THE UK has been hit with a wave of influenza this winter – leaving Brits facing what could be the worst flu season in 50 years.
First came a deadly strain dubbed Aussie flu, sweeping across the country, but now another strain, Japanese flu, is plaguing the country, with a sharp rise in cases. This is what we know…
What is Japanese flu?
Japanese flu is a type of influenza B.
The flu, or influenza, is categorised into three main types, A, B and C – with A strains being the most severe.
Aussie flu and swine flu, which reached pandemic levels in the winter of 2009/10, are both forms of influenza A – and are particularly potent because they can jump from species to species.
Influenza B is a strain that only affects humans, meaning it can’t spread from species to species, like bird flu and swine flu – both A strains.
Japanese flu is easily spread among children, because their immune systems are more susceptible.
And kids are less likely to follow hand washing guidelines, making them “super spreaders”.
As a result, it’s easier for Japanese flu to spread faster than strains like Aussie flu.
How is Japanese flu spread?
Like any other strain of the flu, Japanese flu – also known as Yamagata flu – is spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
If you have the flu you are infectious for around four days before symptoms show and for the first five days of being sick.
The virus can live outside the body for up to 24 hours.
Japanese flu may be a less severe strain of flu that the Aussie flu, but it is still highly contagious.
If you come into contact with someone who is ill with flu chances are you will get it too.
Be sure to wash your hands regularly and always sneeze and cough into a tissue to avoid spreading the germs.
Health experts advise anyone with the flu or flu-like symptoms should stay home until they are well again to avoid spreading the bug.
What are the symptoms of Japanese flu?
The symptoms of Japanese flu are similar to any other strain of flu.
If you have it you may experience:
- coughing and sneezing
- a runny nose
- high temperature/fever
- muscles aches and pains
If you do come down with the flu the best thing you can do it drink plenty of water, keep warm and get plenty of rest.
You can also take ibuprofen and paracetamol to ease your symptoms.
There is no need to see your GP unless the illness lasts more than a week.
If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or begin to cough up blood you should seek immediate medical help.
How can you protect yourself from Japanese flu?
The best way you can protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated.
While the standard adult flu jab doesn’t protect against “Japanese flu”, the quadrivalent vaccine does offer protection against the bug.
Each year the World Health Organisation recommends which flu strains should be included in the yearly jab.
The standard jab protects against three strains – swine flu (H1N1), a cousin of “Aussie flu” (H3N2) and a B strain.
Meanwhile, another jab also available, protects against a fourth type, another B strain – Yamagata or Phuket flu, also known as “Japanese flu”.
The NHS offers a free flu jab – but only to certain age and health groups.
Children aged two to four years will be given the vaccine at their general practice – usually by the practice nurse.
Young kids in school years one to three are likely to receive their vaccine at school.
Pregnant women and anyone aged 65-years and older are eligible for a free jab.
But also, people with long-term heart or respiratory diseases or weakened immune systems will get a free jab.
Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s all offer jab’s which can cost up to £20.
However people can pay for the vaccination privately.
How many people have been affected by Japanese flu?
During the week starting on Monday January 8, more than 4,500 people were admitted to hospital with flu – up 11 per cent on the previous seven days.
More than 60 per cent (2,754 patients) were suffering influenza B, the vast majority caused by Japanese flu, the latest figures reveal.
Experts warned that Japanese flu is rife, posing a particular threat to kids.
Of 180 flu tests carried out by Public Health England so far this winter, 63 tested positive for Aussie flu, 63 identified the strain of influenza B known as Japanese flu, while 50 detected swine flu.
New figures also suggested that the latest flu outbreak could reach an epidemic in two weeks – after over 4,500 people were admitted to hospital with flu.