DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The flu is in Texas – and even if you’ve taken precautions you could still get sick. That’s because this year’s strain of the virus is not covered by this year’s flu shot.

Dr. Jeffrey Shadle of West Plano Medicine says there’s been a spike in influenza cases in the past two weeks. He says his patients are being affected by a new strain of the virus he’s never seen before.

“Viruses mutate or change over time,” says Dr. Shadle. “This year, even with our best guesses we have apparently one strain in North Texas that is not covered in this vaccine.”

The mutant strain is in the Infuenza B family — which typically has less severe symptoms than Influenza A, which means people often don’t know they have the virus.

Doctors suggest that you take as many precautions as possible to keep your immune system strong, such as eating healthy, getting rest, and exercising.

While getting the flu shot may not prevent you from catching the virus, The Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Shadle says it will likely reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

Flu season lasts from late October to May.

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