What’s Bugging You This Fall?

Every autumn, it’s the same old story — you get a stuffy nose and a massive case of the sneezes. Cold, flu, and allergies all are common in the fall. Telling them apart is tough. But doing so can help you feel better faster.

The Common Cold: Many Causes

Together, Americans suffer 1 billion colds each year. Most strike between late August and early April. That’s when people spend time in school and indoors, close to others who may be infected. You might be the latest victim if you have a stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a hacking cough

Cold symptoms can be caused by one of more than 200 different viruses — that’s part of why there is no cure. The main thing to keep in mind is that:

• Cold symptoms last about seven to 10 days, and usually an additional three days in smokers.
• Antibiotics are not needed, and may have unwanted side effects.
• Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen will help with fever and muscle aches.

Try gargling with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat. For your cough, ask your pharmacist to help you choose an over-the- counter antitussive medication. Be sure to consult your doctor before giving any cold medications to children.

Call your doctor if your symptoms last more than two weeks or you have severe pain in your sinuses, the areas behind your nose and eyes. You may have a sinus or ear infection requiring antibiotics.

The Flu: Guarding Against H1N1

Researchers believe that the new H1N1 flu virus spreads the same way that seasonal flu spreads — from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can also spread when people touch infected surfaces and then touch their noses or mouths. Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu symptoms and include fever, sore throat, headache, chills, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting also can occur. As with seasonal flu, protect yourself and your family by taking these precautions:

• Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have soap and water.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
• Don’t get too close to people who are sick. Those who have this flu are considered contagious starting one day before they show symptoms and up to seven or more days afterwards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged people to get their usual seasonal flu shot, but notes that the seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against H1N1. As this was being written, steps were being taken to manufacture and test an H1N1 vaccine. For updates on H1N1 flu, visit deancare.com.

Anyone older than 6 months can get vaccinated for seasonal flu, but it’s especially recommended for those who are 50 and older, younger than 19, pregnant, or living with a chronic disease or in a nursing home. As this was written, a CDC advisory committee has recommended that certain groups receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available, including pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, people ages 6 months to 24 years, and people ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Allergies: Something in the Air

Fall allergies are usually a bad reaction to pollen from the ragweed plant. This powdery substance hangs in the air from late August until the first frost. It can cause:

• Itchy or watery eyes
• Stuffy, runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Sleep problems

Reduce your exposure by showering after going outside and keeping home and car windows closed. Medications, including over-the-counter antihistamines and prescription nasal steroids, also can help.

If drugs don’t work, your allergies interfere with your daily life, or you have another condition, such as asthma, call your doctor. He or she might recommend a treatment like allergy shots. These are given before allergy season begins to get your body used to ragweed.

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