The Flu, Norovirus, Other Respiratory Viruses Are Everywhere: Here’s What You Need to Know
BU Chief Health Officer Judy Platt on how to reduce your risk of getting sick and what to do if you become ill

Reported cases of flu are increasing across the United States. Photo via iStock/sestovic
The Flu, Norovirus, Other Respiratory Viruses Are Everywhere: Here’s What You Need to Know
BU Chief Health Officer Judy Platt on how to reduce your risk of getting sick and what to do if you become ill
- It’s not too late to get a flu shot. Student Health Services and the Occupational Health Center are still offering them.
- You can take simple steps to reduce your risk of catching and spreading the viruses that are circulating right now by washing your hands regularly after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces, wearing a mask in crowded spaces, and staying home, getting rest, and staying hydrated when you are sick.
- Students can reach out to Student Health Services through their online portal, Patient Connect, to schedule appointments and ask a nurse questions if there are concerns about their illness.
- For life-threatening emergencies on campus, call BUPD at 617-353-2121.
It’s being called a “quad-demic.” Four viruses—all of them highly contagious—are sweeping across the country, flooding emergency rooms and doctors’ offices. Of particular concern right now is norovirus, sometimes referred to as “stomach flu,” which causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration. Cases in November and December more than doubled across the country over the same period last year, abetted by a new strain of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that in years where there is a new strain—as there is this year—there can be up to 50 percent more norovirus illness.
In addition, a trio of respiratory illnesses—influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are on the rise. The CDC reports that as of January 13, “the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is at a high level.” The center reports that COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas of the country, and that seasonal influenza activity remains elevated across the country. In addition, they report that “RSV activity is very high in many areas of the country, particularly in young children.”
Meanwhile, vaccination rates for flu and COVID remain low: only 18.2 percent of Massachusetts residents have received a COVID vaccine this season and only 35.7 percent have received a flu vaccine. And only 113,000 residents have received a vaccine or monoclonal antibody treatment for RSV. All of this comes as local hospitals reinstate mandatory mask-wearing for staff and, in some cases, for patients and visitors.
As students return to campus for the start of the 2025 spring semester, BU Today spoke with Judy Platt, chief health officer and executive director of BU Student Health Services, about what’s behind the so-called “quad-demic,” steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting ill, and what to do if you become sick.
Q&A
with Judy Platt
BU Today: Let’s begin with norovirus. What is it and how does it spread?
Platt: Norovirus is often called the stomach flu, even though it is not actually caused by influenza. It is a gastrointestinal—or GI—illness and is considered the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States. Norovirus is also the most common foodborne illness—which means that the virus can contaminate food through contact with infected people, contaminated water, or contaminated surfaces.
BU Today: What’s behind the current surge in cases here in Massachusetts and across the country?
Platt: Norovirus is extremely contagious. Per the CDC, it typically causes around 20 million cases each year in the US alone. Outbreaks are more common in winter and spring. There are several factors that make norovirus so contagious. Infected people can shed billions of viral particles in their vomit and stool, and it does not take many particles to infect someone else and make them sick. The virus is also very difficult to kill and resistant to regular household cleaners and wipes. And even after symptoms resolve, people can still shed the virus in their stool for days to weeks. Like other viruses, norovirus can evolve and new strains can arise. Currently, the new strain of virus that is thought to be responsible for the current surge in outbreaks is called GII.17.
BU Today: Are there things we can do to reduce the risk of contracting norovirus, and what should you do if you get it?
Platt: 1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (and use soap, as hand sanitizers aren’t as effective against norovirus).
2. If you do vomit or have diarrhea, disinfect nearby or affected surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution (one cup of bleach with one gallon of water). Standard disinfecting wipes like Clorox and Lysol will not be effective against norovirus.
3. Be aware that people can shed virus for days to weeks after infection.
4. Norovirus can withstand temperatures as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is important to cook seafood thoroughly.
5. Fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked before serving should be washed thoroughly.
6. If you get norovirus, be careful to avoid dehydration; sip fluids, especially those with electrolytes like Gatorade.

