Allergies are causing a lot of sneezing and sniffling locally. But they aren't the only thing.
A lot of people are dealing with upper respiratory infections right now. Dr. Dennis Perry at McLaren Greater Lansing Primary Care tells us they're usually caused by a virus and are contagious.
Symptoms include congestion, runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, watery eyes, fatigue and a headache.Sometimes they cause a fever as well. The infection usually lasts a week or two.
You can treat them with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for the pain and fever. Over-the-counter anti-histamines can help with the congestion. You also might want to try a vaporizer or humidifier.
A viral infection can't be treated with antibiotics. You should see a doctor to rule out a bacterial infection if it lasts longer than a week or the symptoms get worse over the first 5 or 7 days.
You should also see one if you have a high fever or increased pain in the face or teeth. The best way to prevent a respiratory infection is to practice good hygiene.
