by Houston, Texas – Houston may still be experiencing summer-like weather, but flu activity is rising at a pace far faster than usual, according to local medical experts.
Health officials report that influenza cases in the Houston area are doubling every week, driven primarily by influenza A, the strain known to cause more severe illness and earlier spikes.
Dr. Wesley Long, Medical Director of Microbiology at Houston Methodist, said the trend began several weeks ago and continues to accelerate without signs of slowing.
“Flu cases have been doubling really since about mid-October,” Long said. “The number of positive patients that we’ve seen in any of our clinics in the Houston Methodist system has been doubling week over week.”
Houston Methodist documented 274 cases on November 5, rising to more than 500 cases last week—an increase that underscores how quickly the virus is spreading.
Understanding the Surge: Why Flu A Is Leading the Increase
Medical staff confirm that influenza A is the predominant strain detected in recent weeks. Often arriving first during flu season and causing more severe symptoms, this strain presents unique challenges for both families and healthcare systems.
“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.
Flu season typically begins in October and can last until early spring, sometimes stretching into April. However, the intensity of this year’s early rise has prompted heightened monitoring by local health officials and hospitals across Texas.
Long cautioned that predicting the severity of the entire season is difficult this early.
“That’s something that’s always difficult to predict and is easier to see in hindsight. What I can say for certain is that we are seeing cases increase right now.”
Flu Spread Felt Across Neighborhoods
Families throughout Houston are already noticing widespread illness among children and adults.
Kelly Reynolds, a local parent of two young children, said the spike has been impossible to miss.
“A lot of our neighbors, it was like flu, flu, flu,” Reynolds shared. “You’re really sensitive to when other kids show up sick because you’re like, no, not us, too.”
This community-level spread reinforces physicians’ concerns about how quickly the virus is circulating ahead of the holiday season—when travel, gatherings and school schedules often increase transmission.
Prevention: What Health Experts Recommend
Doctors stress that two preventive strategies remain essential in limiting the flu’s impact:
- Get vaccinated
- Stay home when sick
Long noted that while no vaccine can prevent all infections, the flu shot significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications.
“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,” he said.
For those who believe they may have the flu, early testing is key.
“There are antiviral medications that are effective for flu that won’t work for other respiratory viruses,” Long explained. Prompt diagnosis helps determine whether a patient qualifies for antiviral treatment, which may shorten the duration of the illness.
Other Respiratory Viruses in Circulation
Despite the rapid rise in flu patients, COVID-19 levels remain low in Houston. Long described flu as “the number one concern” at the moment, though RSV and common cold viruses are also circulating.
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Doctors emphasize the importance of continued hygiene measures—hand washing, covering coughs, and staying home when symptomatic—to reduce the spread of all respiratory illnesses.
Tracking Flu Trends Across Texas
Residents wanting to monitor respiratory illness activity can rely on regularly updated public health sources. Local hospitals, county health departments, and state health agencies publish weekly reports detailing case numbers and circulating viruses.
Houston Methodist offers a Respiratory Snapshot, which provides updated testing results from across the hospital system. Local updates from Harris County Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health Services also give a broader statewide picture.
Stay Informed and Join the Conversation
As flu cases continue rising across Houston and the wider Texas region, staying informed can help protect families and communities. For more discussions on current issues, health topics, and stories shaping local life, visit mikeandjonpodcast.com.
