UT HEALTH SAN ANTONIO

If you have seasonal allergies, you know that they have not been kind lately in the San Antonio area. But, how do you know when it’s allergies or another illness?

Doctors are expected to diagnose 55,000 people with oral cancer in the U.S. this year, with 10,000 predicted to die from it, according to the experts at UT Health San Antonio.

December 2021 was a big month for the emergency approval of COVID-19 drugs deemed successful in trials. However, experts say not enough people know about some of those drugs, and they're going unused.

The long waitlists at the two San Antonio long COVID clinics show how many people are actually experiencing it. Even those who had mild COVID symptoms could end up with strong lingering effects.

First Lady Jill Biden toured the Mays Cancer Center and talked with experts about health disparities in the Latino community related to cancer.

The next generation of physicians promises to have a greater representation of African Americans, according to Chiquita Collins, chief diversity officer for the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio.

Many counties in South Texas desperately need dentists, specifically dentists who represent the patients they serve.

A CDC report shows kids 18 years old and younger with COVID-19 are more likely to develop diabetes.

A San Antonio doctor who invented a device he claims relieves most people of their hiccups is partnering with Texas billionaire Mark Cuban to mass produce the invention.

The availability of COVID therapies like remdesivir, monoclonal antibodies, and oral antivirals are running low. Local doctors are calling for more availability.

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the San Antonio area, the estimated date of when the city may actually reach its peak keeps getting pushed back.

UT Health San Antonio’s applications have more than doubled, from 258 applications in Spring 2020 to 596 in Fall 2021. UIW is seeing so many applications, and they’ve begun enrolling more students.

Doctors weigh in on the different COVID-19 tests and their ability to detect all variants.

Cases of Omicron are outpacing previous variants of concern like Delta across Texas.

Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease specialist with UT Health San Antonio, joined the KSAT Q&A on Thursday to discuss new developments about the omicron variant and to answer questions concerning the virus.

Metro Health Director Claude Jacob said local officials had been expecting to see the omicron variant in Bexar County, and now it's here.

Health officials are urging vaccinations and boosters.

By: Julian Trejo On Sept 22, 2021, the Alamo Colleges held a press conference to announce their partnership with UT Health San Antonio to provide healthcare for Alamo students. This new program, Wellness 360, will give students over the age of 18 the opportunity to receive care over the phone through TeleHelp services, as well…

Testicular cancer is most common in younger men, ages 15-30 years old. In more complicated cases where the disease has spread, the only option used to be a serious open surgery, but a robot is now changing that, getting these young patients back on their feet faster.

Opinion: Eileen Breslin, dean of UT Health's nursing school, says she's optimistic about the future of health care despite the shortage.

Doctors at the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are identifying COVID variants by genome testing.

A San Antonio trauma surgeon that has saved lives on battlefields abroad and in San Antonio operating rooms has created a new and improved surgical tool.

A novel coronavirus pandemic, remote learning, and social unrest in 2021 is creating a high suicide rate that is being considered a national emergency. Now, free mental health help is a click away, tailored for teenagers who are still stinging from the series of blows they were dealt.

Autopsies of COVID-19 patients have shown physical evidence of direct damage to the pancreas, specifically the beta cell that produces insulin.

Healthcare worker shortages and lack of resources were already issues for rural communities before the pandemic and when it hit, those barriers were exacerbated. That's why national funding has created a virtual program aimed to help those providers.

Right now is a great time to get your flu shot, Dr. Leverence with UT Health San Antonio said.

UT Health San Antonio pediatricians are seeing the type of complications of COVID-19 that normally would put older patients at risk, develop in teens.

Alamo Colleges District has opened two new on-campus health clinics in partnership with UT Health San Antonio’s School of Nursing to offer low-cost physical and mental health services to students, officials announced Wednesday.

Thousands of adolescents in San Antonio have already received the COVID-19 vaccine and there’s a big push to get more teens vaccinated.

You may want to get that flu shot earlier than expected.

As students head back into the classroom, some parents are battling stress and anxiety.

The health system is overwhelmed, nurses are exhausted, and the pandemic is adding to a growing nurse shortage.

Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease expert with UT Health San Antonio, says local hospitals are full amid an influx of COVID-19 patients.

Hospitals are seeing an increase in COVID-19 patients across the country and throughout Bexar County due to the Delta variant.

