Flu Season
It’s no secret that flu season correlates with the holiday season as the colder months tend to have an increase in influenza cases. This year, however, influenza hit Texas much earlier than usual. Usually, the typical flu season occurs during the fall and winter months with peak case levels between December and January. As of November 5th, nearly 8% of medical patient visits in Texas were due to influenza-like illnesses, which include the flu and similar respiratory viruses. With cases on the rise, it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones by taking necessary precautions.
What is the Flu?
The Flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches, a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue. Most people with the flu are able to get better on their own, but complications from the flu can be deadly. There are people at higher risk of developing the flu and more likely to have complications, such as:
Children under age 2
Adults older than age 65
People who are pregnant
People with weakened immune systems
People with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes
When to see a doctor
Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often don't need to see a health care provider.
If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your health care provider right away. Taking antiviral medication may shorten the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems.
If you have emergency symptoms of the flu, get medical care right away. For adults, emergency symptoms can include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Chest pain
Ongoing dizziness
Seizures
Worsening of existing medical conditions
Severe weakness or muscle pain
Emergency symptoms in children can include:
Difficulty breathing
Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds — depending on skin color
Chest pain
Dehydration
Severe muscle pain
Seizures
Worsening of existing medical conditions
How to prevent getting the flu
While there isn’t a way to 100% guarantee that you won’t get the flu, there are steps you can take to greatly lower your risk. A flu shot greatly decreases the chances of getting the flu. For those who do still get the flu after the shot, their illness is less likely to be a severe case that could lead to hospitalization or death. Washing your hands frequently will prevent the spread of germs, especially when in public or crowded places. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze will also limit any potential spread.
Ready when you need us
Regardless of what type of medical situation you may be facing, Community First ER is here to help. There’s no need to make an appointment, and you won’t have to wait. Our board-certified physicians and nurses will always be ready to see you. We understand that emergencies aren’t always convenient, which is why we do everything we can to make your experience with us as hassle-free as possible. From the moment you arrive at Community First ER to the moment you leave us our compassionate and knowledgeable staff will take care of you or your family member appropriately. If your condition warrants transportation to a local hospital, we can easily arrange this using our ambulance and helipad services. Our 9,000 square foot facility includes an onsite lab, radiology, and imaging services and is equipped to provide adult, pediatric, and adolescent emergency and critical care. We strive to provide the most effective and most efficient medical care in a stress-free and comfortable environment.
We are here to help
At Community First ER, we are committed to providing you the best possible care now and always. With adult and pediatric emergency care available, we have a team of board-certified medical and surgical specialists we consult to help manage our patients and their medical emergencies. We form relationships with local doctors to ensure that our patients have access to the best specialists for their individual needs. You can call ahead and discuss your symptoms at any time.
We are Community First Emergency Room – committed to putting your community, health, and YOU FIRST, every day.
If you are a loved one experiencing an urgent or emergency medical issue, please contact us right away at 281-343-3134.
About Community First ER
Emergency health care is a critical resource. Our commitment is to provide a personal, transparent, and concierge-driven emergency health care experience to our community members. Locally owned and operated by health care providers and partners we trust, we strive to support and create meaningful relationships with those around us. We exist to put your health and wellness first. For more information, visit our website at https://communityfirster.com/ and engage with us on social media!