Flu (Influenza) in Austin

Flu in Austin (Influenza)

Influenza, known as “the flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Most people will have mild illness, but some cases can result in hospitalization or even death.

Flu Trends in Austin-Travis County

ILI stands for influenza-like illness, which is defined as a fever ≥100° F with a cough and/or sore throat.

Austin/Travis County influenza surveillance does not capture all cases of influenza or influenza-like illness. Reporting of seasonal influenza is voluntary. These data should be used for trending purposes over time and for identifying types/strains of influenza that are occurring in the Austin area rather than for estimating the total number of cases.

Flu Symptoms

You may be contagious from one day before and up to seven days after becoming sick. Influenza may present the following symptoms:

Sudden onset
Fever or chills
Cough, sore throat
Runny or congested nose
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Severe fatigue

What To Do If You're Sick

Use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of symptom onset, you may be able to take an anti-viral drug, which will reduce the severity of symptoms and length of the illness.

Seek immediate medical attention if a child has trouble breathing, has bluish skin color, is not waking up or interacting. Seek immediate medical attention if an adult has difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness or confusion, is severely or persistently vomiting, or improves but then gets worse.

CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu and who are at higher risk of serious flu complications.

Flu Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months of age and older receive a flu vaccine annually to reduce the risk of influenza and potentially serious complications. High risk individuals include:

Adults over 65
Pregnant women
People with chronic medical conditions
Health care workers
Individuals who live with and/or care for high-risk individuals

Where to Get Vaccinated

Flu shots are available at Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics for children who are uninsured or Medicaid recipients, and for uninsured adults. Cost of the flu vaccine is $25 for adults, $10 for children, and free for children with Medicaid. For an appointment, please call 512-972-5520.

For those who are insured, visit VaccineFinder.org to find a location with flu vaccine near you.

Download a flyer on flu vaccines in English | español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 (简体).

Additional Flu Prevention

In addition to the flu vaccine, there are certain preventative measures an individual can take to prevent the flu:

Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable
Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue
Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes
Avoid others who are sick
Stay home if you are sick

Austin-Travis County Influenza Surveillance

The official flu season began on Sept. 29, 2024. The information below contains data through Oct. 26, 2024:

Weekly Report

Flu activity in Texas is minimal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that seasonal influenza activity is low nationwide, with the number of hospital admissions also low.
There have been no adult influenza-associated deaths reported in Travis County.
No influenza-associated outbreaks in schools or long-term care facilities have been reported yet this season in Travis County.