Flu cases are on the rise in Taylor County, but vaccination and good hygiene can help you beat it – Abilene, TX

Influenza cases are on the rise in Taylor County, with an especially large spike seen in local figures after the Thanksgiving holiday.

As of Dec. 2, the number of positive cases of Influenza A and B in Taylor County was 166, with 79 cases of the A strain and 87 cases of Influenza B, said Summer Mitchell, the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health Districts epidemiologist.

Those figures are out of 2,751 tests, meaning about 6% of the flu-like illness patients that we're seeing are actually flu positive, Mitchell said.

Regular hand washing and a flu shot are still the best ways to protect oneself against the illness, she said.

It's not too late to get a flu vaccine, Mitchell said. That's one of the best things you can do to prevent getting the flu.

About Flu

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza is a potentially serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death for some, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those who are immunocompromised.

Each flu season is different, but vaccination has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing risk of serious illness and potentially reducing the amount of time someone is sick if they do get the flu.

About Flu Shots

Vaccines are available through the Health District, Mitchell said. Chain or local pharmacies and physicians offices are other options.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after you receive a shot, according to the CDC.

Seasonal vaccines are formulated to protect against the flu viruses research indicates will be the most common during an individual season.

Flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent, meaning they protect against four different strains of flu virus, two strains of Influenza A and two strains of Influenza B, the CDC said.

Personal responsibility

Mitchell said other ways to help stop the spread of flu include staying away from those who are ill and regular, thorough hand washing.

People who feel ill should avoid large gatherings to avoid spreading flu or other illnesses a message especially relevant to seasonal gatherings, Mitchell said.

You might get a lot of people sick, she said.

Those who suspect they have the flu should be tested to confirm the diagnosis, she said.

Other concerns

In addition to the flu, the Health District has seen a small uptick in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, an illness that infects lungs and breathing passages.

Thats kind of consistent through the past few years in the kiddoes, Mitchell said.

Precautions and care are similar to the flu, including practicing good hygiene and keeping children at home if ill.

By the numbers

Local figures show a fairly steady bump in the number of positive cases, starting mid-September. A significant spike in cases happened around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mitchell said as of Nov. 25, 2023, there were 1,048 confirmed cases of flu statewide, with the Influenza A strain of the virus responsible for about 54% of cases.

Local surveillance of the flu virus will continue through April, she said. Not every medical facility reports to the health department, so the reported figures do not represent a complete snapshot of the countys flu cases.

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Flu cases are on the rise in Taylor County, but vaccination and good hygiene can help you beat it - Abilene, TX