BU Today: If a student is concerned about their illness, what should they do?
If you have concerns about dehydration or prolonged symptoms from norovirus, reach out to Student Health Services. Call our office at 617-353-3575 or send a message to one of our nurses through the Patient Connect portal.
BU Today: Cases of flu are also on the rise. What are the symptoms to look for there?
Symptoms tend to come on quickly and can include a fever and/or chills, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and a runny or stuffy nose. In some instances, people may experience vomiting or diarrhea, but that is more likely to occur with children.
BU Today: What should you do if you have the flu?
It’s important to remember that most people with flu experience only mild illness and don’t need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you do get sick with the flu, stay home, rest, hydrate, and avoid contact with other people. If you have emergency warning signs, you should go to your local emergency room. Those signs include trouble breathing, chest pain, seizures, severe muscle pain, an inability to urinate, a fever or cough that goes away but then returns or gets worse, severe weakness, and a worsening of chronic medical conditions like diabetes.
Flu can also cause pneumonia or sinus infections. A doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug which can reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the virus.
BU Today: How is the flu different from a common cold? How can you tell the difference?
A cold tends to come on more gradually; the flu, more quickly. It’s rare to have a high fever or chills with a common cold. Those symptoms are more common to the flu. Headaches are also more common with the flu than with a cold.
BU Today: Only about a third of Massachusetts residents have received a flu vaccine this season. Is it too late to get a flu shot?
No, it’s not too late. Students can book appointments online through Patient Connect to receive the vaccine at our main office at 881 Commonwealth Ave. Student Health Services is also holding immunization clinics Wednesday, January 24, through Friday, January 27, from 9 am to 3 pm at FitRec (use the 3-Court Gym entrance across from 25 Buick St.). The clinics will also offer MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus (Tdap), meningitis, hepatitis B, varicella, and HPV vaccines. Again, students should book an appointment through Patient Connect, though some walk-in appointments will be available.
Free flu vaccination is still available to employees through the BU Occupational Health Center, located at 930 Commonwealth Ave. Employees can call their main line (617-353-6630) to make an appointment.

BU Today: Are the immunization clinics for students free?
For students who have the Student Health Insurance Plan, there is no cost to receive the flu vaccine. For students who have other insurance, SHS will provide a receipt that can be sent to their insurance company for reimbursement.
BU Today: Cases of other respiratory illnesses like RSV and COVID-19 have been increasing, as well. Again, how can you tell these viruses from the common cold?
Upper respiratory illnesses can share some of the same symptoms, so it’s not always obvious which virus you have based on symptoms. A good resource is this one from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
BU Today: Most students have roommates. If you share a room or apartment with roommates who have one of these illnesses, what can you do to reduce your risk of getting sick, too?
Hand hygiene, wearing a face mask when feasible, and circulating fresh air can help. If temporarily staying with a friend or off campus is possible, that’s another option. We know that it can be very difficult to prevent illness in such close quarters. Keeping up with basic immune support efforts like getting at least eight hours of sleep at night, staying hydrated, and eating nourishing and balanced food can also help.
BU Today: Speaking of mask-wearing, a number of local hospitals including Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, and Beth Israel Lahey, are now requiring staff to wear masks and are strongly urging patients and visitors to do the same. Should we be wearing masks when on the T and in other crowded venues?
Mask use can be very helpful as a prevention tool, especially in crowded spaces where the chances of circulating upper respiratory viruses are more likely. Student Health Services always offers masks at our front door and encourages anyone with respiratory symptoms to mask up!
BU Today: Is there anything else one can do to reduce their risk of getting any of these viruses?
It’s important to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines. Doing so lowers the risk of becoming seriously ill or needing to be hospitalized. Practice good hygiene and seek healthcare promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.
Comments & Discussion
Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.