Influenza isn't the only respiratory illness that's going around Mid-Michigan right now. There's another bug that's laying people up for as long as two weeks. Dr. Marie Louise Sagan-Yewah at McLaren Greater Lansing Family Medicine has seen several cases of it lately.
The virus causes congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, a headache and fatigue. Some kids run a fever when they get it.
There's not a whole lot you can do about it except relieve the symptoms while the virus runs its course. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the fever and headache. Over-the-counter cough medicines and antihistamines will help with the rest.
You might also get some relief from the congestion by using a vaporizer or humidifier.
Viral infections are spread through coughing and sneezing. The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands several times a day. Don't share utensils or cups with a sick person.
You should see a doctor if the symptoms last more than a week, if you have a high fever, or if you have pain in the upper face or teeth.
Those are all possible signs of a bacterial infection that could require an antibiotic.
