At the unofficial end to the summer many North Texas doctors are looking ahead to flu season, which is expected to start in early October.
Dr. Cedric Spak works in the emergency department at Baylor University Medical Center and remembers last year's flu season.
"It came earlier, and it came during the holiday season. We really weren't expecting it then," Spak said. "The one thing about the flu is that it always surprises us. Like, it's always there but we never know what kind of flu is going to show up."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its new recommendations for the flu season, and among them, it suggests children between the age of 2 and 8 get the nasal spray.
"We acquire influenza through our mucosa, or through the lining of our nose and mouth. If you give the vaccine to the children, the thought is that's more protective for the child, and so the immune response will be right there in the face," Spak said.
The CDC and Spak both agree it is important to get the flu shot.
"Soon as possible, soon as possible. Soon as it's available," Spak said.
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Typically, the shot becomes widely available in early October. While no flu season is the same, doctors say they typically see cases spike in January or February.
