Although it’s the festive season, this time of year also brings about common illnesses like the flu affecting households across the United States.
It is expected for flu and Covid-19 cases to peak during winter months, but this year a ‘super flu’ has emerged, spreading more than in previous years.
The official name for this flu strain is H3N2, one of two predominant influenza strains. While H3N2 encompasses a larger group of viruses, the subtype ‘K’ is currently the most prevalent strain in the US and is also affecting the UK significantly.
This combination can lead to more severe illness than other flu strains, particularly impacting older individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Due to the rising number of cases, this strain has been termed the ‘super flu’.
The flu, unlike the common cold, tends to develop suddenly and rapidly.
It can cause a variety of symptoms, including extreme fatigue and fever.
H3N2 typically presents symptoms similar to other seasonal flus, such as cough, runny nose, body aches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Generally, the flu can be treated at home with sufficient rest and hydration. Symptoms usually improve or resolve completely within five to seven days.
However, individuals with severe symptoms like high fever, dehydration, or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
“The flu is not just a cold. It can be quite severe,” Hopkins added.
The H3N2 subclade K has been identified in more than half of the US states, and experts warn it could be especially harmful for the elderly and children.
“Knowing that there’s a new mutated strain out there and H3N2 generally causes more severe disease is concerning,” Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told TODAY.com.
According to data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and described in the latest FluView report, of the 91 recorded H3N2 virus variations since September, 85 percent were the subclade K variant.
The CDC’s latest findings indicate that flu activity in the US has increased by seven percent in the past week.
This season, 19,000 individuals have been hospitalized due to the flu, with 730 deaths reported.