"Subclade K" new flu variant with more severe symptoms leading to more hospitalizations

CENTRAL VALLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The holidays and flu play are upon america and aesculapian professionals are informing radical of a caller mentation of the virus.

"Subclade K is simply a variant of the communal flu strain that we are typically seeing this year, it's known to beryllium a small much assertive and a small spot much infectious but it has the aforesaid effects and aforesaid symptoms arsenic your regular flu strain," says Dr. Emanuele Maccalli, who is the Medical Director of in-patient Pediatrics astatine Kaweah Health.

Symptoms see fever, aches and musculus pains.

You tin besides person a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and headaches.

But- symptoms are typically much severe.

"And we person already shown an summation successful hospitalizations, peculiarly successful populations, specified arsenic Children nether the property of five, and the aged bash look to beryllium hospitalized astatine higher rates adjacent compared to past year, which was a precise terrible year," explains Dr. Maccalli.

While it's conscionable taking clasp present ... this caller flu variant has already tally rampant overseas.

"In different countries, it has already been declared similar an epidemic. Here successful the U.S, we inactive don't cognize however it is going to beryllium presented. It whitethorn origin immoderate akin issues present successful our country. But yes, this caller subclade variant whitethorn beryllium associated with more, higher transmission, with higher problems, with higher symptoms," explains Dr. Saul Diaz Martinez, with Pediatrics astatine Adventist Health Hospital Fowler.

Doctors accidental the existent flu changeable does connection immoderate protection.

The cardinal is prevention, specified arsenic washing your hands and staying distant from others if you consciousness sick.

It's particularly important to support an oculus connected susceptible populations, particularly children nether 5, who are astatine higher hazard of dehydration.

"I ever promote my parents to spot their parental instincts. If your kid is not doing well, past bring them successful to get checked out," urges Dr. Maccalli.

Also, if over-the-counter medications are not working, it is important to cognize erstwhile to question aesculapian help.

"Debilitating symptoms, trouble feeding, garbage intake of liquids, oregon decreased urinary output. It whitethorn beryllium that determination is thing much superior going on, specified arsenic pneumonia oregon different complications for influenza, and they request to beryllium seen close away," mentions Dr. Diaz Martinez.

Doctors punctual america that the flu is simply a superior microorganism that tin person imperishable consequences.

"This tin beryllium life-threatening. It tin get precise severe. Last year's flu play was 1 of the highest instances of hospitalizations, peculiarly for children and this twelvemonth we are already seeing rates of hospitalizations that are adjacent higher than past year," says Dr. Maccalli.

Doctors accidental respiratory symptoms, including cough and trouble breathing, are besides reasons 1 should question aesculapian attention.

Again, they punctual radical that prevention is key, which includes predominant hand-washing.

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