Common Winter Illnesses and How to Treat Them

Winter is the time of year when some very unpleasant illnesses appear. Each year you or someone you know will suffer from at least one of them, but even at that, there are times when people are not sure what treatment they should have.

Common Colds

A common cold is the one health issue that most people are likely to suffer from as they are very easily passed from one person to another. They can happen any time of year but tend to spike in the cold and wet of the winter months. They are basically a viral infection, for which there is no cure. All you can do is treat the symptoms and eventually your body will fight it off on its own.

For the coughing that usually appears, a cough syrup is the best, and this may also help to relieve the pain of a sore throat. If you'd rather opt for a natural alternative, you can visit a Manuka honey supplier online as the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey are known to soothe a sore throat. There is not a great deal you can do for the sneezing and runny nose, although some over the counter medications may help a little. Paracetamol to keep the temperature down will help a bit, but usually, it takes a few days for the symptoms to start to subside.

The Flu

Flu attacks the lungs, nose, and throat and sufferers may feel short of breath, have pains in the chest and stomach, or maybe feel dizzy or confused. They may also experience a fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and a cough.

The body does quite well at fighting viral infections, but the flu can last for a couple of weeks. There are some people that are more vulnerable than others, and in the worst case scenario, the flu can lead to death. If the fever gets too high or the patient is bit showing any signs of improvement, you should be thinking to yourself ‘where is the best emergency care near me’, because you might need it. You can never be too careful when it comes to your health.

Stomach Flu

Stomach flu results in diarrhea, vomiting nausea, stomach cramps, fever, headaches and body aches. Just like the common cold and the flu, it is a viral infection that cannot be treated with antibiotics. The best way to treat it is with rest and fluids. However, the fluids should be frequent but taken in small sips, as then the patient stands more chance of keeping them down. The fluids are vital to avoid dehydration, which is a common side effect of stomach flu.

It usually lasts a couple of days, and as they start to feel better they should have more fluids and just a little food that is easy to digest.

Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as tea and coffee, and do not give them any alcohol, as all of these will make them more dehydrated. Soups and broths in small amounts are the best way to reintroduce food, and then after a couple more days, they will be feeling much better.

These are the most common of the winter illnesses, but unfortunately, sometimes they can turn into things much worse when the sufferer is vulnerable. For instance, in an elderly person, the flu could turn to pneumonia, and in the very young a cold could turn to Strep throat. In cases such as these, medical assistance will be crucial, and if you think an illness is dragging on too long or the patient is too hot. Do not hesitate to call for assistance.