Flu Season Hits Hard: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

The flu is spreading fast this season, and a new version called subclade K is causing a lot of trouble. This strain is different from last year's, and it's making more people sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that flu activity is very high in many states, with millions already infected and over 3, 000 deaths so far. Surprisingly, only a small number of adults and children have gotten the flu shot, which could be a big reason why so many are getting sick. Experts say this flu season might last for weeks, and the current flu shot might not be as effective against subclade K. This is because the virus has changed, and the vaccine was made before this new version appeared. However, getting the flu shot can still help protect you from getting very sick, even if it doesn't stop the flu completely.It's not too late to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to work, and flu season can last for months. So, if you haven't gotten the shot yet, it's a good idea to do so. This can help protect you from the flu as the season continues. Some areas are seeing bigger outbreaks than others. New York was one of the first states hit hard by subclade K, and now other states are seeing a rise in cases. Experts say this is normal because the flu doesn't spread evenly across the country at the same time. Everyone can get the flu, but some people are more at risk for severe illness. This includes young children and older adults. So far, there's no evidence that subclade K is more dangerous than other flu strains, but more people are getting sick because they don't have immunity to this new version.