Louisiana Flu Surge Has Shreveport Doctors on Alert

Flu season is ramping up fast, and if it feels like everyone you know is coughing, aching, or running fever, you are not imagining it.

Dr. Joseph Bocchini Jr. with Willis-Knighton Pediatric Infectious Disease told KEEL News on Monday that influenza activity is climbing sharply across the U.S., with Louisiana sitting among the highest activity levels right now.

CDC’s latest FluView update also shows national flu activity rising heading into the holiday travel stretch, which is exactly when families pack into living rooms, churches, and airports and share more than just leftovers.

Why Louisiana Can Get Hit Early

During the interview, Dr. Bocchini talked about how timing and travel can stack the deck against us, especially when big gatherings happen as respiratory viruses are spreading. He pointed to how “the wrong time” factor mattered during COVID, and how heavy travel hubs can amplify spread.

Louisiana’s own weekly influenza surveillance reports track the same story line locally, with activity climbing as the season develops.

How to Tell Flu From a Regular Cold

Dr. Bocchini described a classic flu start as sudden fever and body aches that hit hard, with temperatures that can run much higher than what most people expect from a routine cold. He advised people not to wait it out if symptoms are convincing, because testing and treatment work best when started early.

READ MORE: Why Louisiana Shoppers Should Avoid Return Counters This Week

What Shreveporters Can Do Right Now to Protect Themselves

Here are the big takeaways he emphasized for families in Shreveport-Bossier and across the state:

• Get the flu shot if you have not yet. He said it is still worth getting, even late, because it can reduce severity even if it does not fully prevent infection.
• Call your doctor quickly if symptoms hit. Antiviral meds can shorten illness and lower the risk of serious complications when started early.
• High-risk groups should be extra cautious. Older adults and people with chronic conditions may want to avoid crowded settings when community spread is high.

One moment that made listeners chuckle, Dr. Bocchini also reassured folks that accidentally getting more than one flu shot in a season is not going to make anybody “glow.”