The mutated H3N2 strain is driving the unusually early and intense start to flu season (Image: Getty)

Everything you need to know about the UK's flu wave

A mutated flu strain known as H3N2 (or subclade K) is fuelling an unusually early UK flu season. This variant has become dominant and is believed to be more contagious than previous versions of the virus.

Flu cases are surging, with hospital admissions nearly doubling in a week and the NHS reporting record-high flu hospitalisations for this time of year.

Flu symptoms, which include high fever, body aches and fatigue, among others, appear suddenly.

The strain has diverged from the version used in this year's flu jab, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maintains that the vaccine still offers significant protection, urging all

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