Lillian Wilson lounges in a hammock in the shade at Zilker Park in Austin this summer. It’s been a quiet summer for many illnesses compared with recent years.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
With July’s heat came typical summer viruses in Austin, as well as illnesses caused by heat and vehicle crashes, according to local doctors. August will bring a return of other viruses and bacterial illnesses as students head back to school.
The most common illnesses this summer have been gastrointestinal viruses that have caused vomiting and diarrhea, according to Texas Children’s Hospital’s Austin location. “Stomach bugs like to go around in the summer,” said Dr. Danielle Grant, a Texas Children’s pediatrician in Spicewood.
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These viruses have not been caused by the parasite cyclospora, which has been active in other states and has been tied to lettuce, though experts believe multiple outbreaks are happening now. The Austin area has only seen a normal amount or a slight increase in the number of cases of cyclosporiasis, according to health departments in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and Hays counties.
Doctors also might be seeing more gastrointestinal viruses in their clinics because of the cyclosporiasis outbreak and patients’ concerns that they might have that parasite, said Dr. Anas Daghestani, president and CEO of Austin Regional Clinic.
The COVID-19 summer surge did not happen this year, but some occasional cases that felt more like allergies popped up in late June and early July. Some lingering flu cases also emerged in July.
“There’s always a few cases, but we’re doing more testing than we’ve seen illnesses,” Daghestani said of the more well-known illnesses. It’s been a normal season, he said. “Nothing is spiking.”
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Amethyst Martinez
Kids and adults at play, more injuries
July has been a month for bicycle- and scooter-related injuries, including cuts and bruises, broken bones and abdominal injuries. For people not wearing helmets, that also means head injuries. Electric bikes and scooters have intensified those injuries, said Dr. Jennifer Christensen, a pediatrician with Austin Regional Clinic in Bee Cave.
Swimmer’s ear, an infection that often happens after water gets into the ear canal, has also been common.
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Both Grant and Christensen have seen a lot of impetigo, which is a contagious bacterial infection of the skin. Some of that has been caused by people scratching mosquito bites, creating an opening for the infection to get in.
Doctors also are seeing patients with summer rashes from being in nature or exposed to different materials not in their usual environments.
Jacob Jones, 18, cools off while playing sand volleyball at Zilker Park on a hot afternoon in July. Staying hydrated is important in the heat.
Jay Janner/Weather Prediction Center
High temperatures, more ick
Heat illnesses are also starting to be more prevalent with the temperatures in the upper 90s, and occasionally 100 degrees or more. Babies and toddlers as well as older people, and people with severe medical conditions or are taking medications that increase heat sensitivity should not be outside for long periods of time once the weather hits 85 degrees.
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For everyone, avoid being outside in the heat of the day if possible. Instead, exercise, practice or play outside in the morning or evening.
As kids return to band camp and football, cross-country and soccer practice, doctors expect to see more heat illness cases in local emergency rooms.
Christensen encourages people to look for these signs:
Sweating a lot or not sweating at all
Headache
Lightheadedness
In small children, throwing a tantrum or being irritable
Confusion
Slurred speech
Hot to the touch
Vomiting or nausea
Passing out
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At the beginning stages of heat illness, encourage drinking water or an electrolyte drink and move the person into a shady place or inside. Use cold, wet cloths around the neck and face. Put ice packs in the groin or under the armpits to quickly lower the person’s temperature.
Call 911 if the person is disoriented, vomiting or passes out. Emergency Medical Services can cool off the person quickly with IV fluids and transport them to a hospital for more care.
The Liberty Hill Panthers football team practices in August 2025. With high school football teams and bands back in practice, heat illnesses are a concern.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Back to school, back to other colds
Christensen and Grant expect to begin seeing more non-stomach viruses and infections once the school year begins. Upper respiratory infections and strep will begin to spread. COVID-19 could also see a spike in the first weeks of school starting.
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