Health
What to Know About This Year’s Severe Flu
Health Points
- This year’s flu season started earlier and is causing more severe illness, especially in unvaccinated children.
- A new H3N2 variant, ‘subclade K’, is not fully matched by current vaccines but vaccination still reduces severe outcomes.
- The flu spreads through droplets and surfaces, and most people are contagious for three to four days after symptoms begin.
Flu activity is surging sooner this year, with hospitals reporting rising cases and children feeling the greatest impact when unvaccinated. Health officials have seen a nearly 15% weekly increase in positive flu tests and several pediatric deaths already.
“This season, the new ‘subclade K’ H3N2 variant is circulating and the current vaccine is not a perfect match for it, but experts still stress the importance of vaccination to protect against severe flu illness,” said Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr.
Influenza A and B are the two main types responsible for illness. Influenza A strains, like H3N2 and H1N1, typically cause more severe outbreaks, while Influenza B evolves more slowly and usually leads to milder illness, though severe cases can still occur.
People are most contagious with the flu during the first three to four days of infection. The CDC recommends staying home until your fever is gone for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) and other symptoms improve.
The flu virus spreads easily through both direct contact and contaminated surfaces. Good hand hygiene, masks, proper ventilation, and disinfecting commonly touched items can help stop transmission.
To help prevent spreading the flu, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash hands often, clean shared surfaces, consider wearing a mask if you need to be around others, and stay home until you feel better.
Taking steps to protect yourself this flu season—like getting vaccinated, practicing hand hygiene, and wearing a mask in crowded places—helps safeguard your health and supports your community’s well-being.
