We’re in the middle of the winter season which also means being in the middle of cold and flu season. These seasonal illnesses peak around this time of year, every year. Luckily, knowing what illnesses to expect makes them much easier to overcome!
Seasonal Illnesses
The two most common seasonal illnesses are:
- Cold – the common cold is very contagious, but typically not serious. Symptoms of the common cold include nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and coughing. Not everybody displays all of these symptoms while some others may present symptoms not listed. The common cold can be treated using over the counter remedies and typically resolves in 5-7 days.
- Flu – the flu is the second type of seasonal illness, but it’s more serious than the common cold. The flu comes along with all of the same symptoms as a cold, but you may also feel muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, and a low grade fever.
Prevention
There are some steps you can take to prevent these seasonal illnesses. First, remember to wash your hands regularly throughout the day. Each handwashing session should last at least 20 seconds to ensure your hands are actually clean. If you don’t have access to a sink, carrying hand sanitizer to use throughout the day is an easy alternative. Handwashing helps protect against the cold and the flu, but it isn’t enough on its own.
To lower your risk of catching the flu even more, get your flu shot each year. Anybody over the age of 6 months old is eligible to receive a flu shot. This vaccine is over 80% effective at reducing your risk of the flu and has little to no side effects. Even though the cold and flu season is already here, it’s not too late to get vaccinated! Visit your local urgent care or walk-in clinic to get your flu shot today.
Treatment
Some seasonal illnesses can be treated at home using over the counter remedies, but others may require professional treatment. If you notice your condition worsening, a high fever, or signs of dehydration, visit your local urgent care center right away. The expert staff at an urgent care center will help diagnose you and offer treatment options that are right for you. No appointment is needed and most insurance is accepted, so why continue suffering when urgent care could help?