Health and Me

Ishita Roy

A ‘Super Flu’ K-Strain Is Raising Early Christmas Alarms, Here’s What We Know

<span>Super flu</span> or the mutated variant of flu, clade K, has swept the world and caused an early spike in cases worldwide. In Australia, it has caused an early summer spike, while in the UK, it has caused a surge in hospitalization. As per the National Health Service (NHS) England, the number of cases of K flu has been increasing since December 7 and December 11. Hospitalization is up 55% in a week, noted NHS.

This has led to a warning by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and urged anyone with symptoms to "consider wearing a mask". In Australia too the rise of cases has led to health warnings among people. President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Michael Wright said, "We’re diagnosing more cases of the flu than ever, and it is concerning that our vaccination rates have been falling year on year for the past few years. If you have got the flu, make sure you don’t go spreading it to other people because that’s not the gift that people want at Christmas"

<h2>What Do We Know About The <span rel="noindex">Subclade K</span> or the Super Flu So Far?</h2>

Known as the superfly, this is H3N2 'subclade K'. It is a type of seasonal influenza A virus and people have not encountered much of it in the recent years. This is why there is less immunity against it. However, the National Health Service (NHS), UK, has already sent out a 'flu jab SOS' to vulnerable people.

NHS has confirmed that the super flu is circulating in England this year, and due to less immunity, it is making it easier to spread across people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to get a flu jab. As per the early data, this year's vaccine has offered good protection despite the new strain.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said that the major concern is that H3N2 is associated with a more severe illness and superflu could be "a very nasty strain of flu". He said that UK could be experiencing a "tidal wave" of illness.

The main strain circulating this winter is a drifted H3N2 variant, which the UKHSA says has left the community with “less natural immunity.” H3N2 strains tend to cause more serious illness in older adults than H1N1 strains and are linked to higher hospitalizations and deaths. This pattern adds further strain to the NHS during the winter months.

Read:<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/k-strain-flu-mutated-h3n2-virus-is-circulating-causing-super-flu-health-officials-say-it-is-never-too-late-to-get-vaccinated-steps-to-stay-safe-article-153270862" data-type="tilCustomLink"> K Strain Flu: Mutated H3N2 Virus Is Circulating; Health Officials Say It Is Never Too Late To Get Vaccinated</a>

Current data shows that 71.7% of people aged 65 and over in England have received this year’s flu vaccine as of December 7. Uptake remains lower in those under 65 in clinical risk groups (37.4%), pregnant women (35.6%), and children aged two or three (41.9%).

You should. NHS UK, and National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia are urging anyone with symptoms, or anyone who is vulnerable or eligible to get an influenza vaccine.

Even if you are healthy, you should get the shot, say doctors. Vaccines are still working against the drifted influenza A (H3N2) subclade, also known as the super flu. The vaccines in high street chemists are sold for £20.

Anyone can be vaccinated, except for those who have a serious allergy to any of its ingredients or to the vaccine it self. The best way to know is to speak to the pharmacist and your GP.

For the vaccine to work, it usually takes up to 14 days. However, what is more important to not is that during the 14-day-long period, you are still vulnerable to catching the virus. 

<strong>Flu Vaccine Myth 101: </strong>Some people think that it is the flu vaccine itself that has given them the flu, however, the truth is that while vaccine does not give you a flu, it gives your body the instruction it needs to fight off an infection, in case you catch it. While you may still catch the flu after being vaccinated, the affects will be milder and would not last as long.

Health Conditions A-Z

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flu hospitalization in UK rise

who should get a flu vaccine

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early christmas warning Flu

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Super flu or the mutated variant of flu, clade K, has swept the world and caused an early spike in cases worldwide. In Australia, it has caused an early summer spike, while in the UK, it has caused a surge in hospitalization. As per the National Health Service (NHS) England, the number of cases of K flu has been increasing since December 7 and December 11. Hospitalization is up 55% in a week, noted NHS.This has led to a warning by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and urged anyone with symptoms to "consider wearing a mask". In Australia too the rise of cases has led to health warnings among people. President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Michael Wright said, "We’re diagnosing more cases of the flu than ever, and it is concerning that our vaccination rates have been falling year on year for the past few years. If you have got the flu, make sure you don’t go spreading it to other people because that’s not the gift that people want at Christmas"What Do We Know About The Subclade K or the Super Flu So Far?Known as the superfly, this is H3N2 'subclade K'. It is a type of seasonal influenza A virus and people have not encountered much of it in the recent years. This is why there is less immunity against it. However, the National Health Service (NHS), UK, has already sent out a 'flu jab SOS' to vulnerable people.NHS has confirmed that the super flu is circulating in England this year, and due to less immunity, it is making it easier to spread across people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to get a flu jab. As per the early data, this year's vaccine has offered good protection despite the new strain.Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said that the major concern is that H3N2 is associated with a more severe illness and superflu could be "a very nasty strain of flu". He said that UK could be experiencing a "tidal wave" of illness.The main strain circulating this winter is a drifted H3N2 variant, which the UKHSA says has left the community with “less natural immunity.” H3N2 strains tend to cause more serious illness in older adults than H1N1 strains and are linked to higher hospitalizations and deaths. This pattern adds further strain to the NHS during the winter months.Read: K Strain Flu: Mutated H3N2 Virus Is Circulating; Health Officials Say It Is Never Too Late To Get VaccinatedCurrent data shows that 71.7% of people aged 65 and over in England have received this year’s flu vaccine as of December 7. Uptake remains lower in those under 65 in clinical risk groups (37.4%), pregnant women (35.6%), and children aged two or three (41.9%).Should You Get A Vaccine?You should. NHS UK, and National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia are urging anyone with symptoms, or anyone who is vulnerable or eligible to get an influenza vaccine.Even if you are healthy, you should get the shot, say doctors. Vaccines are still working against the drifted influenza A (H3N2) subclade, also known as the super flu. The vaccines in high street chemists are sold for £20.Anyone can be vaccinated, except for those who have a serious allergy to any of its ingredients or to the vaccine it self. The best way to know is to speak to the pharmacist and your GP.For the vaccine to work, it usually takes up to 14 days. However, what is more important to not is that during the 14-day-long period, you are still vulnerable to catching the virus. Flu Vaccine Myth 101: Some people think that it is the flu vaccine itself that has given them the flu, however, the truth is that while vaccine does not give you a flu, it gives your body the instruction it needs to fight off an infection, in case you catch it. While you may still catch the flu after being vaccinated, the affects will be milder and would not last as long.