If the long, hot summer wasn’t enough of a challenge – flu season is right around the corner. While getting vaccinated should remain a priority, there is now a compounding concern of COVID-19 returning with a recent rise in cases and the identification of a new variant. UTHealth Houston experts provide insight into expectations for this year and recommendations on staying healthy.
“Though no significant flu activity has been seen as of yet, a good measure can be observing the trends in the southern hemisphere,” said Luis Ostrosky, MD, who is professor, division director of infectious diseases, and Memorial Hermann Chair with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “There was a rough flu season during the summer in Australia, which potentially indicates we may see increased cases here in the U.S.”
Ostrosky added that preventive measures such as masking and increased vaccinations were instrumental toward historic reductions in levels of the flu and other respiratory viruses during the first two COVID-19 years in 2020 and 2021.