A new, more powerful flu strain has just hit Colorado

DENVER (KCNC) – One would think that now that we have reached the month of March, we should stop and free ourselves from the flu.

Ah, maybe we should all think again.

According to the CDC, the less severe strain of flu that nailed people right after Thanksgiving until early February is now being replaced by a more potent and more harmful strain. This is a problem that makes people much more sick than the previous virus in circulation.

The CDC report has been published in recent days, but I think those of us working in emergency rooms, clinics or offices have noticed something a little unusual since mid-February. That is to say, people who were counted with fever, chills, cough … and they were simply placed on the stretcher or on the examination table when we examined them. More sick than we were used to.

And these people usually lit up with a positive test for influenza A.

Here's where I'm going with this one – the oldest germ was a strain of the A-flu – the H1N1.

And so is this new guy. It is an "A" and is classified as an H3N2.

The problem is that our general tests can not tell the difference between the two. It can usually only be an influenza "A" or "B". However, our patients were seriously ill and often suffered from pneumonia or dehydration, as well as a dizzying fever that would not stop altogether. We speak easily 103-104 readings here.

The number of people who can not get out of bed has gone up, as has the number of people we have admitted to the hospital. And the story of "the apparition" is universal: "I felt good for a minute, then I felt hit by a truck the next".

The main complications are pneumonia, uncontrollable diabetes, uncontrolled asthma, heart attacks and strokes (because of the enormous pressure these diseases exert on the body).

Now things are getting worse.

This year's flu season, which we were hoping to be sweet and about to end early, is now a new ugly face. It's worse, and it'll stay here for a while. The CDC believes that we will take care of it until May. And young children are the most exposed, even if all age groups are susceptible.

In fact, people born after 2001 have little or no immunity against this strain or its variants.

Now the good news: IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR A FLU!

Even if the vaccine is not 100% effective in prevention, it will decrease the severity and duration of the disease.

The people I've seen with this new strain and who have been immunized are generally less sick.

So be on the lookout. Take care of yourself. Get your rest. Eat well. Do not drink it. And get vaccinated if you have not rolled up your sleeves this season. Be careful, and remember that it's not too late.