As the cooler weather envelops Central Texas, an uptick in colds and respiratory illnesses raises concerns about the unfolding flu season and its comparison to last year's occurrences.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates December to February as the peak flu season, typically seeing heightened flu activity, with February often marking the apex. In the previous flu season, Texas experienced its peak in early December, as per data gathered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
During the 2022-23 season, Texas encountered its highest positivity rate, soaring to 24.5% in early December, calculated by the percentage of positive flu tests against the total tests conducted. As the 2023-24 flu season commenced on October 1st, a recent DSHS report dated December 8th revealed over 4,700 positive flu cases, yielding a seasonal positivity rate of 6.59% to date.
At Austin's Tarrytown Pharmacy, President and Chief Pharmacy Officer Rannon Ching has witnessed a surge in individuals seeking remedies for various colds, allergies, and respiratory ailments. Moreover, testing requests for respiratory syncytial virus, flu, COVID-19, and strep have notably increased.
Since the rollout of updated flu shots in September, Ching has noted a consistent interest from customers in getting vaccinated. Although appointment volumes have slightly diminished, a steady stream of individuals continues to arrive ahead of year-end holiday gatherings.
Ching speculates that this year's flu season activity has escalated since the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing this rise to increased interaction among people, paralleling pre-pandemic levels of respiratory illnesses. Nonetheless, he lauds the cautious approach taken by many in the Austin area, where mask-wearing remains prevalent.
With an anticipated nine million Texans planning to travel in December, Ching advises travelers to maintain best practices for safety, including frequent handwashing, testing, and mask usage during travel to mitigate potential illness transmission.
"Considering ways to prevent spreading sickness or illness to others is crucial," Ching emphasized, suggesting that mindfulness about these precautions will ensure a healthier environment.
As Central Texas grapples with rising cases amid the winter season, adherence to preventive measures remains pivotal in curbing the spread of colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses during this period.
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