If you've been paying attention to the news lately, you likely have heard about the new strain of severe "super flu" going around right now."H3N2 Influenza A has undergone genetic drift this year by generating a new variant called 'subclade K,'" public health expert and infectious disease specialist Dr. Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H, FIDSA, tells Parade.As the name suggests, the super flu is pretty scary and has a lot of potential to make us miserable: Several healthy children U.S. have died from the H3N2 super flu strain and complications, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics."The 2025-26 flu season is one of the strongest seasons on record with some states in the U.S. reporting high and even record numbers of hospitalizations and emergency department visits due to flu," Dr. Brad Hutton, MPH, infectious disease epidemiologist at Hutton Health Consulting, tells Parade. "More than 90% of the flu viruses recently tested and reported by labs across the nation have been type A (H3N2), most of them belonging to a new subclade K. This new subclade K represents a genetic drift with several mutations from the versions that were circulating across the globe earlier this year when decisions were made about the strains that would be used for this year's vaccine.""With more infected people, more people are likely to get seriously unwell and end up in hospitals," Dr. Vera Kohut, MD, Hon BSc, medical director at Serefin Health, explains. Combine that with a high flow of people in contact with one another over the holidays, kids in close contact in schools and daycares with variable ventilation protection, variable hand washing skills, she says, and you have a recipe for a super flu spread bigger and faster than we've seen in years.Here's everything to know about the new severe flu variant, including the most common H3N2 super flu symptoms to watch out for, how to protect yourself and the best prevention and treatment options if you do get infected.?SIGN UP for Parade’s health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self?
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."
Photo by CDC/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY on Getty Images
"How bad our flu season gets depends on things like which flu viruses we’ve had infections with before, which vaccines we’ve gotten in the past, which flu viruses are spreading this year and how well the flu shot works against these viruses," he adds.Board-certified internist Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, MD, notes, "The virus has changed enough that our immune systems do not recognize it as well, leading to higher rates of hospitalization, especially among older adults and young children."Related: How Many People Die of the Flu Each Year? Doctors Break Down What Statistics Look Like—and How To Protect Yourself
In terms of why it's spreading so fast and so widely, experts generally agree that a few factors are at play.
"Flu viruses change over time as a part of their nature via minor genetic mutations. When these changes accumulate over time, new subclades are create,d and these subclades attack differently than earlier strains," Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, Ph.D., MPH, MBBS, professor of public health at New Mexico State University, tells Parade. "Since widespread immunity for such new strains is not generated in one season, we see rampant infections and complications. That's the strength of flu viruses: We chase them, but never get ahead. Over time, they learn to evade our immune systems."
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.
"Research from GoodRx shows Tamiflu fill rates rising earlier and more sharply than in many recent seasons, a sign that more people are seeking treatment," she says. "That means more people are getting sick, and symptoms tend to be more intense."
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."
Related: Here's What Happens When You Don't Get Some Vaccines Every Year, According to Infectious Disease Experts
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."
What's more, the H3N2 super flu also brings complications with it for some patients, and it's those complications that make it particularly dangerous, especially for high-risk people and those with compromised immune systems or other pre-existing conditions.
"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.
Dr. Christopher Freer, DO, FACEP, Senior Vice President of Emergency and Hospitalist Medicine at RWJBarnabas Health, explains further why it hits so hard: "This flu strain, subclade K, appears more aggressive because it triggers a stronger inflammatory response in the body. This can lead to higher fevers, more intense fatigue, and a greater risk of complications like pneumonia."
Related: The One Habit Doctors Are Begging You To Break ASAP if You Don't Want To Get Sick This Fall
What Are Super Flu Symptoms?
If you get the flu, take it seriously! Influenza is a respiratory infection. Influenza “packs a punch." It's not "just a cold"—you really are sick. "The impact of the virus on the body is severe; it causes direct damage to the respiratory tract from the nose to the lungs, compromising the body’s natural defense barriers," Dr. Kohut emphasizes. "Even in healthy individuals, the impact of the virus on the body's immune system can create changes that leave the individual susceptible to other infections—particularly bacterial infections."
Normal flu symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include:
Body achesChillsCoughFatigueFeverHeadachesMuscle achesRunny noseStuffy noseSore throatIn terms of super flu symptoms, you can expect more severe manifestations of the above, plus some other signs that will make you feel lousy.
