Flu cases climb early in Tarrant County
Local doctors report the virus arrived in late September, prompting new recommendations for masks and vaccinations.
By Megan Parker ·
Flu season in Tarrant County began earlier than in recent years. The first patient with the virus walked into the office of Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos around the end of September. This marks a shift from previous seasons where the spike typically arrived later in the fall.
Soria-Olmos, a pediatrician at Cook Children’s in Haslet, said the virus peaked shortly after Halloween and began to decline as Thanksgiving approached. She noted that the timing of the flu fluctuates annually. Dr. Justin Ezell, a family medicine physician at Texas Health Family Care, confirmed he has seen an uptick in patients with flu-like illnesses this month.
Both physicians advise patients to get the flu vaccine. The shot may not prevent everyone from getting sick, but it helps prevent severe disease for those who do catch the virus. They also recommend frequent handwashing. Ezell added that wearing an N95 mask in crowded areas can help prevent infection. He suggested using a surgical mask at home to stop the spread of viruses to family members.
Ezell called the flu a completely and totally preventable disease. He noted that while the very young and the very old are generally at higher risk, underlying health status is a better indicator of vulnerability. People taking immunosuppressant medications for autoimmune conditions are more prone to serious illness. For children, Soria-Olmos identified premature babies and kids with chronic respiratory or heart conditions as the most vulnerable groups.
Even healthy children can become seriously ill or die from the flu, Soria-Olmos said. It is impossible to predict in advance which kids will have bad outcomes. For those who do get the flu, rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms.
Tarrant County residents can track this season’s respiratory illnesses using the dashboard provided by Tarrant County Public Health. The data offers a real-time look at the spread of the virus in the region. Local health officials continue to monitor the situation as the season progresses.
Source: Fort Worth Report
