What We Know About Flu Variant Ah3n2 K The Strain Behind 90 Per Cent Of Cases

Описание: Every winter, respiratory viruses like influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV put huge pressure on healthcare systems across Europe.

Flu causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases and 15,000-70,000 deaths per year in Europe, with children having the highest infection rates.

The current flu season has started a few weeks earlier than usual, with a predominance of the A/H3N2 virus, specifically the subclade K variant.

The subclade K variant is the same H3N2 virus that has been circulating since 1968, but with some mutations. It does not appear to be more virulent or cause more severe disease.

However, the early dominance of A/H3N2 could lead to more cases, as A/H1N1 has been more prevalent in recent seasons, resulting in lower immunity in the population.

The current flu vaccine was designed to protect against the A/H3N2 strain that predates the subclade K variant, so vaccine effectiveness may be reduced.

Even if the vaccine is less effective, it still offers some protection and is the best tool for reducing the risk of serious illness. The author recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

Practicing good hygiene, such as handwashing and wearing masks, is also important to prevent the spread of infection. #health #healthnews #medicine #medical #medicalnews #healthcare