SAN ANTONIO – “It's always hard to predict the flu season," said Dr. Jason Bowling, infectious disease expert with UT Health San Antonio.
Because of this, Dr. Bowling is warning everyone that getting your flu shot could be more important this year than last.
“It's important to get vaccinated because they may not have the protection from last year. If they didn't get vaccinated and they didn't have exposure to flu, they may be more susceptible than they had been in years past," Dr. Bowling explained.
He adds what he has seen in the months leading up to flu season could point to what’s on the horizon for Bexar County.
“The fact that we saw these 10 cases in August suggests that we're likely to see more influenza this season," Dr. Bowling said.
It’s a small increase, but still up from last year’s record-low season.
Statewide, the Texas Department of State Health Services also reported an uptick in cases recently. Dr. Bowling expressed concern methods used to stop the spread of COVID-19 may have prevented flu outbreaks too.
"I anticipate that if we start seeing people relaxed with masking and start gathering in groups, again, that we very well, like we see some flu moving forward," Dr. Bowling said.
Dr. Bowling reiterated now is the perfect to get that flu shot and University Health is giving them away.