HOUSTON – Texas is reporting high to very high levels of flu activity, and the Gulf Coast region continues to see steady cases well beyond the typical winter peak.
State data shows pediatric flu-related visits are sharply higher than in recent years, mirroring national trends that indicate roughly a 90% jump in flu visits among children compared to the previous two seasons.
Emergency rooms and hospitals across the Houston area remain busy treating flu patients of all ages, and doctors say the pattern they’re seeing is classic for a heavy season: influenza A dominated early on, and now influenza B is driving what appears to be a second wave.
‘Moderate to severe’ flu season after a record year
Dr. Flor Muñoz, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Baylor College of Medicine and a board member for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, says this year’s flu season is serious, especially coming on the heels of what she calls one of the worst in recent memory.
Dr. Muñoz said the current flu season isn’t necessarily worse than last year, but it’s still on the high end of the scale.
“I think what is concerning is that every year since the pandemic, we continue to have increasing severity of influenza seasons and more and more cases occurring,” she said.
Dr. Muñoz adds that declining vaccination rates may be contributing to the rise in serious cases.
“Along with that, we do see a decreasing coverage of the vaccine. So fewer people are getting their flu vaccine,” she said. “Maybe that has some relationship to the fact that we’re seeing more people getting infected and more severe disease.”
Houston often gets hit early – and for longer
Houston’s size and connectivity mean respiratory viruses like the flu often arrive and peak earlier here than in other parts of the country.
“Houston is a big city, and Texas is a big state,” Dr. Muñoz said. “One thing that we do observe here is that we tend to see these respiratory viruses and flu start and peak earlier than in the rest of the country. So we had started to see flu since November, December.”
Typically, a flu season might last around 11 or 12 weeks, but this year, Dr. Muñoz says the activity is stretching longer, potentially into late spring.
“It’s not unheard of that we have flu going all the way into May, especially when we have two waves, with influenza B following influenza A.”
That extended season matters for Houstonians heading to large gatherings like Rodeo Houston and spring break trips, where close contact can fuel more spread.
It’s not too late for a flu shot
Even this late in the season, Dr. Muñoz is clear: getting a flu shot can still make a meaningful difference.
“The reason we recommend flu vaccination even this late in the season is because there could be a second wave or there could be a different strain that comes along that you would need some protection for,” she said.
Vaccination doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu but it can reduce how sick you get and help keep people out of the hospital.
There has been concern this year about how well the flu vaccine matches circulating strains, especially with the emergence of a new H3N2 variant late last year. Dr. Muñoz says while the vaccine doesn’t include that specific variant, there is evidence it still offers meaningful protection.
“We might not have a good match this year. That could be a reason why we’re seeing more disease,” she said. “But certainly, the goal is to protect against the complications and the severe cases of flu.”
Simple steps to lower your risk
Beyond vaccination, Dr. Muñoz says familiar precautions still matter:
Stay home and mask if you’re sick.
If you’re sick yourself, use a mask because it does protect other people around you
Wash your hands often
Flu viruses spread easily when people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their nose or mouth.
Protect high‑risk groups
Young children, older adults, and people with underlying conditions like asthma, heart disease or diabetes face higher risks for complications.
With flu still circulating in Houston and big events on the calendar, health experts say the message is simple: the season isn’t over, and there’s still time to protect yourself and your family.
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