12/30/2025
Dr. Susan Laenger, medical director and primary care physician at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, recently spoke with WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola about the rise in flu cases across Northwest Florida.
The culprit is subclade K, a variant of influenza A that appears to spread more easily between people. Dr. Laenger said urgent care centers have been "very busy" treating flu patients, with a noticeable surge over the holiday season.
Subclade K causes familiar flu symptoms including headache, fever, body aches, cough and runny nose. The good news is that Tamiflu remains effective against this variant, and the flu vaccine provides protection.
If you experience mild symptoms, contact your primary care provider or visit urgent care. Seek emergency care for severe symptoms like significant shortness of breath, chest pain or difficulty breathing.
As flu season continues, staying informed and taking preventive action remain our best defense. Watch the story to learn more: http://ascn.io/6180CeLNY
