New Flu Strain Going Around

[DogDad]

My wife and I both came down with what I suspect is that new very contagious flu strain. I don't recall catching the flu since the 1980s, but this one made me feel like I got hit by a truck. Due to the snow/ice storm, we did not go out and try to see a doctor, so this is just presumption on my part as to what it is. Both of us have been very congested, feverish > 101, lots of sneezing and really bad chills and body aches. I am not sure whether Tamiflu would have helped, but I am starting to think it makes sense to keep this drug on hand just in case, although I don't know what the shelf life is for storing it for future use. My suggestion is get treatment ASAP if possible as its a nasty one. We both had our flu shots back in October.

 

[ArmchairMillionaire]

DMIL just had a bad case of influenza. It was pretty bad. When she went in to get checked out, they said she was severely dehydrated and had to give her fluids through an IV for an hour and a half.

She also got her flu (and COVID) shots pretty early this season - maybe late September.

Took about 10 days for her to feel better.

 

[Sorcerer]

Yep, it's going around. And guess what, the flu shot this season won't do anything to help. Another dud. I'm getting on a plane in a week. Already anticipating being sick on the flight home from the flight there! Can't wait.

 

[Al18]

It may help if you wear a a 3 ply mask while you’re on the plane. It’s helped me and my wife the past 2 years when flying.

 

[bluelight]

We were supposed to leave on a cruise on Dec 30th. Dec 28th my husband woke up feeling horrible and and had a bad cough. Sent him to urgent care and he tested positive for flu A . I got it the next day. So much for the cruise. We were both started on Tamiflu immediately. Overall it wasn't bad, cough for a couple of weeks, low grade fever and chills for about a week. I assume the combo of having taken the vaccine and the Tamiflu helped us. The worst was the crushing fatigue. Some days I couldn't get out of bed. The fatigue stayed around for over 2 weeks.

 

[mystang52]

Yep, I caught that strain and it was a brutal mother-f&*%$!. Fever that resolved in a few days, only to come back couple of days later, and I suffered with a hacking cough for 2 weeks. I exercise daily, when I'm not sick. Even after my recovery, it took a good 4 weeks to feel my exercising come back to normal.

 

[Dtail]

I got a Rhinovirus late last month. Kind of a cousin to the flu, but no fever. It did last 10 days though.

 

[Alan]

I'm due for a trip to the hospital for knee surgery in a week's time and am hoping to avoid the flu for a while. However, I'll be taking my BIL to hospital for a colonoscopy tomorrow and hospitals are notorious for being full of sick people.

I assume the US flu strain causing the issues is the same one that has hit the UK but other than starting early it is turning out to be a normal sort of flu season here (see chart in article below). Also the flu vaccine included the H3N2 strain and although it is a variant of this strain that is so infectious (subclade-K) the vaccine this year is said to still be very effective in reducing the symptoms.

What's really going on with flu this winter?

We've been told we're facing an unprecedented superflu. Is it?

www.bbc.co.uk

The flu season took off a month early in the UK hinting the virus may have the potential to spread more widely than normal and it was too late to adjust this year's flu vaccine to match the new mutations.

That was the concern, but the reality has been more in line with a normal flu than a super flu.

 

[JoeWras]

I'm due for a trip to the hospital for knee surgery in a week's time and am hoping to avoid the flu for a while. However, I'll be taking my BIL to hospital for a colonoscopy tomorrow and hospitals are notorious for being full of sick people.

I assume the US flu strain causing the issues is the same one that has hit the UK but other than starting early it is turning out to be a normal sort of flu season here (see chart in article below). Also the flu vaccine included the H3N2 strain and although it is a variant of this strain that is so infectious (subclade-K) the vaccine this year is said to still be very effective in reducing the symptoms.

What's really going on with flu this winter?

We've been told we're facing an unprecedented superflu. Is it?

www.bbc.co.uk

Yes, Alan, US being hit with this same subclade-K that people have very little experience with.

DW had sinus surgery 2 weeks ago. For the week before, we enacted COVID protocols to avoid getting it. The last thing you want recovering from sinus surgery is the flu.

 

[gromit]

The number of new flu cases is beginning to slow down some after peaking over the Christmas holidays but remains high in some states. CDC FluView surveillance estimates how many flu cases there have been so far, including people that ride it out without medical help. As of 1/17 they estimate at least 18 million cases in the US. They also published totals showing at least 250,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths this flu season.

 

[zaqxsw]

Both the wife and I got a bug the end of November 2025 that lasted almost two months. Worst in our lives and we're in our early 70's. Saw doctors twice, but no joy. DW ears were plugged for almost two months. We both had Flu and COVID vaccines back in October.

