Urgent care clinics and emergency rooms are busy taking care of patients dealing with upper respiratory illnesses during the peak of cold and flu season.

Low vaccination rates and an increase in respiratory diseases could strain health care system, CDC says

The flu season is underway and the flu vaccine could help you from getting really sick with the virus.

Individual registration is required for the free flu shot events

While COVID is still out there, it's the viruses that have long been circulating that sent so many kids to the hospital this cold and flu season. Things like RSV and the flu. So what made this year so unusual?

Last year, health experts warned parents about the potential for a twindemic – cases of COVID and the flu rising during the winter. Now, the threat of a tripledemic remains, which is three viruses circulating, that can make kids seriously sick.

A Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard, updated Monday afternoon, shows just 42 available, staffed pediatric ICU beds across the state. In San Antonio’s region, which covers nearly 2.9 million people and stretches to the Mexican border, there were only nine available.

For the past few years, the flu was held in check but it’s making a comeback, according to a pediatrician with the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

Why are so many children sick right now? Dr. Mandie Tibball Svatek, University Health pediatric hospitalist and UT Health SA associate professor answers some of parents' most asked questions.

Why are so many children sick right now? Dr. Mandie Tibball Svatek, University Health pediatric hospitalist and UT Health SA associate professor answers some of parents' most asked questions.

Across the country, hospitals are filling up with children fighting respiratory illnesses.

San Antonio is seeing a high number of flu cases months earlier than usual, according to doctors at University Health System.

Flu season this year is unlike any we’ve seen before.

We’ve usually moved on from the flu in late April and are more focused on pollen allergies and other circulating viruses. However, this year is different.

It’s the time of year for sneezing, coughing, and blowing your nose. But what actually works when it comes to easing symptoms of the common cold?

Right now is a great time to get your flu shot, Dr. Leverence with UT Health San Antonio said.

Experts are concerned flu could crush healthcare systems that are already straining to keep up with the demands of COVID-19.

San Antonio and Bexar County residents have an opportunity to get the flu shot for free starting this weekend.

University Health and Bexar County are partnering to make flu shots free and as convenient as possible this year by hosting four drive-thru flu shot events over the next two months.

Masking, distancing and travel guidelines have kept flu numbers low to non-existent globally, which leaves little data for researchers trying to predict which strains will be most infections next season.

SAN ANTONIO – Usually, during this time of year, we are reporting many flu cases, but this year, like all of 2020, is different. Some factors for lower numbers than usual are people wearing face masks, social distancing, staying home when sick, and traveling less. But despite lower numbers, Espinoza does confirm there are cases in Bexar County and that the flu should still be taken seriously. “We still encourage individuals to take precautions.”Metro Health advises that people should stay diligent about taking precautions and should get their flu shot. Related:Don’t skip your flu shot during the pandemic

Here are some key highlights of how the Spanish flu ultimately ended, and how it might correlate to the COVID-19 pandemic. History says the Spanish flu lasted from February 1918 until April 1920, but there wasn’t a definitive statement that the pandemic was over, according to Time. Of course, by then, the Spanish flu did unspeakable damage, infecting 500 million people and killing 50 million. With technology and research being nowhere close to what it is now, there was no waiting around for a vaccine to help quell the Spanish flu. That might have been the case with the Spanish flu, as people’s tolerance to the disease and willingness to social distance, wash hands and wear masks throughout increased.

So, how can you protect your kids? “It’s not only to protect ourselves, it’s to protect the people around us that we care about,” continued Dr. Alexander. Dr. Alexander suggests getting a flu shot at the first opportunity possible. Kids can start getting a flu shot at six months. Remind your kids to be aware of what they touch, and to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.

Governor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Department of State Health Services will provide 2.8 million doses of the flu vaccine for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program and the new Adult Influenza Vaccine Initiative, according to a press release. “The flu vaccine is an effective way to prevent the spread of influenza, and expanding access to this vaccine is especially important this year so that our health care systems can focus on treating COVID-19 patients,” said Abbott. “The Texas Vaccines For Children Program and the Adult Influenza Vaccine Initiative will provide these effective, voluntary vaccines to Texans across the state and help us protect the health and safety of our communities. For adults, one million flu vaccines will be distributed to residents who are at high risk of COVID-19 through the new program, Adult Influenza Vaccine Initiative. RELATED: Doctors say to get flu shot to help avoid a ‘twindemic’

It’s important to keep your immune system healthy all the time, but especially when you’re feeling a little under the weather. Experts with Healthline say these drinks are full of nutrients that may help boost your immune system. The Vitamin C can strengthen your immune system, and can help fight off infection. Next, try mixing beet, carrot, ginger and apple together. Not only can this drink help boost your immune system, it may also decrease inflammatory symptoms.

