There have been five reported cases of the flu strain H3N2. None of the patients have died, and they have recovered normally. This is not a panic button event, but it is important enough to bring up.
One case was in a child under five, who had medical problems prior to the flu. Once tested, it was determined that he had Influenza A, H3N2. He had to spend some time in the hospital for the other health problems, but recovered and was sent home. A second case was reported in a girl over five. She did not have underlying health conditions and recovered from the flu.
The symptoms of H3N2 are normal flu type symptoms. There may be an increased risk of breathing problems with this variation, so if you have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, talk to your doctor as soon as you suspect the flu. You can also expect a high temperature, sore throat, muscle aches and a pounding headache.
H3N2 is a form of swine flu, and as such is usually associated with being around pigs. Neither of the children in the above examples have any contact with them, so a human vector is beginning to be suspected.
There’s some good news in this case. Because no one around them (i.e. their parents, etc.) caught it, it may not be a strong link鈥t this point. Nothing about the flu stays the same for very long. It mutates millions of times in the victim’s body alone, so naturally it can mutate quickly into something that easily jumps from human to human.
This brings up an extremely important point. It needs to be tracked, and to track it requires either a doctor or a hospital equipped to test for it. For the most part, very few in health fields recommend that you go out in public with the flu. The chance of it jumping from your body to someone else’s is too great. However, getting an accurate diagnosis is necessary.
If you suspect you have the flu, call your doctor as soon as possible. If they want you to come in for a check up, let them know the minute you walk in the door that you could have it. They will either give you a mask, have you wait away from other patients or both. This is to prevent turning H3N2 into another epidemic. If you do have this illness, it will be vital to track it.
Keep in mind that all forms of the flu can cause complications, even in healthy people. If your symptoms suddenly get worse, you develop breathing difficulties or notice a blue tinge to your lips or nails, it’s time to go to the emergency room. Again, tell them what you have or suspect you have. It could save lives鈥ncluding your own.