North Texas doctors are reporting sharp increases in flu and RSV cases days before Christmas, with a new aggressive flu variant complicating this year’s respiratory illness season.
The surge continues to threaten holiday gatherings as families travel and celebrate together, prompting health officials to urge precautionary measures.
“Be prepared. Flu season is here,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Health and pediatrics professor at UT Southwestern, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
The new flu variant has mutated beyond this year’s vaccine formulation, though the shot still provides protection.
“It’s one of the viruses that’s present in the vaccine, although this virus has mutated such that the immunity induced by the vaccine may not be as effective as it would have been if these mutations didn’t exist,” Kahn explained, per Fox 4.
With immunity taking 10-14 days to develop, time is running short for unvaccinated individuals.
“We’re gonna see a lot of flu in January and February and March, and sometimes even into April. So, I would certainly recommend getting the flu vaccine,” Kahn said.
Early antiviral treatment offers hope for those who catch the flu despite precautions. Rapid testing now enables quick diagnosis and treatment.
“We actually have antivirals for flu. And the earlier you can get them into your body, the more effective they’re going to be,” Kahn said.
He recommends seeking immediate care for sudden fevers, body aches, chills, and cough.
RSV cases are following typical seasonal patterns at Children’s Health. While healthy adults and children face minimal hospitalization risk, the virus poses serious threats to infants, older people, and immunocompromised individuals.
“Fortunately, COVID numbers remain quite low,” Kahn noted. Parents should watch for breathing difficulties in children and seek emergency care for chest pain or respiratory distress.
Holiday travel will accelerate the spread of the virus across regions.
“These viruses are gonna hitchhike onto people and planes and trains. And they’re gonna move around the country,” Kahn warned, according to Fox 4.
Prevention remains straightforward but crucial.
“Wash your hands. You know, these alcohol-based hand sanitizers that we got very used to during COVID. Those are very, very effective in eliminating or at least neutralizing some of the viruses that are circulating. But nothing beats hand washing,” Kahn said.
The simplest advice may prove most important: if you’re sick, stay home. Even mild cold symptoms warrant avoiding vulnerable relatives during holiday gatherings.
