{"id":391118,"date":"2025-11-20T01:15:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T01:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/391118\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T01:15:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T01:15:25","slug":"flu-cases-in-houston-are-doubling-every-week-as-cases-rise-across-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/391118\/","title":{"rendered":"Flu cases in Houston are \u2018doubling\u2019 every week as cases rise across Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>HOUSTON<\/strong> \u2013 Houston might still feel like summer, but flu season isn\u2019t waiting for temperatures to fall in line. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cFlu cases have been doubling really since about mid-October,\u201d said Dr. Wesley Long, Medical Director of Microbiology at Houston Methodist. \u201cThe number of positive patients that we\u2019ve seen with flu in any of our clinics in the Houston Methodist system has been doubling about week over week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>R<\/b><b>ELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.click2houston.com\/news\/local\/2025\/11\/20\/how-australia-helps-create-the-us-flu-shot-every-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>How Australia helps create the U.S. flu shot every year<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The surge is evident in the numbers. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Houston Methodist reported an increase from 274 cases on November 5 to more than 500 cases last week. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The predominant strain is influenza A. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThe flu that most of us think of that really starts early in the season is what they call flu A. It\u2019s typically the more severe flu,\u201d Long explained.<\/p>\n<p><b>Understanding Flu Season<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The respiratory virus season, commonly known as flu season, typically runs from October through early spring, potentially lasting into April. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">While medical experts are monitoring the increase in cases, they remain cautious about making predictions about the season\u2019s severity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThat\u2019s something that\u2019s always difficult to predict and is easier to see in hindsight,\u201d Long said when asked about the potential for a severe flu season. \u201cWhat I can say for certain is that we are seeing cases increase right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\"\/><\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The spread is already being felt at the neighborhood level. \u201cA lot of our neighbors it was like flu, flu, flu,\u201d said Kelly Reynolds, a Houston parent of two young children. \u201cYou\u2019re really sensitive to when other kids show up sick because you\u2019re like, no, not us, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><b>More Than Covering Your Cough<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Medical experts emphasize two key strategies to combat the flu\u2019s spread:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 iaOeiN font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Get vaccinated: The flu shot remains the most effective protection against severe outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Stay home when sick: Whether it\u2019s keeping children home from school or adults avoiding work, preventing transmission is crucial.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cWe do have a very safe and effective flu vaccine that\u2019s your best protection against getting severe flu and having severe outcomes from flu,\u201d Long emphasized.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">For those who suspect they have the flu, Long recommends getting tested promptly. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThere are antiviral medications that are effective for flu that won\u2019t be effective for other respiratory viruses,\u201d he explained. \u201cIf you are positive for flu, there are antiviral medicines that can help shorten the course of the illness.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><b>Other Respiratory Illnesses<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">While flu cases are rising, COVID-19 cases remain low in the Houston area. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cCOVID is very low. Flu is increasing quite a bit. So flu is probably the number one concern,\u201d Long noted. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">However, he added that RSV and common cold viruses are also circulating during this respiratory virus season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">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.<\/p>\n<p><b>Tracking The Flu <\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">If you want to track the flu or other respiratory illnesses, hospitals, county health departments and the state have publications that are regularly updated. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Houston Methodist has a <a href=\"https:\/\/flu.houstonmethodist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/flu.houstonmethodist.org\/\">respiratory snapshot<\/a> that you can view. This shows test results for Houston Methodist only. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">For a broader view around Harris County, the Houston Health Department issues regular<a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonhealth.org\/services\/data-reporting\/flu-reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.houstonhealth.org\/services\/data-reporting\/flu-reports\"> flu reports<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The State of Texas also has a Statewide Snapshot of <a href=\"https:\/\/texas-respiratory-illness-dashboard-txdshsea.hub.arcgis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/texas-respiratory-illness-dashboard-txdshsea.hub.arcgis.com\/\">respiratory illnesses<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON \u2013 Houston might still feel like summer, but flu season isn\u2019t waiting for temperatures to fall in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":391119,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5130],"tags":[47180,6386,210,6478,4345,121574,77511,47179,728,358,186065,3187],"class_list":{"0":"post-391118","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston","8":"tag-flu","9":"tag-harris-county","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-hospital","12":"tag-houston","13":"tag-houston-health-department","14":"tag-houston-methodist","15":"tag-influenza","16":"tag-local-news","17":"tag-texas","18":"tag-texas-health-and-human-services","19":"tag-tx"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115579383168078809","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391118\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/391119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=391118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=391118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}