Cypress Doctor Warns of Severe 2025 Flu Season: What You Need to Know
As flu season descends on the Greater Houston area, Cypress residents are seeing a surge in cases that are putting extra strain on hospitals and families alike. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2025–2026 flu season is already shaping up to be one of the most severe in recent years. Hospitalization rates have notably increased, especially among older adults and children.
Dr. Krystal Lopez, a board-certified family medicine physician practicing at Houston Methodist in Towne Lake, is on the frontlines helping local families navigate the season safely. With a patient-first approach grounded in education and inclusivity, Dr. Lopez emphasizes the importance of early action, awareness, and community protection.
“This year's flu season has been more severe, with hospitalization rates surpassing previous season rates at almost three times higher,” said Dr. Lopez. “The majority of these hospitalizations have been seen in adults 75 years or older, but severe disease has been seen in all age groups”.
The CDC confirms that annual flu vaccines remain one of the most effective tools for preventing severe illness, especially as immunity to the virus naturally declines over time and new strains emerge each year. In response to this, the 2025 flu vaccine has been updated and reformulated.
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Dr. Lopez noted that this year’s vaccine is trivalent, meaning it protects against three major strains of the flu virus—a shift from the quadrivalent versions used in past years. She also emphasized that all patients over six months of age should get vaccinated unless they have a medical reason not to.
“The more consistent we are at getting vaccinated yearly, the higher the effectiveness of the vaccine,” Dr. Lopez said. “There is no clear evidence that inactivated vaccines cause influenza”.
For those wondering whether healthy individuals can skip the flu shot, especially if they are not considered high-risk, Dr. Lopez has a clear message: don’t.
“Young, healthy patients getting vaccinated helps protect vulnerable populations whom they may come in contact with, and even healthy individuals can experience severe symptoms due to the flu,” she said.
Dr. Krystal Lopez, a board-certified family medicine physician practicingBeyond vaccination, Dr. Lopez encourages families to take other preventive measures to reduce the risk of spreading the flu. These include proper hand hygiene, disinfecting surfaces, and masking up around high-risk or symptomatic individuals.
It's also important to understand the overlap between flu, COVID-19, and RSV, which can make diagnosing at home difficult. Dr. Lopez explained that while each illness may present with subtle differences—such as wheezing with RSV or loss of taste with COVID—testing remains the most accurate way to know for sure.
With cases already rising across Texas and the U.S., Dr. Lopez urges early action. “Early antiviral treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset or exposure should be initiated,” she said. “This also includes possible exposure prophylaxis for high-risk populations who may have a contraindication to get vaccinated”.
Houston Methodist and Dr. Lopez encourage Cypress families to book flu shot appointments and speak with their healthcare providers about the most appropriate vaccine for their needs. Flu vaccines are widely available at clinics, urgent care centers, and pharmacies throughout the area, including at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, where Dr. Lopez is affiliated.
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To stay informed about local flu activity and prevention strategies, residents can visit flu.houstonmethodist.org or consult the CDC's FluView tracker.
As the holidays approach and families gather, a few proactive steps—like getting vaccinated—can help ensure a healthier, safer season for everyone in the Cypress community.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
