Flu Season in Texas

Key Takeaways

• Flu season in Texas generally begins in the fall, peaks in winter, and declines in spring.
• Peak flu activity most often occurs between December and February.
• Flu viruses circulate year-round, but illness and hospitalizations rise during flu season.
• Vaccination, hygiene, and early medical care are key evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.
• Certain groups face a higher risk of serious flu complications.

When Flu Season Starts, Peaks, and Ends in Texas

Flu season is a recurring public health concern in Texas, with patterns that generally follow national influenza trends while showing some state-specific variation.

Based on surveillance data and public health reporting:

• Flu activity typically increases in the fall, most often beginning in October.
• Peak flu activity usually occurs during the winter months, most commonly December through February.
• Flu activity generally declines in early spring, but Texas often sees measurable flu activity continue into April or May.

Influenza viruses circulate year-round, but illness, hospitalizations, and medical visits increase during the traditional flu season. Timing and severity vary from year to year.

Public health agencies monitor flu activity using laboratory testing, emergency department visits, and hospitalization data.

What the Flu Is

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that primarily affect the nose, throat, and lungs.

• Seasonal flu in humans is mainly caused by influenza A and B viruses.
• Influenza viruses change over time, which is why flu patterns and vaccine formulations vary by season.

Each year, scientists monitor which flu viruses are circulating, how well the previous season’s vaccine protected people, and how much cross-protection the vaccine strains provide against other emerging flu viruses. These factors guide the development of the seasonal flu vaccine, aiming to improve protection and reduce the risk of severe illness.

• The flu is different from the common cold and is more likely to cause sudden and severe symptoms.

How the Flu Spreads

High-quality evidence shows that flu spreads mainly through:

• Respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
• Close contact with someone who has influenza
• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes

Flu transmission commonly increases during periods of close indoor contact, such as during winter months and holiday gatherings.

Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms often begin suddenly and may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)

Flu symptoms can overlap with other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV, which is why testing may be recommended in some situations.

Is Fever Always Present with the Flu?

Not everyone with the flu will have a fever. While fever and chills are common flu symptoms, some people—especially older adults or those with certain underlying conditions—may have the flu without running a noticeable temperature. It’s important to watch for other flu symptoms, even if a fever is absent, since the flu can still be present and contagious.

Who Is at Higher Risk for Flu Complications

Certain groups are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications, including:

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Young children
• Pregnant individuals
• People with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes)
• People with weakened immune systems

People living with chronic diseases—like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease—may have a harder time recovering from the flu or face increased risk for more severe illness. Managing chronic conditions through healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular physical activity and balanced nutrition, can help lower the risk of complications.

Complications can include pneumonia, worsening of existing medical conditions, and hospitalization.

Physical Activity and Flu Outcomes

Meeting recommended physical activity guidelines may significantly reduce the risk of dying from the flu. Large-scale research tracking over half a million U.S. adults found that those who achieved both aerobic and muscle-strengthening recommendations experienced notably lower mortality rates from influenza compared to those who did not. Regular physical activity supports overall immune health, making it an important factor in reducing severe outcomes from flu infection—especially for at-risk groups.

Testing and Treatment

Flu Testing

Flu testing may be recommended when:

• Symptoms are severe or worsening
• A person is at higher risk for complications
• Test results would affect treatment decisions

Rapid and laboratory-based flu tests are used in clinical settings.

Treatment

flu treatment includes:

• Supportive care, such as rest, fluids, and fever control
• Antiviral medications, prescribed by a healthcare professional

Antiviral medications are most effective when started early, particularly for people at higher risk of complications.
Antibiotics do not treat influenza, because the flu is caused by a virus.

Flu Prevention

prevention strategies include:

• Annual flu vaccination, which reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization
• Frequent handwashing
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding close contact with sick individuals
• Staying home when ill
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces

Flu vaccines are recommended for individuals based on their specific situation, including age, pregnancy, health, and immune status. Vaccination is the most effective tool to protect yourself and those around you—especially people at higher risk of complications.

Vaccination can still provide benefit even if flu season has already started.

How the Flu Vaccine Works

Flu vaccines help protect against illness by training your immune system to recognize and fight influenza viruses without causing the disease itself.

• Most flu vaccines use inactivated (killed) viruses or pieces of viral proteins. These components cannot cause flu infection but do prompt your immune system to build defenses.
• The nasal spray flu vaccine contains a weakened form of the live virus. It is specially engineered so it cannot cause flu illness in healthy people, while still teaching your immune system how to respond.

