The Rise of a Mutant Flu Strain in the UK
A new strain of the flu, known as H3N2, is causing concern in the UK due to its unusual symptoms and increased severity. Reports suggest that this mutant strain may be leading to more cases of vomiting bile, which has raised alarms among health experts.
Experts believe that the genetic mutations in the H3N2 strain have made it “hotter” and “nastier,” making it more dangerous than typical flu strains. This mutation could leave people more vulnerable to infections and result in more severe symptoms.
Research indicates that H3N2 can cause worse body aches, longer-lasting tiredness, and flu symptoms that appear more suddenly. However, recent reports from patients show that vomiting up ‘yellow bile’ for days has become a key symptom of their flu infection.
Leading virologists are concerned that this could be due to the flu strain impacting appetite more than usual, causing people to avoid eating. As a result, they may be vomiting on an empty stomach because the body has nothing else to expel.
Health officials have also urged individuals with coughs, sore throats, or a runny nose to limit contact with vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions. This is due to fears that these individuals could become seriously unwell if infected with the virus.
Dr. Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, explained that vomiting bile happens because someone is vomiting on an empty stomach. He emphasized the importance of tracking whether this flu is causing people to avoid eating more than usual and if it significantly impacts appetite.
Professor Paul Hunter, a renowned infectious diseases expert from the University of East Anglia, added that vomiting yellow bile occurs after vomiting on an empty stomach due to inflammation of the stomach lining. He noted that it is often mistakenly called “stomach flu,” but it can be part of the flu.
However, vomiting yellow bile is also a key symptom of gastrointestinal viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, Professor Hunter added. These viruses are currently circulating at lower levels, in line with the time of year.
Other key symptoms of the flu include muscle aches, a high temperature, muscle weakness, exhaustion, and a dry cough. Symptoms can often come on fairly suddenly and require bed rest.
Professor Stephen Griffin, an expert in virology at the University of Leeds, advised that for people suffering from vomiting yellow bile, staying hydrated is crucial. He recommended drinking lots of water, even if it’s coming back up, as some will be absorbed.
The early surge in flu cases in the UK has prompted health chiefs to sound the alarm. Experts believe this may be due to the H3N2 strain mutating seven times over the summer. According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the majority of influenza viruses subtyped were H3N2.
The rate of hospital admissions for flu in England stood at 3.8 per 100,000 people last week, up from 2.4 the previous week. This level of admissions is usually not reached until the start of December, according to the UKHSA.
Flu rates remain over three times higher than normal for this time of year, with the highest rates seen in children and young people. Since September, health officials have urged millions eligible to come forward for their Covid and flu jabs to reduce their risk of becoming severely unwell and needing hospital care.
Those invited for top-up doses include the over-65s, care home residents, frontline health and social care workers, and pregnant women. The decision on the design of the vaccine in the UK was made back in February to ensure there was enough time to produce the millions of flu jab doses necessary.
However, given the mutant variant did not appear until June, the vaccine is not expected to offer full protection against the strain. Despite this, experts have cautioned that the vaccine is still vital because it can lessen severe symptoms.
