With flu season ramping up earlier than expected, doctors are warning that a new, potentially more contagious flu variant could make this year’s season more severe.
Early CDC data shows flu activity already surging in states like Colorado, Louisiana, and New York, and national numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks. Physicians say the U.S. often lags behind these trends by about two weeks.
While symptoms remain familiar from the new “K” flu variant — fever, cough, runny nose, and body aches — cases are developing suddenly and may become severe more quickly, making early testing critical.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight about the flu season. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Elizabeth Choma is a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at the GW School of Nursing.
Jennifer Walsh is a clinical assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing and primarily teaches pediatrics and health assessment. She can discuss why babies are at the greatest risk for developing an infection.
Emily Smith, is an associate professor of global health and an expert in infectious diseases and epidemiology, at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Asefeh Faraz Covelli is an associate professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the GW School of Nursing.
April Barbour is an internist with The GW Medical Faculty Associates and an associate professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Caroline Bockus is an assistant professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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