The world is experiencing a particularly severe flu season, spanning several continents. Experts attribute the sharp increase in cases to the emergence of a new mutated version of the influenza A virus — H3N2, which has already been detected in Japan, the United Kingdom and a number of other countries.
Experts emphasize that people have hardly encountered this mutation in recent years, so the level of collective immunity to it is much lower. This creates conditions for the rapid spread of the virus and a greater number of infections.
What is known about the H3N2 mutation?
Flu viruses are constantly changing, and most mutations are not serious. However, this time we are talking about significant changes. The H3N2 strain of seasonal flu has recorded seven mutations at once, which has led to a rapid increase in the number of cases of infection.
According to Professor Derek Smith, director of the Centre for Pathogen Evolution at the University of Cambridge, this variant of the virus, known as H3N2 subcluster K, is almost certain to spread globally. It is a type of seasonal influenza A, but is antigenically distinct from strains that humanity has encountered recently.
Is the new strain more dangerous?
Doctors note that the symptoms of infection may not differ from the classic flu. At the same time, due to weaker immune defenses, people will get sick more often and spread the virus more actively. For the elderly and people with chronic diseases, the flu can still pose a fatal danger.
Professor Nicola Lewis, director of the Francis Crick Institute's Global Influenza Centre in the UK, says the current trends are unusual. She acknowledges the concern about the situation, although she urges not to panic.
How to distinguish the flu from a cold and Covid
Experts remind us that the symptoms of different viral infections often overlap. A cold usually develops gradually and affects the nose and throat. The flu begins suddenly, accompanied by a high fever, body aches and severe fatigue. Covid can resemble the flu, but is often characterized by a loss of smell or taste, a sharp sore throat and digestive disorders.
How to protect yourself from the flu
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the disease, although this year's vaccines may not fully protect against the new mutated strain. Scientists emphasize that even partial protection significantly reduces the risk of severe illness.
In addition to vaccination, experts advise following basic hygiene rules: washing hands frequently, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding close contact if you feel unwell. In countries where the flu season started earlier, schools are temporarily closed to contain outbreaks.
Doctors also advise people with flu symptoms to stay home, and if they must go out, to keep their distance from others and consider using a mask to reduce the spread of infection.
