| Current Flu surge across the UK 08:12 - Dec 12 with 280 views | StokieBlue |
The dominant strain in the UK this year is H3N2 "subclade K", a slightly mutated version of H3N2 which is causing the highest number of people being treated in hospital in the first week of December on record [1].
It's putting a lot of strain on the NHS at the moment and will likely continue to rise over the next month. It's nothing like covid levels but it currently equates to 3 NHS trusts and cases increased 55% this week on last week. This is going to cause delays in scheduled operations and general fill up hospitals and covid and RSV are both still circulating and contributing to the problems.
Despite it being slightly mutated thus allowing it to evade a lot of existing immunity the good news is that the vaccine being used this year in the UK is effective against this strain of H3N2.
It's kicked up the old mask debate again with the head of the NHS and the government disagreeing but I suspect in a few weeks time they will be asking for masks to be worn if you're visiting hospital.
I've added a few links below [2] and [3] depending on your preferred source.
SB
[1]. 2660 people per day being treated in hospital, 106 in intensive care [3].
[2]. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crk7j8nxlr6o
[3]. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/11/nhs-bracing-for-worst-ever-winte |  | | |  |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:00 - Dec 12 with 67 views | Guthrum |
I was talking to a nurse yesterday. They've reintroduced mask and visor rules for staff - and have pretty much run out of beds to treat Flu cases. |  |
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| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:04 - Dec 12 with 62 views | mellowblue |
I read that the vaccine is not a good shield to H3N2 but lessens the chances of severe attack.
Applies in my case, anyway. Had the jab but still caught it. 11 days in and still have muscle aches and weakness.
Re masks covid and flu. Covid was often symptom-frees or at least not debilitating so you could still get around with it. You get flu and you won't want to leave the house anyway so I doubt you will be wandering around a hospital with it. |  | | |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:19 - Dec 12 with 33 views | StokieBlue |
| Current Flu surge across the UK on 12:04 - Dec 12 by mellowblue |
I read that the vaccine is not a good shield to H3N2 but lessens the chances of severe attack.
Applies in my case, anyway. Had the jab but still caught it. 11 days in and still have muscle aches and weakness.
Re masks covid and flu. Covid was often symptom-frees or at least not debilitating so you could still get around with it. You get flu and you won't want to leave the house anyway so I doubt you will be wandering around a hospital with it. |
There isn't a lot of data on the effectiveness of the vaccine past that it works on H3N2 so as you say it should provide protection against severe cases of the mutated version.
Some more information here:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/k-virus-flu-h3n2-sy
With regards to masks, flu can be contagious for about a day before symptoms start which whilst a lot less than covid is certainly enough time to allow it to spread.
SB | | | |
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