What Is a 'Super Flu'?
What makes the "super flu" variant more severe than others isn't necessarily just the virus itself. It's also that, well, doctors and scientists aren't psychics, and this mutation of the influenza virus isn't what experts predicted we'd be dealing with this flu season."This strain could cause a more severe flu season because of its divergence from forecasted viruses used in this season’s flu vaccine," Dr. Evans explains. "Flu viruses can change over time, which can make it harder for our bodies and vaccines to protect us."
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In terms of why it's spreading so fast and so widely, experts generally agree that a few factors are at play.
Dr. Karla Robinson, MD, licensed, board-certified family physician and medical editor at GoodRx, explains that we're already seeing a lot of signs of widespread infection.
Some of why the super flu is spreading is just the nature of the virus, but we also need to stay responsible and vigilant as a society. "People need to be at their best in terms of hygiene and sanitation practices, which has been an issue since the COVID pandemic," Dr. Khubchandani says. "Over time, people have been lax in preventive behaviors including vaccination. My biggest worry is the conglomerate of influenza, coronaviruses and others, such as RSV infections, surging at the same time."
Dr. Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D., professor of biological and biomedical sciences at Bryant University, explains, "The early mutation this year means the vaccine is not a very good direct match, plus vaccination rates are down. This means that the flu season has started with a vengeance and people are getting pretty sick."
"It is an H3N2 strain, which typically causes more severe disease and is more commonly associated with secondary bacterial pneumonias," Dr. Maureen Tierney, MD, MSc, Associate Dean, Department Chair of Clinical Research and Public Health at Creighton University, tells Parade.
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What Are Super Flu Symptoms?
Normal flu symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include:
Body achesChillsCoughFatigueFeverHeadachesMuscle achesRunny noseStuffy noseSore throat"Beyond typical flu symptoms like fever, cough and body aches, warning signs include trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, persistent vomiting or symptoms that worsen instead of improve," Dr. Ungerleider says. "In serious cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia, heart complications, neurologic symptoms, or organ failure."
"Patients should be alert for persistent high fevers, trouble breathing, chest tightness or extreme exhaustion," Dr. Freer advises. "Severe body aches, dehydration and confusion, particularly in older adults, are also concerning signs. If symptoms feel severe or suddenly worsen, it is important to seek medical care."
Dr. Robert Hopkins, Jr., MD, Medical Director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, points out that children and seniors may show symptoms you don't necessarily expect or associate with the flu, so it's extra important to monitor them closely if infected.
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Dr. Freer agrees, noting, "The goal of the flu vaccine is to prevent serious illness requiring hospitalization and adverse outcomes. If you get the flu even though you got the vaccine, that is not a failure. The flu vaccine is our best defense against serious illness and death."
"It is never too late to get vaccinated for the flu, and we encourage everyone to get the 2025-2026 vaccine," Dr. Michael Glazier, MD, CMO at Bluebird Kids Health, tells us. "The flu vaccine provides the opportunity to prevent infection and spread from certain strains of the flu and it can also decrease the severity of infection."
Related: These Are the Actual Vaccine Side Effects You Should Worry About, According to Infectious Disease Experts
What Are Other Ways To Protect Yourself From Super Flu?
"Getting the flu shot is the most important step," Dr. Ungerleider emphasizes. "Other effective measures include washing hands regularly, covering coughs, staying home when sick, avoiding close contact with people who are ill and using preventive antiviral medication in high risk individuals after known exposure."
Dr. Freer recommends avoiding touching or rubbing your face and maintaining a healthy diet as ways to help fight off infection, while Dr. Tierney suggests more precautions as well, especially if you're at a high risk for super flu complications.
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First, see if you can snag a prescription for antivirals from your doctor if you're a good candidate for them. "Treatment and/or prophylaxis are especially important to reduce severity, hospitalization and death among high-risk individuals: the elderly or the very young, those who are immunocompromised and those with chronic medical conditions," Dr. Tierney says. "Oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, has been used for years to treat influenza. It is approved for those two weeks of age and older and can be taken twice a day for five days, or if used prophylactically, once a day for 10 days. Both courses of therapy are best to begin within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms or the known exposure."
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Also, an important but often overlooked note: "Pregnant women are prone to more severe influenza," Dr. Tierney warns. "Therefore, they should consult their obstetrician if ill or exposed to the flu."
Dr. Robinson also recommends saline rinses if you have nasal congestion, while Dr. Shah says, "Try to eat small, light meals throughout the day to keep up your strength."
How Long Does the Super Flu Last?
The good news about super flu? For most otherwise healthy people, you may not feel too crummy for terribly long. "Most otherwise healthy people recover within about a week, though fatigue and cough can last longer," Dr. Ungerleider says. "Recovery can take several weeks for older adults, people with chronic conditions, or anyone who develops complications or requires hospitalization."
Even if your lingering symptoms don't seem serious to you, you should still get checked out just in case.
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Sources
CDC: 9 children have died of flu this season; previous season sets record. American Academy of Pediatrics. Signs and Symptoms of Flu. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDr. Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H, FIDSADr. Christopher Freer, DO, FACEPDr. Michael Glazier, MDDr. Kirsten Hokeness, Ph.D.Dr. Robert Hopkins, Jr., MDDr. Brad Hutton, MPHDr. Jagdish Khubchandani, Ph.D., MPH, MBBSDr. Vera Kohut, MD, Hon BScDr. Karla Robinson, MDDr. Sanjiv Shah, MD, MPHDr. Maureen Tierney, MD, MScDr. Shoshana Ungerleider, MDCenters for Disease Control and PreventionHence then, the article about these are the most common h3n2 super flu symptoms doctors are seeing right now was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) 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.
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