Now, there is a virtual reality program that shows you what could happen if you skip the flu vaccine. Now, researchers have developed a virtual reality experience to show people the serious and sometimes deadly consequences of not getting the flu vaccine. For Carter, who use to get the flu vaccine every year before he entered college, the virtual reality experience made a difference. “Kind of reminded me why I get the flu vaccine in the first place,” said Carter. Misinformation about the flu vaccine and COVID has been circling the internet.

SAN ANTONIO San Antonio medical professionals are gearing up and changing protocols as the start of flu season nears. Dr. Ralph Riviello, chair of emergency medicine at University Hospital and UT Health San Antonio, says the flu season was moderate in 2019-2020, but he and other doctors are expecting the season to be busier than normal this year. It wasnt the worst I had experienced, but we saw a fair number of patients per day in our emergency department with flu-like symptoms, Riviello said. Medical experts across the country and locally are also looking at the flu results from the Southern Hemisphere, where the flu season is in full swing. Ive read reports out of Australia where theyre undergoing their flu season now, and that was mild compared to other years, Riviello said.

SAN ANTONIO This week, Mayor Ron Nirenberg took to social media to remind San Antonians to be safe this holiday weekend fearing it could render another spike in coronavirus cases. Identify your Labor Day social bubbleThis is not the time to start expanding your social bubble, Dr. Berggren said the holiday weekend is a crucial time to keep your circle tight, socializing with only immediate family members or a few others who are similarly cautious. However, Dr. Berggren said as part of the citys coronavirus task force, schools should be flexible. With over 100 vaccines in development, Dr. Berggren says while that may happen, we wont know how effective it will be for quite some time. But Dr. Berggren says only about half of Americans get immunized.

It might have crossed your mind already: What might the fall look like when flu season hits, and were still dealing with COVID-19? Because of that, experts say, it will be more important than ever to get a flu vaccine. Experts say this could change as more is learned about the number of people who are infected who have mild illnesses. Is it possible that a flu vaccine could protect me against COVID-19? While the CDC is adamant that getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it still encourages everyone 6 months of age and older to get one yearly.

Coronavirus and flu symptoms tend to be more systemic. Coronavirus and flu symptoms can put you out of commission. Coronavirus and acute flu symptoms could get worse over time. If you have a nasty case of the flu or coronavirus, you may get worse when you expect to get better. Early symptoms of allergies, cold, flu and coronavirus could be similar.

FLORESVILLE, Texas – Jesse Christopher “Chris” Flores died from acute promyelocytic leukemia on Jan. 21, nine days after getting misdiagnosed with the flu, according to his widow, Joyce Flores. “When he went to the doctor they did not swab him for the flu. They said, ‘Based on your symptoms and how long you’ve had it, you probably have the flu,’” said Joyce. Chris’s first wife, Debbie, died around 10 years ago after contracting the swine flu. Jan. 21, the day Chris died, would have been his 25th wedding anniversary with his first wife.

SAN ANTONIO – Three pediatric flu-related deaths have been reported in Bexar County for the 2019-2020 season, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District officials said Tuesday. Due to medical confidentiality and privacy reasons, the victims are not being identified. Metro Health officials want residents to know that it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine, which they consider the best prevention against the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for people six months and older. How to tell the differenceMetropolitan Health officials recommend a three-step approach to protecting yourself and others from the flu:

It may help health officials stop the flu from spreading, too. This marks the first time heart rate trackers and sleep data have been used to predict the flu or any infectious disease in real time, according to the study authors. Privacy, consumer groups seek to block Google-Fitbit dealIf a user's weekly average resting heart rate was above their average and their weekly average sleep was not below their average, they were identified as abnormal. The researchers were able to see improvement in real-time surveillance and influenza predictions at the state level. "We demonstrate the potential for metrics from wearable devices to enhance flu surveillance and consequently improve public health responses.

KERR COUNTY, Texas – A Kerr County corrections officer died Sunday following complications from the flu, Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said. Stephen Walters, 43, was admitted to a San Antonio hospital in mid-December when complications set in, Hierholzer said. “He was an excellent corrections officer.”Hierholzer wasn’t sure if Walters had received the flu shot, but he encouraged all Kerr County Sheriff’s Office employees to get one. "God bless you Stephen Walters and what you and your family gave to the citizens of Kerr County,” Hierholzer said. What you need to know about the upcoming flu season in South Texas