When you get vaccinated, your body produces antibodies—protective proteins that fight off the flu virus if you’re exposed later. This is why some people may experience mild side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, or muscle aches. These reactions show your immune system is building protection, not that you are getting the flu.

Flu vaccination can reduce your risk of severe illness and protect vulnerable people around you by limiting the spread of the virus.

Can the Flu Vaccine Cause the Flu?

No, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.

The flu shot is made with either inactivated (killed) viruses or with only a single viral protein—neither of which can cause infection. The nasal spray flu vaccine does use a weakened form of the live virus, but this version is specially engineered so it cannot cause flu illness in healthy individuals.

What you might experience after vaccination is a sore arm, mild aches, or a low-grade fever. These are normal signs your immune system is building protection—not an actual flu infection.

Getting vaccinated each year remains the best way to lower your risk of getting seriously ill from influenza.

Which Flu Virus Strains Are Included in the 2024 Flu Vaccine?

For the 2024 flu season, the U.S. flu vaccine is designed to protect against four main influenza strains:

• Two influenza A viruses: one H1N1 subtype and one H3N2 subtype
• Two influenza B viruses: one from the Yamagata lineage and one from the Victoria lineage

This quadrivalent vaccine approach provides broader protection, reflecting the strains most likely to circulate based on international surveillance data. Getting the current season’s vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of severe flu and its complications.

Possible Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine

After receiving a flu vaccine, some people may experience mild side effects as the immune system responds. These may include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Headache
• Mild fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea

These reactions are generally short-lived and are a normal part of building protection against the flu. Serious side effects are rare, but if you have concerns about vaccine reactions, contact your healthcare provider.

Nutrition Guidelines to Support Flu Prevention

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can play an important role in supporting your immune system and reducing the risk of severe flu complications. Experts generally recommend that adults:

• Include at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables in their daily meals
• Focus on whole, minimally processed foods to maximize vitamins, minerals, and fiber
• Limit intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars, which can impact overall health and immune function

Eating a wide variety of colorful produce—such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, berries, and carrots—provides essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and zinc, all of which support immune defense. Staying hydrated and maintaining a well-balanced diet can help your body recover more effectively if you get sick.

Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults

Regular physical activity can help support a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of complications from illnesses like the flu. For adults, current health guidelines suggest:

• Aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week (such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming). For most people, this means about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
• Including muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. Examples include lifting weights, working with resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats.

Maintaining these activity levels can help improve overall well-being, boost immune function, and lower the risk of chronic conditions that may increase vulnerability to severe flu outcomes.

When to See a Doctor

You should consider contacting a healthcare professional if:

• Symptoms are severe or not improving
• Fever lasts several days
• You are in a higher-risk group
• You are concerned about possible complications

Early medical evaluation may help determine whether testing or antiviral treatment is appropriate.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek emergency medical care right away if flu symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Confusion or inability to stay awake
• Severe dehydration
• Bluish lips or face
• Seizures

These symptoms may indicate serious complications requiring urgent treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

APA References List

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 8). Cold versus flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/coldflu.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 26). Signs and symptoms of flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 30). RSV in infants and young children. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 30). Flu: What to do if you get sick. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 11). People at increased risk for flu complications. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 17). How flu spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spread/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 17). Similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/flu-vs-covid19.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 31). FluView Interactive. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/overview/fluview-interactive.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 15). FluView. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 2). Treatment of flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 3). Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/keyfacts.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 26). Flu season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 26). Preventing seasonal flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevention/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, September 26). Types of influenza viruses. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses-types.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, November 20). Treating flu with antiviral drugs. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/antiviral-drugs.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 8). RSV in adults. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/adults/index.html

Texas Department of State Health Services. (n.d.). Influenza (flu) – Provider information. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/influenza-flu-provider-information

Texas Department of State Health Services. (n.d.). Influenza (flu) surveillance. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/influenza-flu-provider-information/influenza-flu-surveillance

Texas Department of State Health Services. (2024, January 22). Texas launches new respiratory virus dashboard, report. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-launches-new-respiratory-virus-dashboard-report

Texas Department of State Health Services. (n.d.). Texas respiratory virus surveillance report. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/texas-respiratory-virus-surveillance-report

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Influenza (flu): Symptoms and causes. Retrieved December 27, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719