It's a little early, but doctors are already getting indications that this winter might bring a very serious flu season, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"We have begun to see some elevations over the last couple of weeks, the number have ben generally trending up," said Dr. David Gude, Chief Medical Officer of the Texas Med Clinic chain.
He says some clinics have already seen four times the number of positive flu cases they have normally seen by mid October.
"I think a good indicator that flu has starting to raise as a specter, and its time to do something about it."
Gude says it appears that the flu vaccine that is now available covers all of the strains of flu expected to be seen this winter, and there is plenty of flu vaccine available in this area, although he says some shipments were delayed due to Hurricane Harvey.
Dr. Gude says another good indication on the seriousness of the coming flu season is to look to the Southern Hemisphere, which is just ending its winter.
"It has been a particularly rough year for influenza in the Southern Hemiphere," he said. "Based on that, there are indications that it is going to be rough in the Northern Hemisphere."
Dr. Gude says since it takes the flu vaccine a little while to kick in, the sooner you can roll up your sleeves or get a flu mist vaccination, the better.