(This article by Dr. Caleb Nwosu, medical director of Keystone Walk In Care, first appeared in the Public Opinion Newspaper in March 2013. Click here to read it at www.publicopiniononline.com.)
It’s that time of year – the coughing, sniffling, sneezing season when germs that cause upper respiratory infections seem to run rampant. So when an illness like this hits, how do you know if it’s just a cold or something more serious? And, when is it time to see a doctor?
What is an upper respiratory infection?
Upper respiratory infection can be any one of an array of illnesses that are bacterial or viral including the common cold, acute middle ear infection, group A strep (commonly called Strep Throat), inflammation of the wind pipe, bronchitis, sinus infections, laryngitis, the flu, and tonsillitis. Typical symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, post nasal drip, sneezing, hoarseness, body aches, headache, nausea, and decreased appetite. Sometimes fever and chills may also be present. Although these illnesses are more common in the winter months of the year, it can happen at any time.
Home Treatment
Many of these illnesses can be managed at home by taking extra care to rest, drinking extra fluids, and using a humidifier. You can also manage some symptoms by using over the counter medications such as acetaminophen or cough and cold medicines. However, be sure to consult with your pharmacist or health care provider when using decongestants, particularly if you have high blood pressure. Decongestants can also be overused, so be sure to follow the directions on the medication and only use it for a short amount of time. Be careful when using multiple over the counter medications, you may overdose by mistake if one cold medication includes acetaminophen and you also take acetaminophen separately.
When to see a doctor
If you have a bacterial infection, you will need to take antibiotics. Many times it is difficult for the average person to tell the difference between a viral and bacterial illness, so it may be helpful to see a health care provider. If your symptoms get worse over time or seem to get better and then return, it’s important to see a healthcare provider immediately. Often, something that starts as viral can quickly turn into a bacterial infection. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat some of these infections, particularly strep throat, ear infection and inflammation of the wind pipe. If prescribed, antibiotics should be used strictly as directed, even if the patient feels completely recovered.
Dr. Caleb Nwosu is medical director of Keystone Urgent Care located at 830 Fifth Ave in Chambersburg. Click here to learn more about Keystone Urgent Care.
