San Diego is beginning to see troubling signs of what health officials have long warned: a potentially severe flu season in the coming months.
Forty percent of the students at Patrick Henry High School were sick late last week — the result was a suspected flu outbreak.
Equally alarming is the number of children hospitalized in San Diego County with the respiratory virus RSV, a version of the common cold that can cause shortness of breath and in some cases viral pneumonia in children.
dr. Mark Sawyer, an infectious disease specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital and UC San Diego, says the region may have a worse flu season than previous years.
Sawyer points to high cases of flu in the Southern Hemisphere, which has just concluded its flu season, as a possible red flag.
He also points to higher absenteeism than usual at this point in the year.
“We’ve already started seeing more cases than we already are in October … those two things together are causing people to worry that we’re going to see a really big (flu) season,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer joined Midday Edition on Tuesday with more on the approaching flu season.
Is H3N2 bird flu?
The 1968 pandemic was caused by an influenza A (H3N2) virus consisting of two genes from an avian influenza A virus, including a novel H3 hemagglutinin, but also contained the N2 neuraminidase from the 1957 H2N2 virus. was first noticed in the United States in September 1968.
Is H3N2 the Swine Flu? What is H3N2v? H3N2v is a non-human flu virus that normally circulates in pigs and has infected humans. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are ‘swine influenza viruses’. When these viruses infect humans, they are called “variant” viruses.
What type of virus is H3N2?
Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs are called “variant” viruses when they are found in humans. Influenza A H3N2 variant viruses (also known as â H3N2vâ viruses) containing the matrix (M) gene of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus were first discovered in humans in July 2011.
What was the H3N2 flu called?
The 1968 pandemic was caused by the influenza A/Hong Kong/1968 (H3N2) virus.
Is H3N2 Type A or B?
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses have formed many separate, genetically distinct clades in recent years that still circulate together. Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtypes, but are instead further classified into two lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.
What was the H3N2 flu called?
The 1968 pandemic was caused by the influenza A/Hong Kong/1968 (H3N2) virus.
What was H3N2 called?
Influenza A (H3N2) variant virus, or H3N2v, was first identified in pigs in the United States in 2010. In 2011, 12 cases of human infection with H3N2v occurred in five different states (excluding Virginia).
What are the names of the flu in the past?
Since 1900, five flu pandemics have occurred: the Spanish flu in 1918-1920, the most severe flu pandemic, the Asian flu in 1957, the Hong Kong flu in 1968, the Russian flu in 1977, and the swine flu pandemic in 2009.
How can you avoid getting the flu?
Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against the Flu
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. …
- Stay home if you are sick. …
- Cover your mouth and nose. …
- Clean your hands. …
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. …
- Practice other good health habits.
Can the flu be prevented? The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. It reduces the chance that you will get the flu.
What kills the flu virus in the body?
Fever Fever fights flu viruses. Because viruses are sensitive to temperature changes and cannot survive above normal body heat, your body uses a fever to destroy them. Muscle aches and pains You can get sore muscles with the flu because it is also a product of your body’s immune response.
Can you naturally prevent the flu?
The immune system is the body’s defense against flu viruses and other germs. You don’t need to buy a gym membership: Activities as simple as taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood a few times a week can help you stay healthy this flu season.
Is it possible to avoid flu?
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. The flu virus is constantly changing. Every year, scientists work together to identify the virus strains they believe will cause the most disease, and a new vaccine is created based on their recommendations.
What are the best vitamins to fight the flu?
Vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and other supplements may provide a benefit against colds and flu, but they should only serve to supplement your main defensive arsenal: good hygiene, proper hydration, healthy diet, good sleep, stress management and exercise.
Which vitamin protects against colds and flu? Vitamin C has been studied for many years as a possible treatment for the common cold, or as a way to help prevent the common cold.