Proton therapy is an advanced cancer radiation technique that better targets tumors, without harming the tissue around them. The facilities are expensive and complex but within two years, South Texas will have one at a brand new UT Health San Antonio facility.

San Antonio-area cancer patients will soon have access to an advanced form of treatment that offers an alternative to X-ray radiation therapy.

A UT Health San Antonio research team says it’s found the connection between the high-fat Western diet and chronic pain. It’s a groundbreaking study that is 10 years in the making, and it could affect many illnesses and even impact the opioid epidemic.

Opioid overdoses are on the rise, but the Texas Narcan program is one of the largest and...

Dr. Ruth Berggren, of the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, joins KSAT Q&A to discuss the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines against other variants.

Dr. Ruth Berggren, of the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, joins KSAT Q&A to discuss teens receiving their COVID-19 vaccine and when you should still keep your mask handy despite new CDC guidelines.

UT Health San Antonio Dr. Amelia Ramirez joins the KSAT Q&A to discuss a new Latino cancer survivorship study.

UT Health San Antonio is expanding its offering of the COVID-19 vaccine in Bexar County.

Researchers at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio are studying what challenges Latino cancer survivors are facing with their diagnosis.

Masking, distancing and travel guidelines have kept flu numbers low to non-existent globally, which leaves little data for researchers trying to predict which strains will be most infections next season.

Labor and delivery looks a whole lot different during the coronavirus pandemic, and KSAT viewers have sent in a lot of questions about protocols and recommendations that seem to be ever-changing.

SAN ANTONIO – This month, KSAT Community is shining a spotlight on local nonprofit SA Cancer Council in its mission to provide support for cancer patients. SA Cancer Council is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with a mission to support the Mays Cancer Center. Since its founding 37 years ago, SA Cancer Council has donated more than $5.6 million to support its mission. “With a $25 donation, viewers can help provide important support services for patients in cancer treatment,” said Libby Ross, Patient and Family Services Co-Chair with SA Cancer Council. “The Cancer Council provides transportation to and from the Cancer Center for Patients Cancer Treatments, Valley Services.

SAN ANTONIO – For a couple of weeks, KSAT has asked viewers for their questions about being pregnant during this pandemic. Abigail Vega Keller is 16 weeks pregnant with her first child and feels grateful for many things, including the first trimester without morning sickness. Many KSAT viewers have those same questions about hospital protocols for visitors during delivery. Ramsey said the major San Antonio hospital systems stay in touch and have mainly the same protocols. If you have any questions for our panel of experts, you can still submit them now below:

SAN ANTONIO – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio broke ground Monday on a new $430 million multi-speciality and research hospital. According to UT Health officials, the hospital will be used for “research and treatment of cancer and other complex diseases that disproportionately impact the people of South Texas. Dr. William L. Henrich, president of UT Health San Antonio, welcomed academic, civic and community leaders from The University of Texas System, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. UT Health officials said once completed, the center will deliver the most advanced precision-based care and the latest targeted therapies possible. Also on KSAT:Q&A: Medical director for University Health gives insight on COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancyUniversity Health establishes COVID-19 vaccine registry for seniors 80 and olderAdMetro Health to make 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments available Thursday

That’s the word of warning from a pediatric oncology specialist at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Chatchawin Assanasen, distinguished chair at the UT Health Long School of Medicine in Pediatric Oncology, said in this fearful Covid-19 world, a lifesaving cancer screening may be long overdue. “Ultimately, we’re seeing a lot of later presentations, meaning that they’re growing to the point where they’re fairly obvious. AdIt found that if doctors are armed with the information on the genetic mutations of their pediatric cancer patients, they can use that information to accurately choose targeted therapies they know will be effective. RELATED: From COVID-19 to cancer, San Antonio family faced with many struggles receives unexpected gift

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and local health professionals updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Thursday night. Nirenberg reported 197,497 total COVID-19 cases and 2,678 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 242 new cases as of Thursday. The mayor said more than 265,000 people have gotten their first COVID-19 vaccine dose from the city site. AdDr. Ruth Berggren, with UT Health San Antonio, said the Bexar County Hospital District administered 6,072 vaccines, the largest distribution day to date. She said UT Health San Antonio has administered 65,000 vaccines as of Friday.

