Texans Must Be Alert As Flu Cases Surge In The Lone Star State

Flu cases are rising quickly in the Lone Star State.

Now that the Christmas holiday is over, friends and family are back home and our routine is returning to normal. We're now back at work and staying indoors because of the colder weather. All that time indoors means we're spreading more germs and viruses unintentionally.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flu activity in Texas is reaching 'high' to 'very high' levels. CDC figures indicate that the spread of the flu jumped from moderate to high levels right before Christmas and is now close to very high as we begin the new year.

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This year's flu season is peaking later than in the previous couple of years. The CDC says the flu is at some of the highest levels in the Western states. The good news is, if you've already received your flu vaccine, it appears to be working on the current dominant strain of flu, according to Dr. Culpepper's interview with NBCDFW.

Ways to prevent the flu and transmission of the virus:

• receive the flu vaccine
• wash your hands with soap and water often
• cough into a tissue or your sleeve
• stay at home when you're sick
• clean common area surfaces often
• avoid touching your face

Symptoms of the flu include:

• fever or chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• headache
• fatigue
• vomiting or diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• loss of appetite
• sneezing

While flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. It can be treated with rest, fluids, and sometimes antiviral medication.

If you're feeling sick, the best thing to do is stay home and rest. Stop the spread.

It's also not too late to stop by your doctor's office or the pharmacy to get a flu shot.