In Texas, seven youngsters have died from the flu. In Travis County, the sickness has taken the lives of 5 adults.
AUSTIN, Texas — A “tripledemic” is what medical professionals say we’re seeing proper now. With flu, RSV and COVID-19 nonetheless circulating, docs are urging security to be a prime precedence.
Right now, Travis County is seeing a 15.51% flu positivity rate.
“I’d say it’s one of the worst outbreaks that we’ve seen, not necessarily the worst flu itself. And people are miserable with it, but it’s not the worst,” stated Dr. Diana Fite, the previous president of the Texas Medical Association.
Fite, an emergency doctor, says the introduction of coronavirus has decreased our pure immunities.
“The problem is that everyone was masked for about two years, and so they didn’t get kind of the gradual little immunities to some of the flu and viruses like RSV like they usually do,” stated Dr. Fite.
She notes that flu and RSV are nothing new, however that now the wedding of the three all at as soon as is inflicting a pressure on hospitals.
She says some hospitals in Texas are so full that examinations are even being performed in ready rooms. But, there may be progress being made.
“RSV actually has declined pretty steadily since we saw a peak in mid-October. So that is good news,” stated Chris Van Deusen, the spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Van Deusen says though the three respiratory diseases aren’t unusual round this time of yr.
“We see every year, you know, depending on the flu, cold and flu season, we see hospitals being strained to some degree because of these kinds of illnesses. And I think this year is no different,” stated Van Deusen.
However, to this point in Texas, seven children have died from the flu and proper right here in Travis County, it has taken the lives of 5 adults.
“We recommend everybody who’s at least six months old get a flu shot because that’s your best protection [from] getting very seriously sick,” stated Van Deusen.
With children on break proper now, Austin Public Health’s Medical Director Dr. Desmar Walkes says it is essential the work is finished earlier than children step again into the classroom.
“We’re hopeful that parents will test children prior to getting back into school to make sure that they are not asymptomatic carriers of COVID in particular,” stated Dr. Walkes.
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