‘Key symptom’ of ugly ‘superflu’ sweeping UK as medical doctors challenge warning
The brutal ‘super flu’ strain is understood to have mutated over the summer and poses an increased risk to vulnerable and older people because it has evolved around the defence offered by the flu jab
The NHS continues to be ravaged by a “super flu” in the wake of a festive period with socialising at its heart.
Health chiefs have been warning the public about fears it could kill thousands in the “worst flu season in decades”. The brutal strain is understood to have mutated over the summer and is said to be “super infectious”, “hotter” and “nastier” than the usual winter flu.
Worryingly, the strain appears to have evolved beyond the defences of the current flu jab. This means older and vulnerable people have less protection from developing a strong case of the illness.
The “super flu” strain appears to have a particularly brutal symptom as well as the normal chest pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. Huge numbers of patients have reported vomiting yellow bile, a liquid produced in the liver and helps to break down fats in the small intestine.
The horrific yellow bile symptom occurs when patients are vomiting on an empty stomach. Medics have explained the symptom has become prevalent because the virus is suppressing appetites.
Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, said: “Vomiting bile happens because someone is vomiting on an empty stomach.”
Prof Nicola Lewis, the director of the World Influenza Centre at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “We haven’t seen a virus like this for a while, these dynamics are unusual.
“It does concern me, absolutely. I’m not panicking, but I am worried.”
Meanwhile, Dr Victoria Shotton, a GP in Scotland, told how her surgery has seen three times as many patients presenting with the flue.
She said: “We are seeing a massive increase in presentations on a daily basis. It has started early this year and is more severe than last year. Unfortunately, it looks like this year’s jab isn’t offering the same protection as last year.
“Through no fault of anyone involved, it isn’t quite covering the main strain that’s going around. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth getting because it will still offer some protection and prevent the flu from getting so serious that you need to go to hospital.”
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