Experts with the state health department say they're seeing higher levels of flu activity earlier this year compared the last two years.
In Texas, six children have died already due to complications with the flu. In Dallas County there have been 155 flu-related hospitalizations so far, and two confirmed deaths among adults.
Dr. Gary Clark, with the Trusted ER, said the best thing to do was stay away from someone who might be sick. It’s advice he admitted some might not take as seriously as they should during the holidays.
“This is the time when people want to be together and spend time with their families,” Clark said.
Flu tests have come back positive twice as often as this time last year.
As always, Clark said getting the flu shot is the best way to protect those among us who are most vulnerable.
“It's going to be the extremes of age, children and geriatrics. They're going to have the immune systems that are compromised,” he said.
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Conditions now are such that Clark said if doctors even suspect you have the flu, Tamiflu will be recommended.
Some 4,000 flu tests have returned positive in Dallas County so far.