"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."
One thing to note about super flu symptoms, Dr. Tierney says, is how they start: "Symptom onset with the flu is often abrupt." This means that you're less likely to have a cough or sore throat that gets progressively worse and instead will be hit hard with symptoms suddenly, even if you felt fine the night before.
"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."
"Flu can sometimes lead to serious complications like pneumonia, sinus or ear infections, and—in rare cases—inflammation of the heart or brain, organ failure or sepsis (a dangerous body-wide reaction to infection)," Dr. Robinson warns. "This strain can cause significant illness across all ages, but older adults, young children, and immunocompromised people are at the highest risk for complications. Seek medical care if you have trouble breathing, chest or abdominal pain that doesn’t go away, severe headaches or dizziness, or if your fever or cough gets better but then returns or worsens."
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.
"The very young and the elderly may not have typical flu symptoms," he says. "They may present with irritability, sleepiness or confusion, and these highest risk patients need prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional."
Related: How To Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu
According to Dr. Evans, even though the H3N2 super flu may evade some of the protection that this season's flu shot provides, it's still your best bet to protect yourself from a severe infection.
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."
While the best time to get your flu shot for 2025-2026 was last fall, if you didn't get a flu shot yet, you can still get a vaccine now, and doctors are urging you to do just that.
"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."
Not only does the flu shot offer at least some protection against severe super flu infection, but it comes with a potential bonus for your cognitive health too: A study found that patients who got their flu shots regularly were 40% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
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?
Some common-sense measures can serve as kryptonite for the super flu. "Flu prevention is about staying vigilant and acting early to minimize the severity of your symptoms," Dr. Sanjiv Shah, MD, MPH, says.
"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."
Experts also recommend taking it easy. (It is hibernation season, after all.) "We recommend, when possible, to rest, ensure hydration and practice good hand hygiene," Dr. Glazier stresses. "Now is not the time to overdo it and stretch oneself over multiple activities and obligations. Also, if you do not feel well, please be sure to avoid exposing high-risk family and friends (particularly infants and the elderly). When in doubt, it's ok to sit it out and defer the large family gatherings if you are sick."
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.
"Consider wearing a mask when in crowded indoor places, especially in healthcare settings," she says, adding that you may want to talk to your doctor about preventative antivirals if you know you've been exposed to flu or super flu but haven't yet shown symptoms. (Learn more about those below!)
Related: The Clever Handwashing Trick That Slashes Germs and Bacteria
What should you do if you do get infected with H3N2 super flu (or just the regular flu)? Don't panic, because you have options!
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."
There is another medication approved to treat or as prophylaxis against the flu called baloxavir, or Xofluza, which is given as a one-time dose for those over five years of age, Dr. Tierney notes. "It is more expensive and usually well tolerated, but there are fewer years of experience with its use."
Related: 4 Doctors Share the #1 Thing They Always Buy at CVS at the Start of Cold, Flu and COVID Season
Dr. Evans agrees that the H3N2 super flu is responsive to antiviral treatments, so if you think you're infected, talk to your doctor right away to make sure you can access treatments that can get you feeling better fast.
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."
In terms of treating your aches, pains and fever, Dr. Freer says, "Rest, fluids and fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are key to symptom relief."
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."
Related: Here Are the 10 Best Ways To Prevent the Flu
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."
However, make sure to pay attention to long-lasting symptoms. "If symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, symptoms worsen after about a week or if difficulty breathing occurs, consult your healthcare provider," Dr. Tierney notes.
Even if your lingering symptoms don't seem serious to you, you should still get checked out just in case.
"Lingering fatigue and cough are common, especially in older adults. If you aren't getting better in a week, you should see your doctor," Dr. Freer says. "Sometimes you can have complications from the flu, so if you are still symptomatic after a week, I would recommend you get checked by a health professional."
Up Next:
Related: Do You Have the Flu? Here's Everything You Need To Know About Navigating Symptoms and Treatment
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.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( These Are the Most Common H3N2 Super Flu Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now )
Also on site :
- Morton East student killed in shooting near Cicero school
- INVESTOR ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Investors with Losses on their Investment in Varonis Systems, Inc. of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines - VRNS
- Anthropic adds Allianz to growing list of enterprise wins