TEXAS – As people are looking to spread some holiday cheer, they might also be spreading the flu as the season for sickness has arrived.
- Flu killed 10,000 Texans last year
- One pediatric death so far this year
- Takes 2 weeks for flu shot to kick in
Flu season officially started in October and state health officials said it’s starting to pick up. The illness usually peaks around the holiday season.
However, health officials said flu season doesn't seem to be as bad as last season, which killed nearly 10,000 Texans. So far this year, there has been one reported pediatric death in South Texas due to flu complications.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that historically in Texas the flu peaks in December. Experts stress the importance of getting flu shots as part of Texans’ holiday routine.
"Get a shot now, you know kind of before we get into the holiday stuff, holiday parties and traveling to see family, that really creates the circumstances where the flu can spread: the cold weather, people being indoors, being close together and being around people," said Chris Van Deusen with DSHS.
It takes the flu shot two weeks to kick in. For those who are afraid of needles, the flu mist is back.