Does Feel Like Everyone Is Sick? CDC Flags 4 Illnesses
The CDC says several respiratory illnesses are showing unusual trends this fall, including group A strep, rhinovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, walking pneumonia and whooping cough. A suburban Chicago hospital has restricted who can wait with patients in its emergency room as cases climb.
If it does feel like everyone is sick right now, federal data backs that up. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said several respiratory viruses are showing "unusual trends" for this time of year, according to reporting published November 9, 2026.
In a recent report, the agency singled out four illnesses that have recently drawn attention or are showing signs of increased activity. In some cases they are climbing at surprising rates.
A suburban Chicago hospital has limited the number of support people allowed to wait in its emergency room as respiratory cases rise. Emergency room data through Halloween showed cases of acute upper respiratory infections, sore throats, pneumonia and bronchitis.
What is going around
Group A strep infections began to rise as children returned to school this fall. The CDC said they have since started to stabilize.
"Most of these reports have involved strep throat or scarlet fever, two infections caused by group A strep bacteria," the agency noted. It added that the bacteria can also cause serious infections, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, sometimes called "flesh-eating disease."
Rhinovirus and enterovirus cases are "elevated nationally," CDC data showed. Respiratory adenovirus (HAdV) is "elevated in some regions of the country."
The CDC said such trends are "expected for this time of year." They could still be behind a surge in coughs, fevers, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. More severe infections can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.
"There are no vaccines available to the public for these illnesses. Prevention measures include hand washing, cleaning surfaces, and staying home when sick," the CDC said.
Chicago area and other infections
Medical experts in the Chicago area have reported a rise in rhinovirus and enterovirus. Dr. Emily Landon, executive medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at UChicago, said in October: "You probably have rhino enterovirus, and probably not influenza. There is a pretty nasty round of rhino entero going around right now."
Cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterial infection also known as walking pneumonia, are low in most of the country, according to emergency department visits and testing. The CDC said it could still be behind a chest cold or some cases of pneumonia.
Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, is circulating at levels below the post-pandemic peak, the CDC said. Babies younger than 1 year face the highest risk of severe disease and complications.
"The best way to prevent complications from whooping cough is to get vaccinated," the CDC wrote.
