Nov. 14--Flu season may still be weeks away, but other viruses are keeping local doctor's offices and emergency rooms full.
Physicians have been seeing lots of children and adults with coughs, colds and other viral infections this fall.
"We have seen an increased rate of patients with colds and coughs since the end of summer," said Ray McAllister, M.D., a family physician with UPMC Hamot's Summit Family Practice. "We usually don't see a lot of respiratory illnesses until mid-November, but they're early this year."
A stronger-than-usual late-summer allergy season and unusually cool weather to start the fall were two reasons local doctors gave for the early spike in patients with colds and coughs.
People who suffer sinus allergies are predisposed to respiratory infections, McAllister said.
"When the temperatures dropped earlier this fall, people closed their windows and their furnaces kicked on," said Wayne Jones, D.O., director of emergency medicine at Saint Vincent Health Center. "Anytime you limit the circulation of fresh air, viruses can congregate in work places, classrooms, day-care centers, places like that."
Most colds and coughs go away on their own in several days to a few weeks, but sometimes they can lead to more serious bacterial infections like sinusitis, strep throat or pneumonia.
"The virus sets up the environment and bacteria moves in," Jones said.
You should see your doctor if symptoms don't start to improve in about a week, McAllister said.
"That's especially true if the mucus you bring up is still green or yellow, instead of clear," McAllister said.
It's also recommended that you see a doctor or head to the emergency room if you aren't eating or drinking, or having difficulty breathing.
"With infants, they need to go to the emergency department if they can't take a bottle," said Ferdinando Mirarchi, D.O., medical director of Hamot's emergency department. "They are so short of breath they can't breathe while feeding themselves."
How to treat symptoms
Time is the only cure for most colds and coughs, though there are treatments to alleviate symptoms and make the patient feel better.
Some of grandma's home remedies are making as comeback, Mirarchi said.
"What seems to be in vogue are some of the old-school treatments, like Vick's VapoRub and inhalants," Mirarchi said. "The over-the-counter cough syrups all have side effects, and sometimes they work, but sometimes they don't."
McAllister recommended using saline nasal sprays or a neti pot -- a small vessel that looks like a teapot and is used to pour saltwater through the nasal passages to keep them clear.
"Keeping the sinuses moist and clear helps prevent coughing," McAllister said. "If you use a saline spray, you have to be consistent about it. You should do each nostril twice, three to four times a day."
Using a room humidifier can work by helping keep the sinuses moist, McAllister said. Make sure to clean it regularly, or else it can blow mold into the air.
If you decide to buy a medicated nasal spray, don't use it for more than five days, Jones said.
"Those sprays work by shrinking the nasal passages," Jones said. "If you use it continuously for five or more days and then stop using it, they swell back up. You end up dependent on the medication."
How to prevent getting sick
It's almost impossible to avoid the viruses that cause colds and coughs. They seem to be everywhere and are transmitted easily from person to person through sneeze and cough droplets.
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection, and give your immune system a fighting chance.
"Hand washing is always good," Mirarchi said. "Make sure everyone washes their hands regularly. Also try to eat well-balanced meals and get plenty of sleep."
DAVID BRUCE can be reached at 870-1736 or by e-mail.
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