Mutant spreads

Flu wave reaches its peak at Christmas

(Bild: Malena Brenek)

As reported, the flu epidemic has hit Austria with full force a month earlier than usual. And according to forecasts, it will probably peak right around the holidays. The situation is exacerbated by the new, mutated variant of the virus, which is spreading rapidly.

People are coughing, shivering, sweating, and running fevers—and in the worst case, Christmas will be a washout for many this year. The flu epidemic is currently rampant in Austria. Recently, there has been a massive increase in cases. 

This year, a lot is different
What is striking this year is the much earlier start of the wave in the country: while in previous years the peak of infections was reached in January, this year it has already arrived during the Christmas season and at the turn of the year. 

(Bild: Malena Brenek)

Another notable feature is that the H1N1 influenza variant is increasingly being displaced. "80 percent of cases are now caused by H3N2; the rest by H1N1," said Judith Aberle, professor of virus immunology at Meduni Vienna, on X. Although the new mutant is not apparently more dangerous per se and does not cause more severe illness, it could be more easily transmissible or contagious.

An additional problem is that the flu vaccine is not a perfect match due to the mutation and is therefore less effective. "But initial data from the UK suggests that the vaccine still reduces severe cases of flu and hospitalizations," Aberle said. The virologist also noted an increase in hospital admissions due to influenza.

Influenza, COVID-19, or a cold?
Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-19? A sudden onset of symptoms is typical of an influenza infection, compared to COVID-19 or a cold, where symptoms tend to develop gradually with increasing intensity. Possible symptoms include high fever, severe fatigue with muscle pain, headaches, and coughing. In severe cases, there is a risk of developing pneumonia or having a heart attack.