With a new variant spreading, and bringing with it a change in some symptoms, doctors say there are some warning signs to watch for this flu season that can help determine when medical attention is needed most.
According to Dr. Juanita Mora, the national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, the new “subclade K” variant is hitting kids and adults “hard,” which is why it’s even more important to know when to seek care.
“We have to be careful,” she said in an interview with Telemundo Chicago Monday. “Just today I’ve got 15 calls with flu positive patients.”
Experts have been warning for weeks of a mutated variant that could make for a particularly challenging flu season. Meanwhile, cases of norovirus, or the “stomach flu,” are also climbing.
The new strain is leading to some even bigger complications when it comes to cases, particularly in children.
“This new strain has symptoms of really high fevers, it has a really bad cough that won’t go away, very phlegmy, and also vomiting and diarrhea and lots of joint aches as well as muscle aches,” Mora said.
She noted that in many cases, fevers are being reported between 104 and 105 degrees, and they “don’t break – even when treated with Tylenol, Motrin, etc.” They are also lasting longer.
Because the new strain is bringing higher and longer lasting fevers, Mora said it’s important to know the warning signs to seek medical attention.
“One is those high fevers that won’t break,” she said. “Two, the other thing, is any signs of shortness of breath. So when kids or adults are having trouble breathing, they start using their chest muscles, they start wheezing audibly, they start having a cough that won’t go away. That’s a sign to go to the ER. And the third sign I always teach patients: dehydration. So when a kid is hit very hard with the flu or an adult, especially older adults, they don’t want to eat or drink so they’re just laying in bed but that can be very dangerous.”
According to the CDC, the warning signs are different in children and adults.
They include:
In children
Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish lips or face Ribs pulling in with each breath Chest pain Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk) Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying) Not alert or interacting when awake Seizures Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen Worsening of chronic medical conditionsIn adults
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse Seizures Not urinating Severe muscle pain Severe weakness or unsteadiness Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen Worsening of chronic medical conditionsSymptoms
Flu symptoms typically begin within one to four days of exposure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The CDC reports the following symptoms for those with flu:
fever* or feeling feverish/chills cough sore throat runny or stuffy nose muscle or body aches headaches fatigue (tiredness) some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever
How long is flu contagious?
Flu can be detected in infected persons at least one day before symptoms begin, and up to seven days after, but those with flu are most contagious around three days into their infection, according to the CDC.
“Some people, including young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer periods of time,” the agency reported.
Hence then, the article about warning signs to watch for as flu season ramps up new variant spreads was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Warning signs to watch for as flu season ramps up, new variant spreads )
Also on site :