Flu cases have seen an alarming increase in Bexar County. (Getty Images/Unsplash).
In Bexar County, flu cases are reaching a staggering high. Here’s what you need to know about the latest strain of the flu.
Flu season is hitting Bexar County hard this year. According to the San Antonio Report, around 11% of all emergency room visits in the county logged on December 27 were flu-related cases. Last year, when flu season was at its peak toward the end of January, about 9% of emergency room visits were flu-related. At the time, that was one of the worst flu seasons on record. Now, though, it looks like the 2025-2026 season is shaping up to be even worse.
It isn’t just San Antonio that’s seeing these concerning increases. In the final months of 2025, about 40% of all hospital flu tests administered across Texas were positive. This surge in cases is likely tied to the newest variant of the virus, H3N2, which developed after this year’s vaccine had already been manufactured. Even though that means the newest shot isn’t necessarily the best match for the H3N2 strain, health experts are encouraging people to get their flu shot anyway if they haven’t already—especially since flu cases tend to worsen between January and February.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Jose Coba, who works at Methodist Hospital, explained why this vaccine is still important. “Your immune system will still be primed — it will still be able to recognize it and have some antibodies necessary to decrease the severity,” Dr. Coba said. It’s also important to note that H3N2 isn’t the only strain out there right now—a flu shot can help protect you against other variants and provide general support for your immune system to ensure that even if you do contract the virus, it isn’t as severe as it could be.
Dr. Junda Woo, who’s the Metro Health Medical Director, spoke to the San Antonio Report in December and said, “I’m particularly concerned for children and seniors — When we say it was a bad season last year — we saw 280 influenza-associated pediatric deaths (in the U.S.). That is a lot more than usual, and a lot more than it should be, considering that this is a vaccine preventable disease.”
Bearing this information in mind, it’s best to make an appointment to receive your vaccine as soon as possible. Below, we’ll go over a few other ways you can avoid getting the flu during this particularly brutal season.
How to avoid getting the flu
In addition to receiving your flu vaccine, you can reduce your chances of contracting the flu by generally practicing good hygiene. This includes coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm or into a tissue instead of your hands, staying home when you aren’t feeling well, and frequently washing your hands. Clean surfaces in your home that are touched regularly, and avoid touching your eyes and face when you’re out in public.
The San Antonio city department released a statement outlining these prevention tactics, stating, “These steps help protect individuals, reduce the spread of illness in our community, and lessen the overall strain on our public health and healthcare systems. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms — especially children, older adults, pregnant individuals, or those with underlying health conditions — should seek medical care early to reduce the risk of severe illness and complications.” Wearing a mask when you’re experiencing symptons is also encouraged.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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