H3N2 – Aussie Flu and You

Aussie Flu is a category A flu virus that effects the young and the elderly most severely, shown from last years stats.

However this year, flu deaths have been on the rise, and the Aussie Flu strain has been the most popular. 48 people died this winter from flu related deaths, with 24 in the last week of 2017 alone.

DID YOU KNOW?

Flu viruses are given names based on their type and surface proteins. Types are characterised as A, B and C; with A being the most serious down to C, being a more milder infection. Once Catergorised, they are subdivided according to the proteins on their surface, called H and N antigens.

People think the flu is a small time illness, cured simply with rest and paracetamol; that is the case for most people, but medically vulnerable patients along with the elderly have become particularly sensitive to Aussie Flu and its stain on the NHS is showing.

However i think its important to note that the numbers are not as large as the swine flu pandemic in 2008. News stories detailing the NHS crisis have been using aussie flu as an example of cases found in A&E and not as a sole cause.

What can you do?

Stop the spread! Wash your hands, and follow the old school rules of Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.

If you think you have the flu?

Symptoms come on quickly and can include; fever, aches, tiredness,sore throat, cough, headache and nausea. Its important to note that suspecting you have aussie flu is not a reason to attend A&E only attending if you develop sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing or start coughing up blood.

The NHS also ask you attend your GP if:

*information taken from the NHS choices website and BBC, under no circumstances should it be used as a medical guide. This was simple created as an educational term to aid both my learning and that of others. *