Factbox: The H3N2 flu strain and how to prevent it

11 Jul 2012, 7:16 pm   -   Source: Rhiannon Elston, SBS
Share This
0 
+ Comment
14

Medical experts are warning of the resurgence of a deadly flu strain sweeping Australia this winter.

RELATED

Medical experts are warning of the resurgence of a deadly flu strain sweeping Australia this winter.

WHAT IS H3N2?

It's a strain of influenza that is particularly virulent within Australia this year. More than 5000 cases of the H3N2 and Type B strains have been diagnosed across the country already this season, according to data provided from the Department of Health and Aging to the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) this week. 

WHY IS THE H3N2 STRAIN A MAJOR CONCERN RIGHT NOW? HASN'T IT BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS?

The current strain has been around for 44 years, says Professor Robert Booy from the Influenza Specialist Group at the University of Sydney. It is an RNA virus, which are problematic to prevent because they are constantly mutating. “These viruses are poor at accurately copying themselves when they replicate, so that means that instead of being a clone, one virus is slightly different to the next one.”

The virus is therefore able to out-race our natural barrier to infection – building up antibodies over time.

WHY IS IT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS?

It’s the volume of cases being reported that are most concerning to Australian scientists, says Dr Ian Barr of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research, based in Melbourne. “The unusual thing is we haven’t seen the virus circulate in large numbers since 2007.”

The Google data resource Flu Trends, supported by scientists, shows a significant jump in flu activity this winter, compared to 2011 (see image below) and 2010.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Children under nine have been the hardest age group hit by infection, but the very elderly – those over 75 – are considered most at risk, because there is a higher chance of infection leading to death.   

Indigenous Australians are also at increased risk, says Professor Booy. “[This is] partly because, on average, their living conditions are poorer and more crowded, and partly because they have more chronic diseases,” he says.

IS IT TOO LATE TO VACCINATE?

Vaccination is “the safest and the most effective way to protect against life threatening infections like influenza,” says Professor Booy. He says it's still possible to go to your GP and get a preventative jab. 

It’s not too late if you haven’t already had the flu this year, adds Dr Barr. Flu data show seasons with a severe uptake reach a peak, and we haven’t yet seen this season’s peak.

That means the worst could be yet to come. “It’s hard to say whether it will keep going up or tail off,” Professor Booy says.

HOW ELSE CAN YOU PREVENT GETTING THE FLU?

Antiviral medication may be an option, particularly for the elderly or other high-risk groups. Visit your GP for more information.

Regular hand-washing, staying away from people who are coughing and sneezing and staying home if you are sick are the best ways to prevent illness, Professor Booy says. “And smile instead of shaking hands."

Flu Virus , Rhiannon Elston SBS

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Catch it, bin it, kill it.

Belly - from Here, 11 months ago

Sneezing into your hands is gross. I've seen so many at work sneeze their grot onto their hands, then touch communal phones, mouse/keyboards, door handles and so on. Sneeze into a tissue (catch it) Throw it away (bin it) Wash your hands/use alcohol rub (kill it) It's what we teach our children too, especially the littlies who have no clue how to smother a sneeze. Or better yet, if you're sick, stay home!! Flu can be deadly, don't pass it onto someone who can't fight it off.

Flu Shot Investigation

Ben - from Bellingen, 11 months ago

How about a full Independent investigation on all levels of Vaccines. "non government and Pharma funded" Bad food choices, lack of minerals in the food and the earth, sugar induced population, now fatter than America.! what hope do we have with shoonks running this place..? After years of not having the flu, and wondering why I do not get it..? water fastening has done me a world of good, starve the virus, works well for me, but not for all.!

What new germs are out there?

Taryn - from Brisbane, Qld, 11 months ago

A third antibiotic shook a cough that I have had for 3 months.What new germs are out there?

'snot bad

Alex - from Cairns, 11 months ago

If you don't sneeze into your hands, where/what are you supposed to sneeze into?

Wear a face mask

Siewy - from Liverpool, Sydney, 11 months ago

I think the social etiquette of wearing a face mask in public areas when you have a cough, cold or flu should be promoted in our society. This has become a norm in Hong Kong and Japan etc and no one feels embarrassed about wearing a mask. It prevents the spread of diseases, and in case you cough or sneeze while among other people, you feel less guilty because you have covered yourself. Of course the quality and hygiene of the mask is important for this purpose.

Berengere - from Sydney, 11 months ago

Being hygienic, yes, being a sterile freak, no! It's not because you've seen it on Telly that it's good for you! A built-up immunity like Ben said, with some exposure together with a healthy and balanced lifestyle with more organic food and less over the counter chemical drugs, that will help to get through! As for the jab, I guess big pharma needs your $$$ :) For those with low memory span we were all supposed to die from the deadly H1N1 strain... And here we go again with some flashy title talking about some deadly H3N2 strain... Scare factors always work for big pharma :) of course I'm not saying that the influenza viruses are not without risks but come on people, we live in a western society, in a developed country!... With or without the flu, with or without vaccines, people will die, this is our human lot, but now we know our lifestyle can dramatically change and further away this ending! It's up to us not to chemicals and drugs!

Try again

Trevor - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

Please explain why coughing/sneezing snot into hands is BAD. See published standards at Aus Gov. This news clip reinforces common practices that help transmit flu viruses. Do something about it.

exposed

Ben - from Port Macquarie , 11 months ago

Agreed Ian and Belinda are each a combination of right and wrong. Neither are a good source for information I will say this though - when was the last time your doctor had time off due to the flu I am a doctor and have NEVER had time off for any malady Right or wrong neither myself or my colleagues get sick very often as opposed to the first few years in practice when we were sick all the time The message- it seems obvious exposure strengthens and avoidance weakens immunity.

Combating laziness with laziness?

Name - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

No mention of eating your greens to stay healthy? What a joke! Instead subject your body to a cocktail of who knows what and rely on medicine only? When a professor (not a GP!) recommends you get a vaccination, you have to ask yourself why you're taking advice from a professor and not using your own common sense and doing the research for a healthy lifestyle on your own.

Hand care

Trevor - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

The news clip showed several people sneezing & coughing into their hands. These were very poor examples, as reference to standard guidelines would tell you. Please look at them so you can advise viewers how to take care of their infectious waste & decontaminate their hands. It's not difficult, and a bit of care on your part would have prevented the reinforcement of bad practices that lead to the spread of viruses. Do the responsible thing and post links and/or provide embedded educational videos

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.