Flu season spans from early fall into the early spring season, however, cases tend to sky rocket in the colder winter months. The flu is known to cause severe symptoms, even in healthy adults. However, some years the flu seems more contagious and more severe than normal. This phenomenon is often referred to as a ‘super flu’ season, and this year’s flu season is no exception with cases increasing across the country by the day. Keep reading to learn more about this year’s flu symptoms.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of the flu, rapid intervention is essential. If taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, antiviral medications can be extremely effective in resolving flu symptoms. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, our walk-in clinic in Bound Brook, New Jersey provides rapid flu testing and treatment 7 days a week on a walk-in basis! Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance using the button below.
Understanding the Difference Between the ‘Super Flu’ and Regular Flu
The ‘super flu’ is a term used to describe a particularly prevalent or severe flu strain. The flu can always lead to severe illness, even for healthy adults. While the flu vaccine usually keeps cases mild and helps reduce the spread, it doesn’t completely eliminate the flu. The super flu is often a stain of the influenza virus which is not included in the annual flu vaccine. This results in more widespread flu cases, as well as more severe and long lasting flu symptoms if you do contract a case of the flu.
Common Symptoms Associated With This Year’s “Super Flu”
Extremely Sudden Onset
One of the most commonly reported features of this year’s flu which is making it particularly hard hitting is that symptoms appear very suddenly. Many patients with the flu note that symptoms appear out of nowhere and are often very severe from the get go, rather than starting off mild and building to become more severe over time.
Extreme Fatigue
With symptoms being very sudden onset, the feeling of fatigue is notably severe with this year’s super flu strain. In most cases, fatigue is long lasting and leaves patients with the flu feeling like they’ve been ‘hit by a car’ for the entire time that they’re sick.
Dry Cough
The flu is a respiratory illness, however, a severe cough is not always recorded in flu cases. Nasal congestion and sore throats are much more commonly associated with cases of the flu. However, this year’s ‘super flu’ seems to be causing a severe dry cough, in addition to other illness symptoms.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for Rapid Flu Diagnosis & Treatment
This year’s flu strain has been nicknamed the ‘super flu’, and is notably causing more severe and long lasting symptoms than the flu normally does. Part of this is because the strain circulating was not targeted in this year’s flu vaccination, which is leading to a very high number of flu cases compared to previous flu seasons.
If you’re feeling sick and think you could have the flu, it’s vital that you act quickly and seek medical care. Antiviral medications can help alleviate symptoms and clear up a case of the flu quickly, but only when administered within 48 hours of symptom onset. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, we offer same-day flu testing on a walk-in basis with rapid results, as well as flu-symptom treatment. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans, and we have affordable self-pay rates. Walk in today for same-day care.
