By KENDRA MANN, WJLA
WASHINGTON (WJLA) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a second wave of the flu has hit and this time, it's the B strain of the influenza virus that's spreading, according to CNN.
The A strain had previously dominated this flu season, but now the CDC says parents need to remain vigilant of the B strain -- especially those with younger children.
Parents of young children have reason to be watchful as the flu season ends. B strains, which can be more severe for younger children, dominated the latest CDC flu report https://t.co/36otGryXjg pic.twitter.com/Sl9zaw9ggN
— CNN (@CNN) March 23, 2018
"We know that illness associated with influenza B can be just as severe as illness associated with influenza A," CDC spokeswoman Kirsten Nordlund told CNN. "We also know that influenza B tends to be more severe for younger children."
The CDC says 58 percent of recent reports for the week ending March 17 were from the B strain, not the A strain.
Overall, H3N2 flu viruses have predominated this season, but latest #FluView shows influenza B viruses are now more common than influenza A viruses. https://t.co/ycVdIWwWhU pic.twitter.com/hK3GjPG5Vd
— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) March 27, 2018
Officials add that just because you have had the flu this season doesn't mean you're in the clear; it's possible to get sick with a different strain in the same season.
The CDC recommends anyone who hasn't gotten their flu shot yet to do so now.
