Physician on flu season: 'I do think we need to be prepared that this may be a severe year'

A Houston physician is urging the public to prepare itself for the upcoming flu season.

According to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, Dr. Pedro Piedra with the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) said the season has an earlier start than usual and global activity is of much concern, using Australia as a reference point.

“When we look to our colleagues in the southern hemisphere, Australia to be exact, they experienced a much more severe flu season than they had previously,” Piedra told the station. “Often times Australia is a predictor of what we may see in the United States and so with the early season combined with what was observed in Australia, I do think we need to be prepared that this may be a severe year.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that now is the ideal time for people to get the flu shot, KPRC reported.

The report said that adults older than 65, expectant mothers and young children carry the highest risk of contracting the illness.

Per the station, individuals over 65 can get a new vaccine that’s of a higher dose.

“That includes vaccines that have more antigen content or have an adjuvant and so those are really specifically made for older folks,” Piedra said, KPRC reported.

COVID-19 remains a problem as health care professionals prepare for the flu season.

The Harris County Public Health (HCPH) website explained that while they’re both contagious respiratory illnesses, they originate from different sources.

“Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the different between them based on symptoms,” HCPH said. “Testing for either virus may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.”