New H3N2 strain tends to cause more severe illness amid expectation that Britain is about to face ‘worst ever’ flu season
A new flu strain on the rise in Britain is causing more severe illness even in otherwise healthy people.
Doctors have warned H3N2 ‘can kill’ because it has mutated to be particularly aggressive. Vaccines still offer significant protection – and often prevent serious illness – but less so than previous years.
H3N2 symptoms are generally similar to those of other influenza strains but with a few key differences. While many people will experience an unpleasant, but relatively mild illness, experts warn there is a higher risk of deadly complications such as sepsis with this strain.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has warned the new strain can kill otherwise healthy children in very rare cases.
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Dr Helen Stewart, emergency care doctor and RCPCH officer for health improvement, said: “Unfortunately, it can kill. Children do die every year from flu, so it is definitely not just a bad cold. The main complications that we see are pneumonia, so a severe chest infection needing breathing support, and that can tip over into sepsis and very extreme cases. I’ve seen some very, very sick children going to intensive care with flu.”
Australia and Japan have both been hit hard by H3N2 because it has mutated to better escape immunity from previous vaccines. Japan has seen schools closed across the country as infections reach epidemic proportions and thousands have been hospitalised by H3N2.
All flu virus strains can cause a sudden onset of the following symptoms:
- Fever/chills
- Cough (often dry)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body and muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue/weakness
One key difference for H3N2 is the fever is worse. Patients often experience a higher average body temperature and a greater likelihood of a high fever – above 38°C – compared with strains like H1N1.
H3N2 infections are commonly linked to more severe body aches and more prolonged tiredness/fatigue.
While some people, especially children, may experience vomiting or diarrhea, these symptoms are generally less common with H3N2 compared to H1N1 or Influenza B.
H3N2 is more likely to lead to severe outcomes and hospitalisations, particularly in older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.
Health officials in Britain had already warned that flu has arrived a month earlier than usual but there are fears not enough eligible people are taking up the offer of the free NHS flu vaccine.
Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff as well as children.
Covid-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and people who are immunosuppressed.
Eligible adults can book an appointment to get their flu vaccine now via at their local pharmacy via the NHS App, GP practice, online at www.nhs.uk/bookflu or by calling 119. You can also use the pharmacy finder to find your nearest walk-in service.
