With Christmas fast approaching, the last thing anyone wants is to come down with a nasty case of the flu. Unfortunately, the chances of you catching not just the flu but a ‘superflu’ are especially high right now. You probably know someone who’s already suffered through it.
The NHS has warned that flu hospitalisations are currently the highest they’ve ever been for this time of year, and cases are still rising. That’s thanks to a particular strain known as the K flu.
Here’s all the crucial information you need on the ‘superflu’ spreading across the UK right now.
What is K flu?
The K flu, aka the ‘superflu’ (or H3N2 subclade K, if you’d prefer to call it by its scientific name) is a mutated strain of seasonal influenza A virus. It’s nothing new – it’s been circulating among humans since 1968 – but cases are particularly high this year.
It’s not any more dangerous than regular flu, though the fast spread means that vulnerable people are more likely to catch it and the small percentage of severe cases increases, putting more strain on the NHS.
How fast is it spreading?
NHS England said that the number of cases of K flu has been increasing since December 7 and yesterday (December 11) it revealed that ‘flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one week’. An An average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, which is the highest ever for this time of year and a rise of 55 percent on the previous week. It added that ‘the peak is not in sight yet’.
This particular strain is spreading so quickly because people haven’t encountered it as much in recent years and so there’s less immunity. Every 100 people infected with seasonal flu would typically pass the virus on to 120 others.
What are the symptoms of K flu?
According to the NHS, these are the symptoms of K flu that you should be looking out for:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
Should I get a vaccine?
Absolutely. Right now, the NHS is urging anyone eligible to get their vaccine so that they don’t become seriously ill with the virus. It takes a few weeks to for the defences to fully kick in, so you should get it sooner rather than later. You can book an appointment here.
What are the experts saying?
The NHS says that if you feel unwell, stay at home, and if you’re meeting people indoors open a window for fresh air. As always, good hygiene will help you avoid catching the super flu – cough into your bent elbow, wash your hands frequently and clean your surroundings often.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: ‘NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate more people than last year, and with just a week left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I would urge anyone eligible for the vaccine to please book an appointment or visit a walk-in site as soon as possible. Vaccination is the best protection against getting potentially very ill and it also helps protect those around you.’
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