Fall is a season of transition — the leaves change color, the weather shifts from warm to cooler, and the calendar goes from summer to a new school year. Depending on how you feel about them, these changes may or may not be welcome. Though one change that practically no one welcomes is a change… The post The Most Common Fall Illnesses appeared first on .
Fall is a season of transition — the leaves change color, the weather shifts from warm to cooler, and the calendar goes from summer to a new school year. Depending on how you feel about them, these changes may or may not be welcome. Though one change that practically no one welcomes is a change in health brought on by a fall illness. The end of summer also introduces cold and flu season, but these are not the only illnesses that can strike when cooler weather emerges. Here are some of the most common fall illnesses and how you can protect yourself from them — or at least find a little relief while you wait for them to run their course.
The Common Cold
The common cold may be common, but familiarity breeds contempt. The runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing and general achiness that are all the hallmarks of the common cold make it one of the most annoying parts about the onset of fall and winter. Dealing with a cold means getting ample rest, drinking lots of fluids and making sure you get plenty of Vitamin C for your immune system. If the symptoms become too much of a hassle, there’s no shortage of over-the-counter medicines that can give you some measure of relief, but otherwise there’s nothing to be done than to let the cold run its course.
Influenza
The flu spreads the same way as the cold, as a respiratory virus. However, it’s easy to know the difference between the two. The flu exhibits the same sneezing, coughing and other symptoms as the common cold; but also brings with it a high fever, stomach problems, extreme fatigue and aches. Just like the cold, once you have the flu, your only option is getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated and using over-the-counter medications to control your fever and other symptoms.
Seasonal Allergies
Pollen and mold are practically everywhere in autumn, and that means fall allergies can be worse than allergies any other time of year. Allergies can lead to sniffling, sneezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. Medications can provide some relief in many cases. Yet for some people, the attacks are so severe that they need to travel to warmer, drier climates to avoid the worst of it.
What You Can Do
Preventing any type of illness means taking care of yourself and being cautious. Because so many of these illnesses are spread through the air or by coming in contact with people who are contagious, here are some basic tips to help you avoid the most common types of fall illnesses:
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Wash your hands. Washing your hands regularly throughout the day can lower the risk of being infected with viruses that you can pick up from doorknobs or by touching other people.
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Cover your mouth. Preventing the spread of colds or flus can be as simple as covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Using a tissue or the crook of your elbow rather than covering your face with your bare hands also helps stop the spread of germs.
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Don’t share personal items. Sharing hand towels, eating utensils or dishes increases the risk of passing germs among people, so always use your own and don’t share them. Household items that are touched by multiple people throughout the day, such as remote controls or doorknobs, should be sterilized regularly.
If you do contract any of these fall illnesses and are in need of medical attention, Aayu Clinics is there for you with urgent care services , allergy services , and cough and lung treatment . We also offer flu shots and other immunizations to prepare you for flu season and help prevent illness. Call us today or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
