Rise in flu cases impacting North Texas hospitals
NORTH TEXAS - From Dallas to Fort Worth, hospitals are seeing another wave of flu cases in both adults and young kids. As CBS News Texas has covered some schools having to close from high amounts of flu cases among students.
"Things had settled down maybe a little bit, and now we are seeing things ramp up again," says Dr. Preeti Sharma, a doctor with Children's Health.
Sharma says the hospital has seen a nearly 50% jump in flu cases in one week, which is its biggest increase since 2022.
"I do think that the higher number is really based on the fact that everyone is back together and not utilizing as many precautions to prevent the spread of illness," says Sharma.
Sharma says she believes less people have gotten the flu shot this year, and says symptoms are also slightly more severe in some cases.
"We have seen a lot of kids with a more prolonged cough, higher fevers that last longer, in some instances significant nausea and vomiting," Sharma adds.
Doctors say spikes in the flu can come and go, but the flu season can last all the way through April.
"If you have missed getting a flu vaccine, for this season, it is still not too late, and there is still an opportunity to get one, protect you and your family for the next wave," says Sharma.