The flu season is well underway, and outbreaks have recently forced North Texas schools to close. Although they stress the value of taking preventative action, Houston health experts think the city is unlikely to experience similar disruptions.
The flu season usually peaks in January or February and lasts from October until May. According to local physicians, the influenza A virus continues to be the most common strain in Texas, whereas COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurrences are quite low.
Although there has been a recent increase in flu infections, Houston Methodist Hospital’s medical director of diagnostic microbiology, Dr. S. Wesley Long, stated that Houston-area schools are unlikely to follow suit in closing.He cites a number of reasons for this, such as the disparities in personnel levels and population density between rural and urban locations.
“I wouldn’t worry about shutdowns unless staffing shortages became an issue,” Long stated.
Additionally, he pointed out that flu cases are more likely to spread in arid areas, which may help to explain why outbreaks in Texas’ northern and western regions have been more severe.
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Baylor College of Medicine pulmonary medicine professor Dr. Farrah Kheradmand emphasized the value of flu vaccine, especially for susceptible groups like children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
According to Kheradmand, there is still time to receive the vaccination. Anyone older than six months should still get the flu shot, in my opinion.
To reduce the virus’s transmission, health authorities advise people in the Houston region to practice additional protective behaviors including handwashing and staying at home while ill.
In order to prevent the virus from spreading more easily in crowded waiting rooms, people who are exhibiting flu symptoms can take testing at home.
Children who have the flu should not go to daycare or school until at least 24 hours after their fever goes down without taking medicine, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Due to flu outbreaks, the school districts of Comanche, Godley, and Morgan—all located southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth region—recently closed their campuses. Schools in the Houston region reported no closures because of respiratory infections as of Tuesday.
Houston Methodist compiles a respiratory disease tracker in addition to the Houston Health Department’s regular flu bulletins. A dashboard that tracks respiratory diseases is also available from the state health department.
