The flu, COVID-19, strep throat, RSV, colds, and other respiratory illnesses tend to become much more prevalent in the colder months. This is because people are spending more time indoors in the dry air, allowing germs to more easily pass from person to person. If you get sick this winter, how will you know what you’re sick with? Keep reading to find out how to test and treat common winter illnesses.
What Are the Most Common Winter Illnesses?
Some of the most common winter illnesses include the common cold, flu, COVID-19, strep throat, and RSV. The common cold is caused by more than 200 viruses, the most common of which are rhinoviruses. It can cause a runny or stuffy nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing, fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, though most people are contagious for about a week.
The flu is caused by the influenza virus infecting your upper respiratory tract. It generally makes you feel terrible with symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat. Most symptoms will end after three to five days, though cough and fatigue can linger for a few weeks.
COVID-19 is caused by a virus and affects your upper respiratory tract. Symptoms can vary, and some people even experience no symptoms. Others may have a sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, fever, or chills. Some people lose their sense of smell or taste, and you could experience body aches or shortness of breath. Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea are also possible symptoms. COVID-19 usually lasts a week or two, though symptoms can linger for weeks or months.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a sore and scratchy throat. Other symptoms may include painful swallowing, red and swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks of pus, tiny red spots on the back of the roof of the mouth, fever, and headache. Strep throat usually lasts three to seven days. However, it can sometimes lead to serious complications such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the lungs and respiratory tract. Symptoms are usually similar to those of the common cold and may include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and low-grade fever. In most cases, RSV lasts one to two weeks. More severe cases can cause wheezing, severe cough, breathing difficulties, high fever, pneumonia, or bronchiolitis.
How to Know Which Illness You Have
Because these common winter illnesses can share a number of symptoms, it can be difficult to determine what you’re sick with. That’s where tests come in. If you are sick and suspect you may have the flu, COVID-19, or strep throat, you can get tested to find out for sure. Flu tests and COVID-19 tests involve inserting a long cotton swab into your nostril. The swab will then be tested to detect if the viruses are present. A strep test involves swabbing the back of your throat. The swab will then be tested to see if strep bacteria are present. These tests are quick and easy, and results are usually known within minutes.
How to Treat Common Winter Illnesses
Most of the common winter illnesses can be treated at home by managing symptoms. You can take over-the-counter medications to relieve nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, body aches, and other symptoms. Make sure you get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and avoid being around other people to minimize the risk of getting others sick. If you have strep throat, you may require antibiotics to kill the strep bacteria that are making you sick. If you have a severe viral infection or are at high risk of complications from a viral infection, antivirals may be prescribed. Whether you’re sick with the common cold, flu, COVID-19, strep, RSV, or another illness, keep an eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if they become severe.
Get Tested at Phipps Pharmacy
Are you sick but not sure what’s causing it? Our Phipps Pharmacy locations in Huntingdon, Jackson, and Waverly, TN, offer flu, strep, and COVID-19 testing. We can help you determine the cause of your illness and our Pharmacy Doctors can prescribe the best treatment option to get you back to feeling your best. Reach out to us today to learn more and get the care you need!
