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Is it COVID, flu, RSV or something else? How experts are treating respiratory viruses


SBG San Antonio
SBG San Antonio
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Respiratory viruses are here with a vengeance and many of you have said this is the first time in years you've been sick with something other than COVID.

It's something Terry Rodriguez knows all too well.

“It just seemed like, every year, I've never caught the flu. But this year, it got me,” Rodriguez said.

She tells us she’s currently fighting Type A flu and it’s something she hasn't had in years.

“Everybody's got to pay attention,” Rodriguez said.

We've heard about the rise in flu and RSV cases. So, how are we looking as we close in on two weeks since Thanksgiving?

“It's as serious as it was two years ago in COVID. We have a lot of freestanding emergency rooms, which are providing a lot of care to our patients,” Dr. Mehmood Kahn with Inpatient Progressive Healthcare of America said.

He adds the virus you've caught in 2022 could range from flu, RSV, COVID or something else altogether.

“Most common viruses are called the cold virus. It's a collection of multiple viruses. We're very thankful to the hospital system that they are working very diligently to find where to find staffing to find the nurses who can take care of those patients,” Dr. Kahn said.

Metro Health said our local COVID levels are currently low but have recently seen a small increase.

They also gave us the following statement:

Bexar County risk level is still low. We have seen small increases as has been the case across the country. The important note is that this is also the time of year when healthcare systems get strained addressing other respiratory illnesses like flu. We urge the public to make sure they're up to date with their COVID and flu vaccines, take routine precautions like washing their hands and staying home when sick, and remember to seek medical attention if their symptoms worsen or persist as there are medications available.

Dr. Stephen Ramirez said those viruses also include flu.

“According to the CDC, hospitalization rates for the flu haven't been as high this early in the season since again, the 2009 swine flu pandemic. The CDC has placed Texas in the second highest level of their very high flu activity category. This is a spike because three weeks ago there were no states in the very high category,” Dr. Ramirez said.

The rise is something Emergency Medicine Doctor for University Heath and Clinical Professor for UT San Antonio Jessica Solis-McCarthy has seen firsthand.

“We have been getting increased volume of patients coming to the Emergency department. What we're seeing now is a combination of viruses, flu and COVID together. Now with COVID being down, now we're getting a combination of RSV and flu together,” Dr. Solis-McCarthy said.

She also adds the good news is that they have prepared and dealt with years with high case levels so they are prepared to assist you.

Every doctor we spoke with said they are advising everyone to be as up to date on their vaccines as possible. They also add that practicing good hygiene etiquette will help to protect you this holiday season.

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