A local pharmacist says medical professionals are anticipating a more severe flu season this year compared to previous years.
This is the first year since COVID began that the flu will be a factor, as pandemic restrictions brought down transmission of the flu to almost non-existent levels over the last couple of years.
Dr. Kara O’Keefe, Pharmacist in Charge at Family Drug Mart, says they are anticipating more severe symptoms in those who contract the flu.
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Those most likely to have severe symptoms, she explains, are young children, people over the age of 65, and those with other risk factors such as underlying medical conditions.
Some people have suggested that not being exposed as much to the flu over the last few years has made people more susceptible to getting it, however, O’Keefe says that is not always the case and a lot of factors play into whether someone’s body can fight off a disease.
She says that yes, previous exposure can help, but other outside factors, such as viruses evolving, are things outside the body’s control.
