Winter has arrived, and with it comes cold and flu season. You do your best to keep yourself and your family healthy, despite your best efforts, you may still find yourself ill.Common health problems like cold, cough, fever, dryness, asthma, joint pain are widely noticed.The cold season cools your body and this makes simple illness harder to heal. Thus, you need to take precautionary measures before you ever allow a common disease to leave you hospitalised. Here are few winter diseases/illness that you and your child are prone to.
Dry Skin:
It is one of the most common problems faced during winters. Cracked skin, bleeding, pain and infection are apparent due to dryness. A few winter tips for skin like using moisturizers, mild moisturizing soap rather than regular one or applying hand lotion or petroleum jelly can help you in avoiding this problem.
Flu:
Winters are commonly known as the flu season. The flu viruses spread through the air and during winters, your immune system might get little slower than usual. In order to avoid this most common winter disease, make sure to eat a healthy and nutritious diet, drink enough water and exercise regularly.
Joint Pain:
It is most commonly seen in arthritis patients. Drastic fall in temperature can trigger joint pain leading to immobility in some cases. Make sure you wear warm clothes. Please exercise especially during the winter season to keep the body warm.
Asthma:
Cold weather triggers asthma attacks. Winters come with a lot of allergens in the air, which is the main causative factor for asthma. Wear an air purifying mask outside to avoid inhaling any allergen.
Sore Throat:
A Sore Throat is the very first sign that you may be suffering from a bad cold. Most people do not care to treat it and as a result, this may get worse. This disease is one of the most common winter diseases and is usually caused by viral infections.
Could it be coronavirus?
If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
- You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.
Strep Throat
Strep is most often seen in school-aged children. Strep presents as a sore throat, headache, and stomachache. Some people will experience a high fever or vomiting. Strep throat does not usually cause cold symptoms or coughing and it can usually be easily treated with antibiotics.
Norovirus
Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is an extremely infectious stomach bug. It can strike throughout the year but is more common in the winter. The illness is unpleasant, but it’s usually over within a few days. If you are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Cold Sores:
The reason for cold sores to occur in winter is majorly because of the harshness of the dry and cold environment. The dry and cold air dries out the lips; which make them more susceptible to the herpes virus. Adequate nutrition, regular exercise, Home Remedies for Cold and rest will help reduce the chances of getting cold sores.
Pneumonia:
Unlike other common winter illnesses, pneumonia is often caused due to bacterial infection. Pneumonia is a life-threatening disease that can be fatal and this usually starts with viral and fungal infection. This disease clogs the alveoli that are tiny air sacs in your lungs and fills it with fluids. This disease can happen among young people, but if an older person is suffering from it, it can turn out to be dangerous.
Causes of Pneumonia:
Pneumonia is caused by bacteria and viruses that multiply and settle in tiny holes of your lungs (Alveoli). This bacteria is found in terms of liquid that clogs the tiny holes in your lung thus making you develop shortness in breath. However, this disease is deadly because it can spread by coughing, sneezing or by touching an object. The bacteria that powers pneumonia is so deadly that it can fill the lung sacs with bacterial fluid and pus and this can kill you if not treated immediately.
Symptoms of Pneumonia:
The symptoms of pneumonia can be present in different ways, meaning sometimes this disease may start as cold and begins to evolve. Keep in mind that if your child has a bad cold for several days and that the child developed high fever, this can be an immediate sign of pneumonia. Here are some of the symptoms of pneumonia that will help you identify the disease.
-
Severe cough
-
Green phlegm and coughed up lungs
-
High fever
-
Shortness in breath
-
Chills
-
Severe headache
-
Diarrhea
-
Vomiting
-
Profuse sweating
-
Purple colour skin
-
Pain in muscles
-
Acute Ear Infection:
An ear infection is something that is caused by bacterial infections in the middle ear, which is a section found behind your eardrum. Ear infections can be very painful due to inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear. There are both acute as well as chronic ear infections. When it comes to acute ear infection, it is considered very painful but it will last only for a short duration. Winter climate can cause acute ear infections. Usually, people with acute ear infections experience blocked, itchy and painful ears.
Causes of Acute Ear Infection:
An acute ear infection is usually caused when eustachian tube begins to swell and this causes blockage thereby causing fluids to build in your middle ear. Here are some causes of acute ear infection.
- Cold
- Sinus infection
- Smoking
- Changes in climatic condition
Symptoms of Acute Ear Infection:
Here are some symptoms of acute ear infection that will help you identify the disease.
-
Severe pain
-
Discomfort in the ear
-
Pus-filled ear like feel
-
Hearing loss.
RSV/Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory infection. Symptoms include nasal congestion, cough, low-grade fevers, and wheezing. RSV, a particular virus that is often the cause of bronchiolitis, although many different viruses can cause bronchiolitis. It too can resemble a common cold before it progresses into a more serious illness with wheezing, difficulty breathing, and dehydration.
Prevention of Winter illness:
During winter many people have the risk of getting sick. Infectious disease are available in the air and you need to take precautionary measures to stay safe and healthy. There are some simple tips that you can do at home that will safeguard you as well as your family from any winter infection.
- Wash your hands with soap consistently to avoid germs and bacteria.
- If you have a bad cold, then you need to cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough.
- Make sure you use your own utensils when it comes to eating and drinking.
- Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.
- Regular excercises help to strengthen the immunity.
- Get enough sleep.
- Stay well covered in warm clothes and avoid exposure to cold as much as possible.
- Consult a doctor right away when you are feeling sick.
Takeaway
Even though nobody can surely prevent winter illnesses for a lifetime so, maintainig basic hygiene, staying warm and hyderated is very important. make sure to stay away from people if you or others near you are contagious. However, if you feel it is taking too long for you to get better its time you consult a doctor.
Post a comment