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.