough, aches and pains and no want to eat at all. I just have the hacking cough that keeps me awake at night and my appetite is still non existent. I’m down to 7.5 stone which I think is around 10 pounds. I just want to feel normal again.

[austinhernandez]

All 3 of my siblings and my mom got the flu. Luckily I didn't somehow, even while taking care of my brother. I have a good immune system, I almost never get sick.

[Tori_T_Artist]

there's noticeably less kids at school, seems to be an every 2 week basis. He gets sick, she gets sick, they get sick...suddenly half the class is gone.

[michaelamelton-berry]

Did I miss the part where they talked about eating real food and exercising as part of prevention of illness?

[MrsJC]

I've been sick in November alone. I usually only get sick once a year.

[chuckmurray]

This is spot on. I've got Influenza right now and it's been brutal. I have not been this sick in 20 years. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. I think I'm turning the corner as this is the first day with fever below 100. I guess no one got sick while we were all wearing masks so it's now a situation where we are more likely to catch something airborne. Ironic that I was infected on the same day I got my flu shot. I got my flu shot and went into work to relieve an employee who was sick and needed to go home. I'm quite sure I was infected by that employee. People need to stay home when they are sick.

[FDXHOMEDEL]

We all know why people are sicker than ever, and we also know that reason is never going to be discussed in this video.

[roofingandcontractingsolut]

Everyone complaining about getting sick, I guarantee you all have 1 thing in common.

[ilmatt]

Been sick three times within the past two months. I’ve always had a slightly weaker immune system but I never thought I would be this sick in one season. Then again, it’s the first year I’m working at a grocery store in an urban setting which probably isn’t helping 🫠

[OneDullMan]

My strategy is to avoid crowds whenever possible. Fortunately I live in a small Village and it is fairly easy to do so.

[ruelongcha]

I had covid and some awful respiratory virus back to back this season after not being sick for years. what’s worse is that entire departments in my local hospital have some sort of respiratory illness right now, so not only is there higher demand from the patients but healthcare workers are increasingly short staffed!!

[nooa]

It's super weird that the unV'd aren't getting sick REPEATEDLY...

[cmdr]

Went from working in the field to an office. Never was sick before because we were outside and physically distanced. Worked with the same 5 people for weeks. Now I meet 5 ppl in a single meeting

[TheLg]

Caught RSV from a kiddo weeks ago. Turned to pneumonia, kids and husband then got sick as well. My kids who are hardly ever sick have been sick at least once a month since august.

[johnsonpaul]

overall health in the USA sucks. Healthy and unvaxed people for the most part are just fine

[lauralove]

my brother brought it home from his boss then I caught it then my mum then today my sister has it. it's the worst ever, starts off with a runny itchy nose well it did for me then the next day wham all the other symptoms just turn up at once. Thing we've all noticed is that some times you think youre getting better but then you cough and suddenly all the symptoms come up again. this is horrible I hope we are better for christmas and everyone in the comments too

[chrisbenj]

Currently on day 2 of the flu. I can’t explain it. I feel like I’m on a death bed.