Even those who are vigilant about getting their flu shots might find themselves coming down with the flu this season. The CDC warns that this year’s flu strain may be worse than in years past.
The strain going around this year is a tough one to begin with. “The most common strain of the virus reported so far this season is influenza A (H3N2),” CNN reports. “In the past, this strain has been linked to higher rates of hospitalization and death, especially for those at high risk for complications, which is usually the very young, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma or heart problems.”
Not only that, but “more than half of the H3N2 viruses tested so far this year have ‘drifted,’ meaning they have mutated slightly from the strain used to make this year’s flu vaccine,” NPR reports.
The CDC recommends that “all persons with influenza-like illness who are at high risk for influenza complications… seek care promptly to determine if treatment with influenza antiviral medications is warranted.”
And, if that should fail to work, we have a list of the county’s best soups to try while recuperating.
