"10 Warning Signs of the 'K Strain Superflu' on the Rise: Doctor Urges Parents to Watch for This 12-Hour Indicator of Urgent Care for Babies"

Table of Contents

1. Flu Season Overview
2. Symptoms of Infection
3. Illness Details
4. Lingering Symptoms
5. Red Flags and Warning Signs
6. How to Protect Yourself
7. Vaccine Eligibility

FLU season arrives each year, but experts have cautioned that this winter could be one of the most severe yet, due to a rise in cases driven by a mutant strain referred to as ‘subclade K’.

But does this new variant lead to different flu symptoms? And how will they develop?

Experts have indicated that this strain could lead to the ‘worst outbreak in a decade’ and trigger a ‘tidal wave’ of infections in the near future.

Hospitals nationwide are already experiencing significant pressure, with several ‘critical incidents’ as a wave of ‘superflu’ spreads across the UK.

In response, some regions have reinstated Covid-style ‘firebreak lockdowns’ to help contain the spread.

One reason the K strain – also known as H3N2 – appears to be spreading rapidly is due to several mutations.

It has mutated seven times recently, prompting an early increase in flu cases and raising concerns that it may evade some of the protection provided by current flu vaccines.

Influenza H3N2 is also less prevalent than other flu strains that usually circulate during this time of year.

Additionally, there hasn’t been an outbreak of H3 influenza since 2022, which means that many people may have limited immunity to it.

Currently, H3N2 is the most dominant strain in circulation, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Experts told The Telegraph that H3 flu typically tends to be more severe and contagious than other flu types, with an infected person likely to transmit the virus to more individuals.

Despite being a new variant, subclade K is not expected to cause entirely unique symptoms.

Here’s what you can anticipate if you – or your child – contract the flu.

Infection

Flu symptoms generally appear one to three days after infection.

The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through germs expelled during coughs and sneezes.

These germs can survive on hands and surfaces for up to 24 hours.

You are more likely to transmit the flu to others during the first five days of illness.

Illness

In contrast to a cold, which develops gradually, flu symptoms emerge suddenly.

They may include:

1. A sudden high fever
2. Body aches
3. Extreme fatigue
4. A dry cough
5. A sore throat
6. A headache
7. Difficulty sleeping
8. Loss of appetite
9. Diarrhea or abdominal pain
10. Nausea and vomiting

Children may experience earaches and become less active than usual.

As for babies, they might:

• Have a fever of 37.5°C or higher
• Experience shortness of breath
• Breathe rapidly
• Cough
• Feed less than usual
• Have fewer wet or dirty diapers

The best course of action is to rest, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and alleviate aches, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

Lingering Symptoms

Most individuals infected with the flu will start to feel better within a week.

However, you may experience a persistent cough and fatigue for several weeks afterward.

You can manage your symptoms at home and may not need to consult a healthcare provider or visit A&E.

Ed Hutchinson, a professor of molecular and cellular virology at the Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, told The Telegraph: “Flu symptoms can vary – some individuals feel terrible for a few days, while others may feel unwell for a couple of weeks – but there is no indication that this variant prolongs symptoms.”

Red Flags – and the 12 Hour Warning Sign

In some cases, a flu infection can become serious.

Those most at risk include older adults, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

You should contact your GP if your child:

• Is more short of breath than usual
• Experiences pain while breathing or coughing
• Feels confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
• Is nauseous or vomiting – for instance, if they cannot retain food or fluids
• Coughs up blood
• Has not urinated for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
• Has a very high or low temperature – for example, feeling hot or cold to the touch or shivering

Doctor Suraj Kukadia – known as Dr Sooj – recently issued a warning about dehydration red flags indicating that your baby requires immediate attention.

He stated: “If they go 12 hours without urinating, that’s a red flag. You need to go to the emergency department.

“If they are urinating less than 50 percent of what is normal, that’s also a concern.”