El Paso doctors warn of triple threat this flu season

EL PASO, Texas -- With Influenza season in full force, doctors are preparing for a possible severe flu season.

Local El Paso doctors are warning of the flu, COVID and RSV. Unlike the past two years, the three viruses are in full force this year.

Dr. Armando Meza, an infectious disease specialist at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, told ABC-7 in previous years the COVID-19 virus was dominating. This year the situation is different.

He said presently COVID is less dangerous than previous years. Other viruses are dominating this year. As a result, less people are in the hospital with COVID.

Dr. Meza said all three viruses have the same symptoms including coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and fatigue.

He recommends those eligible to get available treatments for COVID and the flu.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned the country of a possible harsh flu season. This comes after a dip in cases over the last few years.

In the United States, flu activity starts to increase in the month of October and typically peaks between December and February.

ABC-7 reached out to local hospitals.

An official at University Medical Center said in the month of October 1 person has been hospitalized with the flu. That person has since been released.

Hospital officials said there is typically a huge spike in flu patients between January and February.

Additionally, there are 5 patients in the hospital positive with COVID.

As for the El Paso Children's Hospital, officials told ABC-7 there was a 300% increase in RSV cases since August.

Doctors recommend avoiding close contact, covering your mouth and nose, washing your hands and getting the necessary vaccines.