Overcoming The Most Common Illnesses This Fall

As we head into cold and flu season, it’s important to know the symptoms of common (and some less common) fall illnesses so you can get the care you need as quickly as possible. Join Nice clinician, Kelsey Merck, in this webinar to learn what symptoms to look for–and how to get your health back on track. 

Sore Throat Infections and Remedies

Common Cold (Viral Pharyngitis)

Symptoms include:

  • Irritated or red eyes

  • Cough

  • Hoarse voice

  • Sore throat

  • Runny nose

  • Congestion

Diagnosis:

  • Chest X-ray to rule out other infections

  • Physical exam

Treatment:

Unfortunately, there aren’t any medical treatments to cure a common cold. But some things that can ease symptoms are:

  • Tylenol or Ibuprofen

  • Lots of water, soft diet, popsicles, tea, honey

  • Rest

  • Salt water gargles

  • Theraflu

  • Chloraseptic throat spray

Strep Throat (Bacterial Infection)

How Common is Strep Throat?

Strep is less common than viral infections, causing 2-30% of sore throats in children and 5-15% of sore throats in adults. If untreated, strep infections can lead to pneumatic fever, which can ultimately lead to heart damage. Getting antibiotic treatment is important to reduce the risk of these complications.

Strep symptoms are more severe than the common cold. They include:

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Fever

  • Body aches

  • Vomiting 

Diagnosis:

  • Strep test

  • Physical exam

  • With Nice’s home visits, you can get a strep test in the comfort of your home and get results in 15 minutes.

Treatment: 

  • Headaches

  • Body aches

  • Fever

  • Rash

  • Swollen liver or spleen (or both)

  • Fatigue

  • Sore throat

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Enlarged tonsils with exudate (white sticky substance in mouth) 

  • Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis: 

  • Rapid mono testing

  • Blood work 

  • These tests can be done at home by your Nice healthcare provider

Treatment:

  • Rest

  • Fluids

  • Tylenol or Ibuprofen

  • Nausea medication, such as Zofran, or ginger or peppermint tea

  • Avoiding contact sports to avoid abdominal trauma, due to enlarged spleen or liver

Peritonsillar Abscess 

Peritonsillar abscesses are deeper bacterial infections in the neck and throat.  They have a higher occurrence in adults aged 20-40 years. 

Symptoms are typically more severe than a common cold or strep. They include: 

  • Fever

  • Difficulty swallowing and opening jaw

  • Muffled voice

Diagnosis:

  • Physical exam

  • CAT scan of the neck and head

Treatment: 

  • Antibiotics

  • Tylenol

  • Sometimes steroid pills

Common Causes of Ear Pain

Classic Ear Infection (Acute Otitis Media)

Ear infections typically follow a cold or viral illness. They account for 30 million pediatric visits per year and are most common in children under 2 years old.

 Symptoms include:

  • Tugging at the ear

  • Fatigue

  • White discharge from the eyes

  • Fever

  • Irritability

  • Resistance to eating and drinking

Diagnosis: 

  • Physical exam of head, ears, nose, throat

Treatment: 

  • Antibiotics

  • Tylenol (better for relieving fever) or Ibuprofen (may reduce pain for longer)

  • Watch and wait. 

    • Often, this takes a few days but ear infections will often resolve on their own.

    • Fever is one of the ways the body heals itself. So if your child is up and about and talking with you, you may choose to wait and see how they do without medication.

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa)

Symptoms: 

  • Ear pain

  • Drainage

  • Change in hearing

  • Inflammation of the ear canal

Diagnosis:

  • Physical exam

Treatment: 

  • Ear drops

  • Topical steroids

  • Keeping the head and ear canal dry for one to two weeks to prevent bacterial growth

Fluid in the Inner Ear (Serous Otitis Media)

Fluid in the inner ear is typically caused by environmental allergies, viruses, or inflammation of the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. 

Symptoms: 

  • Swishing sound in ear

  • Ear pain

  • Ears feeling “plugged,” as though they need to be popped 

Diagnosis:

  • Physical exam

Treatment:

  • Topical allergy medications, such as Flonase

  • Allergy medications, such as Zyrtec or Benadryl

  • Saline nasal spray as tolerated

  • Decongestants, such as Sudafed, Claritin D, or Coricidin (don’t use if you have hypertension, diabetes, or heart problems)

Ear Wax Buildup (Cerumen Impaction)

Symptoms: 

  • Decreased hearing

  • Drainage

  • Ear pain

  • Ringing in the ears

Treatment: 

  • Lavage, or flushing. Nice offers this service in-home.

  • Debrox drops if there is a lot of wax. A few drops one to two times a week softens ear wax so it doesn’t get pushed down

  • Avoid Q-tips, which push wax further back into the ear canal

Common Full-Body Fall Illnesses

The Flu (Influenza)

On average, 8% of the U.S. population contracts the flu each year. But this number only represents those who were tested, so the actual number may be higher. The virus is spread by droplets in the air from coughing, sneezing, talking loudly, or sharing food or drink.

Most healthy adults are contagious 5-7 days from symptom onset, and many people don’t know they’re infected for the first few days.

Symptoms: 

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle pain or body aches

  • Headache

  • Fever, feeling feverish, or having chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

Diagnosis: 

  • Physical exam

  • Flu testing

  • Ruling out other diagnoses

Treatment:

  • Nausea meds

  • Fluids

  • Rest

  • Antivirals, such as Tamiflu, if started early enough after symptoms start

COVID-19

Symptoms:

  • Sore throat

  • Others that vary, including fever, nausea, and diarrhea 

  • May have long-term complications

  • Shortness of breath

  • Loss of taste and/or smell

  • Fatigue

  • Congestion

Diagnosis: 

  • Rapid antigen testing 

  • PCR testing

Treatment: 

COVID vaccinations are available for ages 6 months and older. An antiviral therapy, Paxlovid, was approved for emergency use in 2021 for those of age 12 and older. Paxlovid is only for those who are 88 lbs or more, who have mild to moderate COVID symptoms, and whose medical history indicates a high risk of severe health consequences.

Nice doesn’t currently offer COVID testing or Paxlovid, but we can help you navigate your treatment. If you think you may have COVID, get tested as soon as possible, and we’ll help you determine what treatment is right for you.

Monkeypox

There have been 22,774 confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the U.S. this year. Most cases are currently in California (4,300 confirmed) but the virus is spreading across the country. Monkeypox is spread through contact with the blistering rash that develops and, possibly through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms: 

  • Rash, which has flat pink-red spots that turn to painful blisters with a white substance inside

  • Lesions on the face arms and legs, or even genitals

  • Fever during the first few days

  • Blisters eventually scab over and heal like chicken pox

  • Swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis: 

  • Exposure history

  • Physical exam

  • PCR test

Treatment:

  • Isolation (needed for 4 weeks while the rash is present)

  • Tylenol

  • Smallpox vaccination

  • Rest

  • Isolation 

Lung Infections 

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by a virus, bacteria, or even fungus. It involves inflammation in the small air sacs in the lungs, which can lead to fluid build-up and reduced oxygen. Pneumonia can cause serious health consequences. 

In 2018, 1.5 million people were diagnosed with pneumonia in just one emergency room. 

Symptoms: 

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Chest pain

  • Coughing

  • Confusion

  • Body aches

Diagnosis: 

  • Ruling out COVID and other infections, such as with a flu test

  • Chest X-Ray

  • Physical exam

  • Blood work

Treatment: 

  • Lots of fluids

  • Rest

  • Antibiotics when appropriate

  • Tylenol

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the small windpipes that carry air to the lungs. It’s usually caused by a virus and occurs after a head cold or respiratory tract infection.

Symptoms:

  • Fatigue

  • Mild headache

  • Mild body aches

  • Watery eyes

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing

  • Cough

  • Rib pain from coughing 

  • Vomiting from coughing

Diagnosis:

  • Physical exam

  • Chest X-Ray

  • Tests to rule out Flu and COVID 

Treatment: 

  • Steroid pills to reduce inflammation

  • Honey

  • Cough suppressant

  • Inhaler

  • Humidifier

Asthma and Asthma Attacks

Asthma is a lung disease that causes inflammation of the windpipes. It can be triggered by allergens, fragrances, or recent viral illnesses.

Symptoms:

  • Wheezing

  • Rapid breathing and heart rate

  • Shortness of breath

  • Difficult breathing

  • Cough

Diagnosis: 

  • Physical exam

Treatment: 

  • Nebulizer treatment

  • Avoiding exposure to known triggers

  • Steroid pills

  • Rescue inhaler

Asthma can be very serious. Despite inhalers that reduce their severity, people still die from asthma attacks each year. If you have asthma, make sure to reduce your exposure to allergens and triggers.

How to Avoid Getting Sick

Healthy habits can help you avoid getting sick this season. These include:

  • Eating a balanced diet

  • Taking vitamins - Nice clinician, Jill Gauger, recommends:

    • General immune health:

      • 500mg -1000mg of vitamin C daily

      • 2,000 IU of D3 daily

      •  30mg of Zinc daily

    • If you get sick:

      • You can consider increasing to 2000mg of vitamin C daily

      • Start taking echinacea 300mg three times a day

  • Washing hands often

  • Wearing a mask when appropriate

  • Keeping key places in the home clean (such as door knobs, surfaces, and other high-touch areas)

Nice Healthcare Can Help You Avoid Fall Illnesses

Using this information can help you boost your immune system and stay on top of any symptoms this fall and winter. And if you do get sick, reach out to us before going to the emergency room or urgent care. We can treat you in the convenience of your home and help you feel better, fast.

With virtual and in-home visits for all the illnesses mentioned here–plus yearly physicals, surgery check-ups, sports physicals, blood pressure management, and more–Nice can help you stay healthy all year long.

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