HOUSTON – Houston might still feel like summer, but flu season isn’t waiting for temperatures to fall in line.
Doctors say cases are now doubling every week, a surge hitting earlier than usual and powered mostly by influenza A, the strain known for packing the hardest punch.
“Flu cases have been doubling really since about mid-October,” said Dr. Wesley Long, Medical Director of Microbiology at Houston Methodist. “The number of positive patients that we’ve seen with flu in any of our clinics in the Houston Methodist system has been doubling about week over week.”
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The surge is evident in the numbers.
Houston Methodist reported an increase from 274 cases on November 5 to more than 500 cases last week.
The predominant strain is influenza A.
“The flu that most of us think of that really starts early in the season is what they call flu A. It’s typically the more severe flu,” Long explained.
Understanding Flu Season
The respiratory virus season, commonly known as flu season, typically runs from October through early spring, potentially lasting into April.
While medical experts are monitoring the increase in cases, they remain cautious about making predictions about the season’s severity.
“That’s something that’s always difficult to predict and is easier to see in hindsight,” Long said when asked about the potential for a severe flu season. “What I can say for certain is that we are seeing cases increase right now.”
The spread is already being felt at the neighborhood level. “A lot of our neighbors it was like flu, flu, flu,” said Kelly Reynolds, a Houston parent of two young children. “You’re really sensitive to when other kids show up sick because you’re like, no, not us, too.”
More Than Covering Your Cough
Medical experts emphasize two key strategies to combat the flu’s spread:
- Get vaccinated: The flu shot remains the most effective protection against severe outcomes.
- Stay home when sick: Whether it’s keeping children home from school or adults avoiding work, preventing transmission is crucial.
“We do have a very safe and effective flu vaccine that’s your best protection against getting severe flu and having severe outcomes from flu,” Long emphasized.
For those who suspect they have the flu, Long recommends getting tested promptly.
“There are antiviral medications that are effective for flu that won’t be effective for other respiratory viruses,” he explained. “If you are positive for flu, there are antiviral medicines that can help shorten the course of the illness.”
Other Respiratory Illnesses
While flu cases are rising, COVID-19 cases remain low in the Houston area.
“COVID is very low. Flu is increasing quite a bit. So flu is probably the number one concern,” Long noted.
However, he added that RSV and common cold viruses are also circulating during this respiratory virus season.
Medical professionals remind the public that basic hygiene practices, including hand washing and covering coughs and sneeze, help protect against all respiratory viruses, not just the flu.
Tracking The Flu
If you want to track the flu or other respiratory illnesses, hospitals, county health departments and the state have publications that are regularly updated.
Houston Methodist has a respiratory snapshot that you can view. This shows test results for Houston Methodist only.
For a broader view around Harris County, the Houston Health Department issues regular flu reports.
The State of Texas also has a Statewide Snapshot of respiratory illnesses.