Experts say we aren’t expecting a tripledemic of flu, RSV and COVID.
SAN ANTONIO — Flu rates are very high nationwide, according to the CDC.
But how are things looking here in Texas? We go into the numbers to see how badly the state is sniffling right now.
The good news is we aren’t expecting a tripledemic of flu, RSV and COVID, as COVID rates are only now starting to climb rapidly. But the percent of positive flu tests in Bexar County are up almost 70% over last week.
Dr. Matt Chalmers, a healthy living expert told us, “One of the things that we always say about cold and flu season, and it’s always interesting how it coincides with no sleep, high stress, high alcohol and high sugar times.”
When we take a look at a chart showing the rates of respiratory illnesses within University Health, it’s clear they’ve seen the highest rates this year out of the past four years, and it looks like we’ve reached the peak already.
Or have we?
“Usually it peaks in February. It’s probably the most common peak. Sometimes December. Sometimes March. So it very well may just be the beginning of flu season, but we won’t know until February, March,” Dr. Michael Rokyta, an emergency medicine physician with Christus Santa Rosa said.
The National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention says you can try to prevent the flu by making sure to get your flu shot. It’s also important to understand how the flu is spread and the symptoms of the flu such as body aches, muscle aches, headaches, feeling tired, a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, nausea and vomiting. They also urge people to keep their hands and surfaces clean. And finally, they say to stay home when you are sick.
“It’s important when you’re feeling those symptoms, you’re sick, you’re short of breath, you don’t feel well, to get checked out by either your physician or coming into the E.R.,” Dr. Rokyta said.
Doctors also say if you haven’t received a vaccination, it isn’t too late to get one for any of the illnesses going around, and you can get more than one at the same time.