We barely got packed and made a strenuous trip to Florida on shear willpower for the month of January. It cleared up down here after a week.

 

[audreyh1]

Both the wife and I got a bug the end of November 2025 that lasted almost two months. Worst in our lives and we're in our early 70's. Saw doctors twice, but no joy. DW ears were plugged for almost two months. We both had Flu and COVID vaccines back in October.

We barely got packed and made a strenuous trip to Florida on shear willpower for the month of January. It cleared up down here after a week.

So do you think it was location/climate dependent or just timing?

 

[zaqxsw]

So do you think it was location/climate dependent or just timing?

Just timing, but sun and warm weather sure made us feel better. We both also had coughs for almost two months. It got serious when doing anything physical. Couldn’t breathe. Wondered occasionally if I would make it. Not COVID but sure seemed as bad.

 

[EastWest Gal]

I'm due for a trip to the hospital for knee surgery in a week's time and am hoping to avoid the flu for a while. However, I'll be taking my BIL to hospital for a colonoscopy tomorrow and hospitals are notorious for being full of sick people.

I assume the US flu strain causing the issues is the same one that has hit the UK but other than starting early it is turning out to be a normal sort of flu season here (see chart in article below). Also the flu vaccine included the H3N2 strain and although it is a variant of this strain that is so infectious (subclade-K) the vaccine this year is said to still be very effective in reducing the symptoms.

What's really going on with flu this winter?

We've been told we're facing an unprecedented superflu. Is it?

www.bbc.co.uk

Alan, your comments are spot on. There are home tests for Covid, Influenza A and B available in pharmacies and stores. The H3N2 strain going around is more severe and infectious, but the vaccine partially works.

There are two medications that are effective in reducing symptoms and preventing complications. Tamiflu, which is now available as a generic, is inexpensive. It is a 5 day course-one 75 mg tablet twice daily. The other one Xofluza, is more effective in reducing infections household exposures by reducing viral shedding more rapidly. It is taken as a single dose. Yes, it is more expensive. Both are best started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.

Tamiflu is also well studied for prevention. Taken as a preventative, once a day for up to six weeks, can reduce your risk of getting flu. Worth considering if you are at higher risk of complications, immunocompromised, etc.

Flu rates are dropping-we have had an early flu season. RSV season tends to peak in January. Metapneumonia virus is increasing. Covid seems to have peaked, much lower than last summer.

This website reports monitoring of wastewater for a variety of viruses. It gives results nationwide and regionally.

Home - Wastewater talks. We listen.

 

[Alan]

Alan, your comments are spot on. There are home tests for Covid, Influenza A and B available in pharmacies and stores. The H3N2 strain going around is more severe and infectious, but the vaccine partially works.

I have to go to the hospital on Friday for an antibody blood test prior to admission on Monday. Fingers crossed….

 

[MBAustin]

The Science Friday folks have a good explainer on this year's flu: Flu Subclade K Mutations

ICYMI they now release each segment as a separate podcast episode so you can easily listen to only the items of interest. Always very well done.

 

[Sunset]

Yep, it's going around. And guess what, the flu shot this season won't do anything to help. Another dud. I'm getting on a plane in a week. Already anticipating being sick on the flight home from the flight there! Can't wait.

I wear a mask in airport and on the plane, ever since I got sick by the lady coughing sitting next to me on flight back from HI.

Sick people will still fly as the ticket is not refundable for most or they don't want to miss their trip.

 

[Sunset]

Alan, your comments are spot on. There are home tests for Covid, Influenza A and B available in pharmacies and stores. The H3N2 strain going around is more severe and infectious, but the vaccine partially works.

There are two medications that are effective in reducing symptoms and preventing complications. Tamiflu, which is now available as a generic, is inexpensive. It is a 5 day course-one 75 mg tablet twice daily. The other one Xofluza, is more effective in reducing infections household exposures by reducing viral shedding more rapidly. It is taken as a single dose. Yes, it is more expensive. Both are best started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.

Tamiflu is also well studied for prevention. Taken as a preventative, once a day for up to six weeks, can reduce your risk of getting flu. Worth considering if you are at higher risk of complications, immunocompromised, etc.

Flu rates are dropping-we have had an early flu season. RSV season tends to peak in January. Metapneumonia virus is increasing. Covid seems to have peaked, much lower than last summer.

This website reports monitoring of wastewater for a variety of viruses. It gives results nationwide and regionally.

Home - Wastewater talks. We listen.

