This year’s flu season is at an all-time high and is now considered an epidemic across the country. There are currently 43 states with cases of the flu as well as flu-related deaths. The reason for the flu season this year is because one of the flu viruses has mutated.

The new strain of the flu is called H3N2 and is more severe than previous types of the flu. H3N2 has accounted for 95 percent of flu cases this year and is associated with higher rates of hospitalization. So far, there have been 21 pediatric deaths and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 29,000 people will die this year from the flu. In a typical season without the H3N2, the CDC reports that only about 11,000 deaths would occur.

The number of deaths caused by the flu has increased because, against this strain, the flu vaccine is less effective. How well a flu shot works is the product of a few factors: the age and health of the person, how similar the flu vaccine is designed to the virus it has to protect against and how fast the flu is spreading in a community.

The flu shot this year isn’t well “matched” or similar to the H3N2, so the shot isn’t going to protect against this strain very effectively. During the 2003-2004 flu season, there was a mutated strain similar to H3N2, and the flu shot was only found to have a 43 percent chance of preventing the flu.

Since the flu vaccine isn’t going to be a large factor in preventing the spread of the flu, people need to be more cautious and conscious about the virus. The first way to helping stop the spread is knowing and recognizing the flu apart from the common cold. What sets apart the flu from the cold is the high fever and body aches, but the other symptoms include a sore throat and coughing.

“I have never had the flu, but my sister has. She had a fever of over 100, and her entire body ached. She was just really miserable,” Freshman Caiti Chaney said.

If you think that you have the symptoms of the flu, the best thing to do is stay home and make an appointment with a doctor to get an antiviral medication. The virus is stronger this year and flu-related hospitalizations have increased by 40 percent. In order to prevent getting the flu, there are a few simple steps that can be taken.

“I think that washing your hands or using hand sanitizer will really help prevent the flu,” Senior Amanda Herzog said.

The most important thing that you can do is to wash your hands. Also, try to avoid touching your eyes, mouth and ears when your hands aren’t clean because the virus can enter your body through these places. The flu is dangerous this year, so it’s important to take precautions in order to prevent yourself from not only contracting the flu, but also from spreading it.