DealDash On: Winter Illnesses

Staying well and not succumbing to a winter illness can be a tough proposition. There are germs everywhere. Here is a quick guide from DealDash to winter illnesses to try to avoid.

No one likes coughing, fevers, dry eyes, sniffles, and headaches, but sadly most people have some (or all) of these annoying symptoms every year due to getting sick in the winter time. People who are healthy at all other times of the year seems to end up sick in the winter, possibly due to being cooped up inside, sharing germs that the kids bring home from school, and many other reasons. Here is a short guide from DealDash of some of the illnesses that you should try to watch out for this winter.

• Common cold
  A cold is a viral infection that has a runny nose, and/or nasal congestion, a sore throat, a cough, and also possibly includes a  headache. You might also have a low-grade fever when you first contract a cold. Unfortunately, Colds can be caused by many different types of viruses, so it’s possible to get one after another, and there is no vaccine against a cold. Luckily, the winter months are usually when most people contract a cold. Most colds clear themselves up about in approximately 7-10 days. As I said, there’s no cure for the cold, just rest, hydration, and OTC medication to manage your symptoms.

• Bronchiolitis
  Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory infection, especially among children, but anyone can contract Bronchiolitis. However, it is most often seen in younger children. Nasal congestion, cough, low-grade fevers, and wheezing are the most common symptoms seen with bronchiolitis. It can mimic a common cold in the beginning, and then can progress into the more serious bronchiolitis with wheezing, difficulty breathing, and dehydration. Just like it’s cousin, the cold, the symptoms with bronchiolitis tend to worsen over the first few days and then begin to improve. It’s very common to have a lingering cough after a bout of bronchiolitis.

Influenza
Influenza or “the Flu” begins with a high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and also muscle aches and pains. The muscle aches and pains are the clue that you are dealing with the flu instead of a cold. The fever with the flu can last up to 5 days. The flu isn’t usually harmful to the average healthy adult, but it can be dangerous for babies, kids, the elderly, and people with already compromised immune systems. The best way to avoid the flu is to make sure that you and everyone in your family gets their annual flu vaccine.

• Strep Throat
  Strep throat can be contracted by anyone, but is most often seen in school-aged children and their parents. Strep throat usually includes a sore throat, headache, and can also include a stomach ache. Some people who contract strep will get high fevers or vomit. Luckily, strep throat does not cause cold symptoms or coughing.  It can usually be easily treated with antibiotics; sometimes there is a re-occurrence of strep throat shortly after. On a personal note, when I was in high school I repeatedly contracted strep throat, and they removed my tonsils!

I hope that you found this DealDash guide on winter illnesses helpful. If you’re sick and stuck at home, get your mind off of your discomfort and check out DealDash. DealDash has many things to help you feel better with your illness including blankets, digital thermometers, heating pads, and more. Visit DealDash now. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!