What is super flu, and is last year’s vaccine still effective against it?

Officially termed subclade K, the super flu is a new variant of influenza A (H3N2) and has been sweeping parts of the globe in recent months.

Subclade K viruses had been detected in more than 34 countries over the last six months, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a December 10 brief on its website.

The Philippines’ Department of Health said that the super flu was still undetected in the nation as of late December, but other countries in Southeast Asia, including neighboring Thailand, had already reported cases of the new flu variant.

According to pulmonologist Maricar Limpin, people who catch the new flu variant may experience prolonged symptoms of up to seven days, which include cough, cold, itchy throat, fever, and body aches.

Available vaccines are still effective against the flu virus, she said, noting that the shots prevent symptoms from getting severe, especially for those who have pre-existing conditions or weakened immunity.

“Even if there are some genetic differences between the circulating influenza viruses and the strains included in the vaccines,” the WHO also said, “the seasonal influenza vaccine may still provide protection against drifting viruses and the other virus strains included in the vaccine.”

Limpin, however, noted that nearly all the flu vaccines in the Philippines had already expired last year, so waiting for a fresh batch of the jabs would be prudent.

“Kailangan pa rin nating hintayin ‘yung bagong batch na lalabas na bakuna para masiguro natin na ‘yung kukuhain nating bakuna ay effective talaga,” she said.

She warned that the chilly weather in the country could lead to more cases of respiratory illnesses in the next few weeks.

She also advises that a person who experiences flu symptoms beyond seven days to see a doctor to get proper treatment. (ABS-CBN News)