Each flu season brings changes, and this year, healthcare providers in San Antonio are seeing increased activity from a new flu strain circulating in the community. Flu viruses change annually, but knowing what this means and how to safeguard against them is key to protecting your family’s health.
Understanding the New Flu Strain
Influenza viruses naturally change over time. These changes can lead to a new flu strain becoming more common during a given season. While the strain itself may be new, flu symptoms remain largely the same, including:
- Fever or chills
- Cough or sore throat
- Fatigue and body aches
- Headache
- Runny or congested nose
For most people, symptoms are mild to moderate. However, children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for complications.
Is There a Flu Vaccine for This New Strain?
There is no flu vaccine designed for one single strain. Instead, the annual flu vaccine is formulated to protect against multiple influenza strains that experts expect to circulate throughout the season.
Even when a new flu strain emerges, the flu vaccine:
- Helps reduce the severity of illness
- Lowers the risk of hospitalization
- Decreases the chance of serious complications
In other words, the flu vaccine may not prevent every infection, but it remains one of the most effective tools we have to protect against severe flu outcomes.
Why the Flu Vaccine Is Still Important in San Antonio
In a large, active city like San Antonio, flu viruses can spread quickly—especially during cooler months and holiday gatherings. Getting a flu vaccine helps:
- Protect you and your family
- Reduce the spread of illness in schools and workplaces
- Support vulnerable members of the community
Patients who receive the flu vaccine and still get sick often experience shorter illness duration and milder symptoms compared to those who are unvaccinated.
How to Protect Yourself During Flu Season
Along with getting a flu vaccine, these preventive steps can help reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home when feeling ill
- Seek medical care if symptoms worsen
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require urgent care or emergency treatment, a medical provider can help guide you.
When to Seek Medical Care
You should seek evaluation if flu symptoms:
- Become severe or worsen quickly
- Include trouble breathing or chest pain
- Last longer than several days
- Affect young children, older adults, or those with underlying health conditions
Early care can make a significant difference, especially for high-risk patients.
Stay Prepared This Flu Season
While a new flu strain may raise concerns, staying informed, vaccinated, and proactive can help you stay healthier throughout the season. Even without a strain-specific vaccine, the flu vaccine remains a key defense against serious illness.
If you or a loved one develops flu symptoms and needs medical attention, trusted healthcare providers in San Antonio are available to help, day or night. Give us a call at (210) 530-1040.
