Autumn has arrived, and with it, an increase in respiratory infections. While not all illnesses are serious, there’s no way to tell if the mild symptoms you’re experiencing now might turn into complications later. This is why prompt medical care is essential.
Our team at Clarksburg Urgent Care in Clarksburg, Maryland, helps you reduce your risk of complications (and feel better faster) with advanced diagnostic and treatment options tailored to specific types of respiratory infections.
Here, learn about five viral infections that tend to peak in the fall, so you can seek medical treatment at the first sign of symptoms.
Every year, the flu virus infects millions of Americans, causing fever, achiness, and extreme fatigue, among other symptoms. For almost a million people, flu infections are so bad they lead to hospitalization and even death.
Flu is spread by droplets released when you cough, sneeze, or even talk. You can reduce your risk of getting sick by washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and, of course, getting an annual flu vaccine.
Colds are extremely common — Americans “catch” colds about a billion times each year. That’s an average of 3 colds per adult and as many as 10 colds per child. Colds are associated with sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, runny nose, and mild fatigue.
Like the flu, colds are caused by respiratory viruses passed through airborne droplets. You can reduce your risk of catching a cold with the same preventive measures as the flu: frequent handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Wearing a mask may also help.
The common cold is one type of upper respiratory infection (URI) that affects your nose, sinuses, throat, larynx (voice box), and trachea (windpipe). These infections can be caused by viruses (like the common cold) or bacteria and are transmitted in the same ways as cold and flu viruses.
URIs are often associated with inflammation and swelling in your upper airway tract, leading to a sore or scratchy throat, raspy voice or voice loss, stuffy nose, sinus pressure, cough, and mild fever. Without prompt attention, these infections may spread to your lower respiratory tract, including your lungs, where they can lead to pneumonia.
Like the flu and some colds, COVID-19 is caused by a virus — the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to be precise. While COVID-19 infections tend to rise during fall and winter, they can be common at other times of the year as well.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary significantly from one person to the next, but they often include fever, cough, shortness of breath, significant fatigue, and achiness. Some people have nausea, diarrhea, or a loss of taste or smell.
COVID-19 infections can be especially serious for people with underlying medical conditions like heart disease or obesity. Early medical treatment is essential for preventing potentially life-threatening complications. And, like the flu, it’s also important to stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Sore throats can have many causes, including allergies, but a persistent or worsening sore throat is often caused by a virus, including those that cause colds, flu, URIs, and COVID-19 infections. In addition to throat pain, you may have a hoarse voice, voice loss, swollen lymph nodes, or pain when swallowing.
Some very mild sore throats will go away with rest and home care, but other sore throats can be serious, increasing your risk of dangerous complications.
Caused by bacteria and not a virus, strep throat is a serious type of sore throat that requires medical care. Since there’s no way to tell on your own if a virus or bacterium is causing your symptoms, it’s important to have any persistent sore throat evaluated by our team.
Staying healthy isn’t always easy, particularly during the cold, dry months of fall and winter. Eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising regularly can help, and so can seeing our team at the first sign of symptoms.
If you’re not feeling well, request an appointment at Clarksburg Urgent Care today. Call our office, walk in during regular business hours, or book your visit online.