If, over these last four years, you've found yourself getting sick more often ... you've got a lot of sniffling, coughing company.

An analysis by Bloomberg News found surging rates of viral and bacterial infections since the COVID lockdowns were initiated in 2020.  These are illnesses both common and rare ... ranging from higher rates of influenza to whooping cough, dengue fever and the common cold.

So what's causing all of this ... and what's the relationship to the COVID pandemic?

KNX chief correspondent Charles Feldman put those questions and more to Dr. Joshua Michaud, associate director for global health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Many countries that managed to keep their COVID infection and death rates relatively low during the pandemic ... like Canada, Germany, Japan and Singapore ... are now experiencing levels of excess mortality from all of these viral infections.

Meanwhile countries that fared pretty poorly during COVID ... like Russia, Romania and Bulgaria ... are back to what's considered normal levels of viral infections.

If, over these last four years, you've found yourself getting sick more often ... you've got a lot of sniffling, coughing company.
An analysis by Bloomberg News found surging rates of viral and bacterial infections since the COVID lockdowns were initiated in 2020.  These are illnesses both common and rare ... ranging from higher rates of influenza to whooping cough, dengue fever and the common cold.
So what's causing all of this ... and what's the relationship to the COVID pandemic?
KNX chief correspondent Charles Feldman put those questions and more to Dr. Joshua Michaud, associate director for global health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Many countries that managed to keep their COVID infection and death rates relatively low during the pandemic ... like Canada, Germany, Japan and Singapore ... are now experiencing levels of excess mortality from all of these viral infections.
Meanwhile countries that fared pretty poorly during COVID ... like Russia, Romania and Bulgaria ... are back to what's considered normal levels of viral infections.

Why is everyone getting sick more often? Deciphering the mystery of the post-COVID surge in viral & bacterial infections

A convention that brings together hundreds of square dance enthusiasts is returning for the first time since the pandemic. WBBM's Jim Gudas reports.

A convention that brings together hundreds of square dance enthusiasts is returning for the first time since the pandemic. WBBM's Jim Gudas reports.

Illinois Square and Round Dance convention returns from COVID hiatus

Health officials say a new sub-variant of the virus is spreading.

Health officials say a new sub-variant of the virus is spreading.

New Covid infections spike in L.A. County

If you're noticing more friends, family or co-workers getting sick, you should know that it could be COVID.

Researchers say they're seeing an uptick in our wastewater.

We get details from KCBS Radio's reporter Holly Quan. 

 Alvaro Moreno Perez / Getty Images

If you're noticing more friends, family or co-workers getting sick, you should know that it could be COVID.
Researchers say they're seeing an uptick in our wastewater.
We get details from KCBS Radio's reporter Holly Quan. 
 Alvaro Moreno Perez / Getty Images

The Bay Area has the highest levels of Covid according to wastewater

The Chicago Transit Authority says it has reached a ridership milestone. The CTA has been trying to grow ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic had many people working from home. 

Image source: Getty Images

The Chicago Transit Authority says it has reached a ridership milestone. The CTA has been trying to grow ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic had many people working from home. 
Image source: Getty Images

CTA reaches post-COVID pandemic ridership milestone

Are you noticing more friends, family or co-workers getting sick? 

Given what researchers are seeing in our wastewater, it could be COVID. 

The state Department of Public Health says the Bay Area has the highest levels of COVID in the wastewater of anywhere in the state. 

Details from KCBS Radio reporter Holly Quan. 

Are you noticing more friends, family or co-workers getting sick? 
Given what researchers are seeing in our wastewater, it could be COVID. 
The state Department of Public Health says the Bay Area has the highest levels of COVID in the wastewater of anywhere in the state. 
Details from KCBS Radio reporter Holly Quan.

Bay Area has the highest levels of COVID in wastewater of anywhere in CA

When was the last time you received a Covid vaccine? Because it might be time to get another one. The older vaccines are waning and new Covid variants are emerging.

To hear more, KCBS Radio's Holly Quan was joined on the KCBS Ring Central Newsline by Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Professor of medicine and Infectious disease expert at UCSF School of Medicine.

 Mirela Gherban / Getty Images

When was the last time you received a Covid vaccine? Because it might be time to get another one. The older vaccines are waning and new Covid variants are emerging.
To hear more, KCBS Radio's Holly Quan was joined on the KCBS Ring Central Newsline by Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Professor of medicine and Infectious disease expert at UCSF School of Medicine.
 Mirela Gherban / Getty Images

New Covid variants continue to emerge, encouraging new vaccines

LA's vaccination policy could be coming to an end for now.  LA City Council members will consider a proposed ordinance that would terminate its COVID-19 vaccination policy for all current and future city workers retroactive to June 2nd. 

Photo: Getty Images

LA's vaccination policy could be coming to an end for now.  LA City Council members will consider a proposed ordinance that would terminate its COVID-19 vaccination policy for all current and future city workers retroactive to June 2nd. 
Photo: Getty Images

L.A. City Council expected to end employee COVID-19 vaccination requirement

Laura Figueroa Hernandez, White House Correspondent at Newsday, joined Newsline with Brigitte Quinn to discuss Cuomo's attendance at the congressional hearing on the COVID policies for nursing homes.

Photo: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declares a state of emergency Tuesday due to the ongoing violence on July 06, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Laura Figueroa Hernandez, White House Correspondent at Newsday, joined Newsline with Brigitte Quinn to discuss Cuomo's attendance at the congressional hearing on the COVID policies for nursing homes.
Photo: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declares a state of emergency Tuesday due to the ongoing violence on July 06, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEWSLINE: Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo testifies to his decisions for nursing homes during COVID

Data released by Moderna today shows some promising results on the combined COVID and flu shot. 

In clinical trials, the shot produced a higher immune response in older adult than separate vaccines for those viruses given together. 

But it will take until at least the fall of 2025 for the combined vaccine to hit the market. 

To find out more, KCBS Radio anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising were joined by Dr. John Swartzberg, Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases at UC Berkeley School of Public of Health.

Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images

Data released by Moderna today shows some promising results on the combined COVID and flu shot. 
In clinical trials, the shot produced a higher immune response in older adult than separate vaccines for those viruses given together. 
But it will take until at least the fall of 2025 for the combined vaccine to hit the market. 
To find out more, KCBS Radio anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising were joined by Dr. John Swartzberg, Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases at UC Berkeley School of Public of Health.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images

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