Winter's arrival heralds a familiar concern for many: the impending flu season. However, this year, a new and more formidable threat emerges - the 'super flu'. This variant of influenza A H3N2, known as subclade K, is causing alarm among medical professionals due to its severity and prolonged recovery period. The super flu's impact is already being felt across the United States, with outbreaks in New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, and the situation is expected to worsen.
The symptoms of the super flu are similar to those of the regular flu but more intense. These include high fever, severe body aches, extreme fatigue, persistent cough, sore throat, and intense headaches. Additionally, people have reported shortness of breath, chest pain, gastrointestinal issues, and prolonged weakness. The dominant strain of the super flu is not well-aligned with the vaccine this year, making a larger portion of the population susceptible to the flu.
Doctors emphasize the importance of antiviral medications in combating the super flu. The CDC recommends four specific drugs: Tamiflu, Xofluza, Relenza, and Rapivab. Xofluza is a pill taken for early treatment of uncomplicated flu in people 5 years and older, Relenza is for those 7 years and older, and Rapivab is for early treatment in people 6 months and older. At-home remedies such as drinking plenty of fluids, getting sufficient rest, and taking Tylenol or Advil to manage fever, headaches, and muscle aches are also advised.
Medical professionals have been warning about the flu since September, but the super flu has heightened their concerns. Neil Maniar of Northeastern University notes that the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia have already been hit hard by this variant, and he predicts a challenging flu season ahead. The University of Oxford's Professor Christophe Fraser adds that the super flu is spreading at a similar speed to previous years, but its impact is more severe.
Despite the dire predictions, infectious disease specialist Dr. Andrew Pekosz reassures that it's not too late to get vaccinated. He encourages individuals to get their last influenza vaccine or COVID vaccine to provide an extra layer of protection during the holiday season. As of last week, the CDC reported a 14.3% increase in hospitalization rates due to the super flu, underscoring the need for proactive measures to combat this formidable flu variant.
