In this area of the country, there are cases of murine typhus, which is the type of typhus caused by flea bites. Local ER doctors have already diagnosed several cases this summer.

A mild winter has increased tick-borne illnesses in certain parts of the country. While it's rare in Texas, doctors want to warn people about being mindful when traveling.

San Antonio firefighters are busy this summer -- the number of heat-related calls is higher than it was this time last year. The difference now is fire and EMS have a life-saving tool they didn’t have before.

Younger kids and older adults are more likely to suffer heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Emergency rooms have started to see patients with heat-related illnesses show up at the hospital for medical attention. Doctors warn people who go outdoors to pace themselves.

The reasons for crowded emergency rooms are complicated, but one main issue is called patient boarding. Patient boarding is where admitted patients are held in the emergency department, when there are no inpatient beds available.

San Antonio health care experts anticipate Brittney Griner could undergo an immediate acute medical response.

Health officials are asking people to stop visiting hospitals for testing and avoid adding an additional strain on the state’s health care system.

A Cibolo woman warns about the danger of metal bristle grill brushes after she ingested a small wire stuck on her steak. The wire perforated her colon, and she had to have emergency surgery.

Shahrestani says it’s been a busy week for his office as many victims of falls follow up for care. Last week, the average was about 17 per day, according to Dr. Ralph Riviello, professor and chair of emergency medicine at UT Health San Antonio and University Hospital. Out of 1,870 patients who visited the University Hospital ER between Feb. 13 and Feb. 21, more than 140 were weather-related fall visits. AdBaptist Health System reports 335 falls and slips visits between Feb. 15 and Feb. 19 at all its San Antonio locations and another 87 at Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels. Baptist Health System urges the community to exercise extreme caution when walking outdoors on wet, icy or uneven surfaces, which can prove very dangerous.

KSAT Community will be airing a virtual Mental Health Town Hall Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. to provide resources and answer questions over mental health in these unprecedented times. The panelists include Talli Dolge, CEO and President of Jewish Family Service (JFS), Evita Morin, CEO of Rise Recovery and Professor Ralph Riviello and Chair of Emergency Medicine at University Health and UT Health San Antonio. In this KSAT Community spotlight feature, Jewish Family Service has tips on how to combat anxiety and stress listed below. If you are interested in receiving mental health counseling, Jewish Family Service offers affordable resources. To learn more about Jewish Family Service, click or tap here.

Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). To help the San Antonio community during this difficult time, KSAT Community hosted a virtual mental health town hall on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. with three panelists answering commonly asked questions over mental health. AdStill have more questions about mental health? RELATED: KSAT Explains: Your mental health in 2021 amid COVID pandemicDo you need help with a substance-related issue?

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.

The typical number of heart attack and stroke patients has dropped significantly as people fear going to the hospital while COVID-19 numbers spike and hospital capacity drops. Because they think that theres no room for them or they think theyre going go get COVID. I want to get the message out that the hospital is actually an incredibly safe place to be. Despite COVID, we have capacity for non-COVID patients and delaying can have serious health consequences, said University Hospital Emergency Medicine Chairman Dr. Ralph Riviello. People do need to come to the hospital and we have processes in place to keep people safe.

SAN ANTONIO Over the past week many protesters, looters, and journalists have dealt with injuries sustained from tear gas or rubber bullets. George Floyd funeral services scheduled June 9 in HoustonWhat do I do if I get hit with tear gas? When it comes to tear gas, according to Riviello, you want to immediately wash your skin with soap and water. Theres actually some literature that says milk may help with the skin, but dont put in your eyes.," Riviello said. FBI wants to hear from youWhat do I do if I get hit with a rubber bullet?