What’s Going Around? See where Flu, COVID, and RSV are now around the Houston area

Now that the holidays are over and kids are back to school, the flu is still spreading.

Don’t panic! It’s actually settling into a normal pattern after a volatile few years during and since the pandemic.

Houston

The official count with the City of Houston shows the weekly flu count is down from last week and has been trending down for the last month but you’re not exactly in the clear because there’s still a lot of flu going around.

Specifically Strain A, according to Dr. Aida Khanum with Pediatric Pod Concierge Pediatrics, is spreading in the Bellaire area.

The good news is, Khanum said RSV has been going down and she’s not seeing much of that among her young patients.

However, the wastewater tells a bit of a different story.

The RSV diagnosis count is down but RSV in the wastewater is up. That likely means people are sick with it but just not seeing a doctor about it.

Galveston County

According to the Galveston County Health District, COVID is highest in League City, more than other cities within the southern county.

Symptoms

Both Flu and COVID are common respiratory viruses right now and can easily spread.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, body aches, cough, headaches, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue.

In mild cases, both viruses can be treated at home with plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking pain relievers to help with headaches, body aches, and fevers.

For young kids between one and six years old who can’t take a lot of over-the-counter cold medicines, Dr. Khanum suggests honey.

Honey has natural immune-boosting properties and local bees carry pollen that can improve allergies.

Allergies can irritate your sinuses and put you at risk of more infections.