Unfortunately still need a prescription for Tamiflu (my internet search).
Pretty annoying, as I'd want it to take on a trip in case of illness like on a cruise.

Fine if I get sick at home. Would phone doc, drive to pharmacy.

 

[shafer9]

My wife and I both came down with what I suspect is that new very contagious flu strain. I don't recall catching the flu since the 1980s, but this one made me feel like I got hit by a truck. Due to the snow/ice storm, we did not go out and try to see a doctor, so this is just presumption on my part as to what it is. Both of us have been very congested, feverish > 101, lots of sneezing and really bad chills and body aches. I am not sure whether Tamiflu would have helped, but I am starting to think it makes sense to keep this drug on hand just in case, although I don't know what the shelf life is for storing it for future use. My suggestion is get treatment ASAP if possible as it’s a nasty one. We both had our flu shots back in October.

It pays to be careful. I started washing my hands more after having Covid three times. I’m really getting tired of it.

 

[teejayevans]

I got a Rhinovirus late last month. Kind of a cousin to the flu, but no fever. It did last 10 days though.

Same, except its been 3 weeks and counting. Everyone seems to have it.

 

[braumeister]

It pays to be careful. I started washing my hands more after having Covid three times. I’m really getting tired of it.

When the Covid pandemic started, I began a habit of religiously washing my hands every time I came back into the house from anywhere, no exceptions. IMHO it's a wonderful habit to have, and I'm sure it has been beneficial. I'll probably keep it up forever. Soap is cheap.

 

[Tuirc]

My wife and I both came down with what I suspect is that new very contagious flu strain. I don't recall catching the flu since the 1980s, but this one made me feel like I got hit by a truck. Due to the snow/ice storm, we did not go out and try to see a doctor, so this is just presumption on my part as to what it is. Both of us have been very congested, feverish > 101, lots of sneezing and really bad chills and body aches. I am not sure whether Tamiflu would have helped, but I am starting to think it makes sense to keep this drug on hand just in case, although I don't know what the shelf life is for storing it for future use. My suggestion is get treatment ASAP if possible as its a nasty one. We both had our flu shots back in October.

My wife and I both got it in January when it was circulating like mad in Virginia. She had it much worse than me with a persistent cough that lasted weeks. I had fairly mild symptoms. No real cough. Initially there was fever and body aches, chills for both of us. Once that was over (3 days?), I just had some mild to medium congestion. No flu shots for either of us.

 

[Flieger]

I am just now (1 week later) starting to feel better from Flu B (according to testing at a doc-in-a-box). I spiked high fever of 102-103 last Tuesday early AM, went for the test, then home since. Nasty cough the last 3-4 days now finally subsiding. Stayed home from my p/t job at the brewery despite not having a fever over the weekend so "theoretically" noncontagious, but headed back today.

This flu was tough. Since pancreatectomy and splenectomy 5 years ago, it seems to me like I have a harder time with recovery from illness. Possibly mental....

Flieger

 

[Jerry1]

When the Covid pandemic started, I began a habit of religiously washing my hands every time I came back into the house from anywhere, no exceptions. IMHO it's a wonderful habit to have, and I'm sure it has been beneficial. I'll probably keep it up forever. Soap is cheap.

Only half the equation. One has to keep their hands away from their face. Touching your nose and eyes is very common for a lot of people. I know I struggle with it.

 

[Andre1969]

I ended up coming down with something, maybe around last Wednesday. So, a week ago. I never did get a fever, but the congestion/sinus pressure has been off the charts. And, aches, chills, weakness. Getting tired really easily. I spent most of Thursday resting, but then forced myself to run some errands on Friday, and do some snow shoveling. I felt like I really was getting better.

But then Saturday got worse. And I pretty much spent Sat-Mon doing nothing but resting. On Monday, the congestion got REALLY bad. Not to get too graphic, but the snot looked thick and white, like mayonnaise. And good lord, I swear I've never blown so much of it in my life! And when I'd cough, I'd feel this sharp pain in both temples.

Yesterday, again I felt well enough to go out and run a few errands, but by around 1 pm I just felt my body crashing. So I relaxed. This morning, when I woke up, I was so tired I just made the coffee, poured my first cup, drank about 1/3 of it, and then fell back asleep to "Sanford and Son." The aches and pains are mostly gone though. The congestion is a lot better. The sinus pressure isn't as bad. When I cough, I still feel it in my temples, but not as bad. Now I'm mainly just tired. I'm about to run some errands, but seriously, I could just as easily crash out on the couch and take a nap.

And still, through all that, I never did get a fever. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. It's just for an annual checkup, but I'm going to bring this up with her, in case it's something serious.