How to recognize and treat sinusitis, norovirus, or bronchitis? And how do you know when it's time to see a doctor? You probably expect colds and flu to be common during the coldest months of the year, but other common viral infections can also arise in winter. Here's what you need to know about the three most common viral infections you may encounter.
Sinusitis
This painful condition develops when an infection, usually the virus from a cold, spreads to the cavities behind your forehead and cheeks and between your eyes. You may have a stuffy nose, feel facial pain and pressure, or feel like your sinus cavities are full.
How to avoid sinusitis: Protect yourself from colds (one of the most common viral infections) by washing your hands frequently, eating a good diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Also, reduce any exposure to cigarette smoke. If you think you have sinusitis, rest as much as you need to and drink hot beverages that can help clear mucus. You can also clean your nose with saline solution or seawater spray.
Consult a doctor if symptoms worsen or last more than 10 days without improvement (most cases resolve before), or if you experience sharp pain around the nose and eyes, have a fever of over 38.8°C, or have a rapidly spreading warm, red rash. Remember that you generally won't need antibiotics: most sinusitis is viral, and antibiotics only work against bacteria. Unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to these drugs, and antibiotics can also have unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea.
Norovirus
Commonly called stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis, norovirus causes vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and sometimes fever. It usually disappears after 48 to 72 hours.
How to avoid norovirus: About half of people who come into contact with someone with norovirus also get this condition. So be careful when you are with someone who is vomiting or suffering from diarrhea. Wash your hands often, especially after going to the toilet and before eating or cooking. If you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. If you think you have norovirus, rest and, since you will likely lose a lot of fluids, be sure to drink plenty of water, fruit juice, broth, and other non-alcoholic and caffeine-free drinks (in small doses if that's all you can drink). Start a probiotic regimen to restore the balance of your intestinal flora. Some plants like echinacea can help you overcome viral gastroenteritis more quickly.
Consult a doctor if you are extremely thirsty or disoriented, dizzy, unstable, or weak, or if you urinate less than normal. These symptoms may be signs of severe dehydration. Remember that norovirus is very contagious. Stay home while you are sick and then disinfect all surfaces you have touched with a bleach-based household cleaner.
Bronchitis
The main sign of bronchitis, which occurs when the bronchial tubes are inflamed and produce excess mucus and a cough that can last up to three weeks. Normally, the cough produces mucus for the first three to seven days, then becomes dry.
How to avoid bronchitis: Bronchitis is usually caused by common viral infections such as a cold or the flu, so adopt healthy habits such as those suggested above to avoid sinusitis. Also avoid people who cough or sneeze. If you think you have bronchitis, to relieve a sore throat and clear mucus, inhale with essential oils, for example. However, remember that coughing is useful, as it helps you get rid of bacteria that can cause a secondary infection such as pneumonia (learn more about pneumonia below). In this case as well, the use of echinacea is interesting to overcome viral inflammation.
Consult a doctor if symptoms improve and then worsen again: if you have a new fever or chest pain, for example, or if you cough up blood.
Pneumonia: viral or bacterial?
Is pneumonia a viral infection to be wary of in winter? This lung infection can be caused by a virus, but it is more often caused by a bacterium called pneumococcus. You can be vaccinated against this bacterium, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that elderly people, young children, and people with certain risk factors or suffering from diseases that weaken the immune system be vaccinated. Symptoms of pneumonia may include coughing, yellow or blood-tinged mucus, a fever that may be high, shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing or coughing, chills, headaches, and even nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Symptoms may appear after you have started to feel better following a previous upper respiratory tract infection. Consult a doctor as soon as you think you have pneumonia, as the severity of this illness can vary from person to person. If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
Going further For a serene winter, many natural solutions are available to you. In nutritherapy, this support is characterized by the intake of specific nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Copper, Glutamine, Propolis, Royal Jelly, or probiotics. In aromatherapy, many powerful essential oils (oregano, thyme, eucalyptus) are of great help in overcoming colds, flu, and various infections. The use of essential oils is precise. Seek advice from a specialist or follow to the letter the ready-made "prescriptions" that you can find in some renowned specialized books. Finally, phytotherapy can also be of great help to strengthen your immune defenses or during convalescence.
Sources: ConsumerReports.com - Based on an article written by Catherine Roberts.