SAN ANTONIO – While each of us was living in our own deep freeze drama during the snowstorms of February, the pediatric staff at UT Health San Antonio were fighting their own battle against the forces of nature. With the power out, bitterly cold houses and no water, the pediatric team for the most medically complex pediatric population began to worry. All of the equipment requires electricity,” said Dr. Wisdeen Wu, assistant professor of pediatrics at UT Health San Antonio. AdShe also takes her hat off to her patients’ families, who she says were very resourceful under stress. ALSO ON KSAT.COM: Nurtured with faith, a community garden in San Antonio springs back from the devastating winter storm

As the snow melts and people venture out, a local doctor reminds San Antonio residents that COVID-19 is still out there, and social distancing measures still apply. READ ALSO: San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is back on after weather-related postponements"It's a little tricky on how this weather will affect COVID in the community," Bowling said. On Thursday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff resumed their meetings to update the community on the coronavirus and the weather. "Most of the snow is going to melt, and we will have somewhat of some normalcy from a weather standpoint," Bowling said. "But, COVID is still out there, so it's important people don't forget to do the same basic measures that everyone is tired of doing, but that are still effective and important," Bowling said.

SAN ANTONIO – The average percentage of pregnant women in South Texas with gestational diabetes is almost three times the national average. Around the country, 7% of pregnant women are typically diagnosed with gestational diabetes. “I’ve certainly seen the reports of gestational diabetes are going up. RELATED: How to manage diabetes during the pandemicAdGestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. “We do know that women who have gestational diabetes may be at increased risk for hospitalization,” he said.

SAN ANTONIO – We are a year into the coronavirus pandemic and nearly two months into the release of COVID-19 vaccines that have been issued to all 50 states. Because the vaccines use a technology called messenger RNA, or mRNA, there’s confusion and misinformation about what the vaccine does after it’s injected into your arm. Posts claiming that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility in women and sterilization in men appear to be targeting those who are pregnant, looking to conceive, or planning a family in the future. It will not turn into COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Jason Bowling, lead hospital epidemiologist at University Health System. An unfounded social media theory gained traction online claiming that there are microchips and tracking devices in the COVID-19 vaccine.

SAN ANTONIO – UT Health San Antonio researchers are trying to determine if COVID-19 will have long-term effects on older adults’ brains. San Antonio resident Robert Renteria is participating in the study. Renteria said his father, a veteran of the San Antonio Fire Department, had Alzheimer’s disease. And in a few studies, when they have been imaged, they have actual changes in their brain,” Seshadri said. Researchers in more than 30 countries are involved in the study in which UT Health San Antonio is participating.

SAN ANTONIO – Like so many other internet claims on the COVID-19 vaccine, the claim that the injection will alter your DNA has been widely shared and discussed on social media. Two medical experts, Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer at University Health System, and Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, have said this claim is NOT TRUE . “The mRNA does not enter the nucleus of our cells. The mRNA does not change a person’s DNA through this process. Some San Antonio teachers, school employees to get COVID-19 vaccine this week through University Health

In this photo released by Nucleus Network/ABC, clinical trial participants are given a coronavirus vaccine in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, May 26, 2020, with hopes of releasing a proven vaccine this year. (Patrick Rocca/Nucleus Network/ABC via AP)SAN ANTONIO – UT Health San Antonio and University Health are looking to recruit 500 volunteers to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial that will start this month. UT Health officials said the vaccine called NVX-CoV2373, is a protein engineered from the genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Taylor, MD, MS, is an associate professor of infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio and sees patients through University Health. Taylor served as chair of the local COVID-19 Health Transition Team last spring and currently serves as co-chair of the COVID-19 Community Response Coalition, UT Health officials said.

"Our possible spike is fully dependent on how individuals behave," said Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious disease specialist with the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. In a tweet last week, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg warned of an uptick in cases, but the risk level for the city remains at moderate. On Sunday, San Antonio Metro Health announced 191 new cases. San Antonio began to see a surge after Gov. Berggren said San Antonio should take pride in the fact that the community has kept the city's positivity rate at around a moderate 6.9 percent.

Hyundai Hope On Wheels delivered a $500,000 check to UT Health San Antonio to continue its research into better treatment options and improving care for children battling cancer. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.