What Is the ‘Superflu’? Why Cases Are Rising in the US and Symptoms You Should Know

As winter continues to grip the Northern Hemisphere, health experts are pointing out a sudden jump in cases of a rapidly evolving form of the flu, commonly referred to as the superflu. Although it caused a noticeable spike in the United Kingdom, the H3N2 strain of the flu virus is now behind a substantial spike in hospitalisations related to the flu in the United States.

What Is Superflu And Why Is It So Contagious?

The strain behind the current spike is Influenza A (H3N2).Though it isn’t a new form of flu, this strain has mutated to facilitate easier transmission between humans. This implies that it spreads much faster than the normal flu, thus causing the dramatic increase.

According to the recent reports, there has been a double-digit increase in flu hospitalisations in the US, with nearly 10,000 patients admitted in one reporting period alone. International health organisations also report that H3N2 has comprised a substantial number of confirmed influenza cases globally, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

The factors that are thought to be responsible for the rapid spread of the new variant include crowded halls, travels, less wearing of masks, and lower immunity due to winter exposure.

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Where Is the Superflu Spreading?

The virus is no longer confined to isolated pockets. Reports indicate widespread activity in the US, with outbreaks traced in more than 30 states. There has been high activity in major population hubs like New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Washington, as well as in colder parts of the country, such as Alaska. There are also reports of high flu activity in the District of Columbia.

The rather wide geographical distribution observed here also makes one suspect that community transmission has been in progress.

Superflu Symptoms to Watch Out For

Clinical observation suggests that the superflu differs only slightly from the ordinary flu, making it difficult to immediately notice the difference. Some symptoms of the superflu include:

• Sudden fever
• Cold chills and shivering
• Body and muscle aches
• Headache
• Severe or unexplained fatigue
• Runny and blocked nose
• Cough, persistent

People might experience symptoms that strike hard and quickly, perhaps within a short period from the time of exposure.

How Serious Can Superflu Become?

While many people recover with rest and supportive care, superflu should not be brushed off as just a bad cold. According to US health data from the ongoing flu season, a significant proportion of hospitalised patients developed severe complications. Among those admitted:

• Almost 1 in 6 required intensive care unit admission.
• About 6% required mechanical ventilation 
• A small but significant percentage did not survive.

These statistics show the rapid way that flu outbreaks can accelerate, especially when medical care is delayed.

Bottomline

The superflu virus H3N2 is spreading quickly in the US, and although symptoms are similar to the common flu virus, it has the potential to become serious rather quickly.