In India, Winter is one of the most awaited seasons not only because there is a drop in temperature, but also because it is filled with festive and wedding vibes. You have so many reasons to love Winters, but this shouldn’t make you ignore the impact it has on your health. In this blog, we have enlisted some common diseases that are more prevalent in winter and effective precautionary measures that can help prevent them same. Continue reading to learn more.
Common Cold
The common cold is one of the most common winter diseases. It refers to the mild infection of the upper respiratory tract, which means that it majorly involves the nose and throat. It is just like the flu, only the symptoms are not as severe and go away within 3 to 5 days. It is, however, important to note that the disease is contagious and can easily spread from one person to another via air, contaminated with sneeze droplets. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces, for instance, if you touch an object that has been contaminated and rub your eyes with the same hand.
Symptoms
As far as the symptoms are concerned, these are quite basic and include sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, teary eyes, fever and cough. The onset of the symptoms is seen usually within a few days of infection and in extreme cases these can last for a week or more.
Treatment
Now, let's come to the treatment part. Common cold does not require any major medical intervention and doctors generally prescribe medication for managing the symptoms. It is important to understand that the common cold cannot be cured and it will take its time to go away on its own. There are, however, a few things that can help.
You need to get enough rest. It doesn't matter even if you take naps during the day.
- Make sure you are taking enough water and fluids. It is important to keep yourself hydrated.
- If possible, use a humidifier as it helps to break the mucus and relieve stuffy nose. You can also use a mist vaporizer.
- If your throat is hurting you can try gargling with lukewarm saline water or add a few drops of oral betadine solution to it.
- If your doctor has prescribed over-the-counter medication, make sure that you take the dosage properly. It shouldn't be below or above the recommended levels.
When to See a Doctor?
The common cold is not generally because of concern and it rarely impacts a person's ability to indulge in normal day-to-day activities. However, in some cases, the cold can aggravate and lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis. It is hence advisable to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the below-mentioned symptoms:
- Breathing difficulty
- Rapid breathing
- Dehydration
- Persistent fever that lasts for more than 4 days
- No improvement in symptoms despite medication
- Symptoms that keep on recurring
Influenza
Commonly referred to as flu, influenza doesn't need an introduction. It is an acute infection of the respiratory tract that generally lasts for 7 to 10 days and is linked with higher risks of severe complications in children, the elderly, pregnant women, obese people, and those with a compromised immune system. As per the World Health Organisation, about a billion cases of Influenza are reported every year and nearly 3 to 5 million of these lead to severe illness. Influenza is caused by the influenza virus and can be classified into four different types - A, B, C, and D.
Symptoms
The onset of the symptoms can be seen within 2 days of being infected and these may be experienced up to weeks. The symptoms are somewhat similar to those of the common cold, however, in this case, they are quite severe. One may have a fever, cough, muscle cramps, joint pain, sore throat, runny nose, and severe malaise.
Treatment
Doctors generally recommend antivirus medication for the management of Influenza. You may also be given meditation to manage symptoms. Apart from these, there are a few more things that you can do to speed up the recovery process.
- You should stay at home and get enough rest.
- Drink plenty of water and healthy fluids
- Keep yourself warm
- Eat healthy and nutritious meals prepared at home.
When to See a Doctor?
In the majority of the cases, the patients respond well to the treatment and there is nothing serious to be worried about however it is important to seek proper medical help if you have any of the following:
- An underlying medical condition that increases the chances of severe complications.
- No response to the treatment even after 10 days
- Persistent fever that is not responding to the medication
- If you are pregnant
- Breathing difficulty
- Decreased urine output
- Severe pain in the chest and stomach
- The bluish tone of the skin due to cyanosis
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is commonly seen in kids in the age group of 5 to 15 years. The disease is rare in cats who are under 3 years of age, however, the risks are never completely zero. It is caused by bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes and primarily infects the throat and tonsils. The infection can easily spread from one person to another through close contact or by inhaling air contaminated with sneeze droplets. Without proper treatment, one can be contagious for even a month, however by taking the prescribed antibiotics you can stop being contagious within a day or two of the onset.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of strep throat usually manifest within 2 to 5 days of exposure. It is characterized by symptoms like high fever (101 F or more), swollen tonsils, difficulty in swallowing, tender lymph nodes, stomachache, loss of appetite, and petechiae.
Treatment:
Since strep throat is caused by bacterial infection, doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat it. The treatment can continue for up to 10 days and it generally focuses on managing the symptoms and elevating the risks of any complications. It is quite possible that your child may test positive despite being symptomatic. This means that your child is a carrier and in such cases, there are very low chances of passing on the illness or developing any serious complication. Being a parent is important to make sure that your child is taking all the doses at the right time. Even if you start feeling well and think that you do not need the treatment anymore it is important to complete the prescribed dosage as some of the bacteria may remain intact and cause complications later. Here are a few things that may help to make you feel comfortable.
- Gargle with lukewarm saline water
- Keep suckling on a lozenge
- Replace your toothbrush
When To See a Doctor?
Most people with strep throat start to feel better within 24 to 48 hours of starting the treatment however if you, or your little one, are not responding to the same it is important to consult a Doctor immediately.
Preventing Infections in Winters
Although the risks are high there are still ways to protect yourself and your loved ones against the risks of these infections
- First of all, it is important to get your flu shot. So, if you haven't done it till now roll up your sleeves and get it done.
- Try to avoid crowds as much as you can. No doubt going out in winter seems to be fun, but it is important to choose places that are less crowded.
- Whether it's Winter or even summer, make it a habit to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching objects that have high risks of being contaminated such as the handrail of an escalator.
- Dress up appropriately, according to the weather, and keep yourself warm with a nice pair of socks and a cap.
If you, or, someone you know, shows up with any signs of infection, consult a specialist for expert opinion.
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