Flu, RSV cases spike in San Antonio. Here’s how to stay healthy

SAN ANTONIO – The CDC is reporting 16 million cases of flu this season nationwide, and Texas is one of the states with the highest number of cases.

Local numbers from two area hospitals show a high count of respiratory viruses, not just the flu.

Patient flu cases seen at Baptist Health System in winter 2023-2024.

December 2023 – 3.11% of cases of the flu reported
January 2024 – 5.25% of cases of the flu reported
- An increase of 17.36%
December 2024 – 3.65 % of cases of the flu reported
January 2025 – 8.12% of cases of the flu reported
- An increase of 54.67%

Patient flu cases seen at Baptist Health System in winter 2024-2025.

December 2024 – 3.65 % of cases of the flu reported
January 2025 – 8.12% of cases of the flu reported
An increase of 54.67%

UT Health San Antonio and University Health System flu data and other respiratory visits. (UT Health/University Health)

Doctor Jason Bowling, University Health Director of Epidemiology and assistant professor of infectious disease at UT Health San Antonio, said those at the highest risk — like pregnant women, older adults and young children — should see a doctor as soon as the symptoms begin.

“There can be benefits to getting treatment early if you’re at high risk,” he said.

Bowling said those who are sick should:

Stay home if they are sick until they no longer have a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.
Return to work but try to stay isolated if they can because they might still be able to transmit the virus to others for a little while longer.
Eating well and drinking plenty of water is beneficial to helping their body recover faster.

The flu could also be affecting student attendance at area schools. We asked a few districts to share the number of absences at their area schools for January this year and 2024.

These absences may or may not be directly linked to illnesses. Here’s a look at the percentage of the overall student body that was in school last month.

NORTH EAST ISD: