People look forward to winter holidays all year. What they don’t eagerly anticipate is the illnesses that come with the cold months. What are some common winter illnesses to watch for?
Flu
The flu knocks a person out quickly and is common during the winter months. As this virus constantly evolves and adapts, medical professionals have yet to find a way to eliminate it completely. Symptoms of this disease include fatigue, aches and pains, fever, chills, and coughing. Side effects of the flu may persist for weeks or months. Individuals find infection prevention education can help them avoid the flu and other conditions that are more prevalent during this season.
Common Cold
The common cold affects a person’s nose, throat, and possibly their ears. The virus spreads when a person comes in contact with infected droplets in the air or touches a surface contaminated with these droplets. Sadly, a person can only treat the symptoms and wait for the virus to make its way out of the body.
Sore Throat
Sore throats remain common during the winter months. Dry, cold air leads to irritation of the throat passages. Run a humidifier as you sleep, and keep the bedroom door closed to reduce the risk of a sore throat.
Pink Eye
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, appears when the whites of a person’s eye come into contact with an irritant, such as a virus or bacteria. This leads to irritation and inflammation. These infections remain very contagious, which explains how they spread so easily during the winter months.
Acute Bronchitis
When bronchi in the lungs become inflamed, they create excess mucus. This condition, known as acute bronchitis, typically occurs when a person has a cold or the flu and the individual coughs constantly. Other symptoms may appear, and these symptoms tend to last for two weeks, although the cough often lingers for months.
Norovirus
Norovirus remains a concern for individuals everywhere, although many people associate it with cruise ships. A person contracts this illness after coming into contact with contaminated food or surfaces. The best way to avoid norovirus is to wash your hands and all surfaces carefully.
Cold Sores
Stress and exhaustion often bring on cold sores. The extreme temperatures seen during the winter months contribute to the development of these sores. Drink lots of water and keep stress under control to reduce the risk of them appearing.
Pneumonia
Many things lead to pneumonia in individuals, including viruses and bacteria. With this disease, air sacs in the lungs fill with liquids. See a doctor to determine the cause and the best course of treatment. Tens of thousands of individuals lose their lives to pneumonia each year, so medical treatment should be sought promptly.
Sinus Infections
Certain individuals remain susceptible to sinus infections which appear more frequently in the winter months. The person might find they have facial pain or pressure, a runny nose, a cough, or other symptoms. If symptoms persist for more than ten days or are very severe, see a doctor. The same holds when you have a fever for more than three days.
Don’t hesitate to see a doctor for any illness during the winter. It’s best to know what you are dealing with, so you can treat it appropriately. These serve as only a few of many conditions a person might develop, so medical help is essential for a correct diagnosis.