The flu, ever the same and ever different, has once again shown us new paths

Abstract

The influenza virus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to its well-known respiratory impact, multiple studies have shown that it can act as a trigger for major clinical events (AMI, stroke, diabetic decompensation, among others), which are equally preventable or mitigable by the available vaccine (1, 2). 

The emergence of a new variant (subclade) of the influenza A (H3N2) virus raised concerns among the medical community and the general population and prompted the publication of several documents by various scientific societies with the aim of providing clear information and practical tools, as well as including vaccination recommendations and specific considerations for both those who had not been vaccinated during the 2025 season and those who had received their vaccines in a timely manner (3).

This editorial aims to contribute some reflections to the debate based on this scenario, improve understanding of the disease, learn about its global impact, and facilitate control strategies.