We all know that feeling… the tickle in your throat, chills forming goosebumps on your arms and legs, or that urge to get to the bathroom right away!
This time of year, sickness is everywhere. But how do you know what you have? Should you get tested? What about treatment? Is an antibiotic an option? Can you take care of yourself at home? How do you know if you need to see a doctor?
We’ve created a cheat sheet to help you understand the basics of FIVE of the most common “bugs” going around Minnesota right now. These are illnesses we see daily at The Urgency Room’s Twin Cities locations.
While not every illness requires a trip to the doctor, patients who are at a higher risk of severe illness include young children, patients aged greater than 65, pregnant women, or patients with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, other lung diseases, heart disease, or diabetes. For these patients, testing for some viruses right when you notice symptoms allows your doctor to decide if you would benefit from a prescription antiviral medication to prevent progression to severe illness and help avoid hospitalization.
SICKNESS CHEAT SHEET – Avoid Kids Winter Sickness
COVID-19 and Influenza (FLU)
Both COVID-19 and influenza are respiratory viruses and have many overlapping symptoms. It is difficult to say which virus it may be based on symptoms alone.
Most Common Symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough and congestion
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Unusual fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Testing?
YES! Testing is available for COVID-19 and influenza. The Urgency Room offers rapid molecular (DNA testing) for both viruses. For patients at risk of severe infections and complications, it is beneficial to know which virus is causing the infection. Influenza and COVID-19 both have antiviral medications are available, but each virus is treated with a different medication.
Tips to Cope at Home:
Be sure to follow the CDC guidelines on isolation if you test positive for COVID-19 or influenza. For mild illness, the treatment plan is simple:
Get rest
Drink plenty of fluids
Use fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (Never give aspirin
to children or teenagers).
Use OTC pain relief
Signs You Need to See a Doctor:
Here are signs you or your loved one with COVID-19 or influenza needs to be seen by a doctor right away:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
- Concern for dehydration
- New confusion
- Not able to stay awake
- Gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
- Symptoms get better but then return with worse fever and cough (possible pneumonia)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is also a respiratory virus with many symptoms overlapping with influenza and RSV. However, RSV characteristically causes lung inflammation that may result in wheezing and
shortness of breath. RSV is most dangerous for babies, young children, and patients older than 65 with chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms include:
Fever
Cough and chest congestion
Runny nose and sneezing
Wheezing
Decreased appetite
Dehydration, especially in small children
Testing?
The Urgency Room can test patients aged less than 18 years and older than 65 years for RSV. There is no specific antiviral medication available for RSV.
Signs You Need to See a Doctor:
- Trouble breathing (in infants and young children, look for retractions when the child is using the muscles in the shoulders or stomach to breathe. Look for grunting, sucking the tummy under the ribs, or skin between ribs getting sucked in with each breath).
- Dehydration
- RSV can develop into pneumonia, a sinus infection, or an ear infection, all of which should be treated with antibiotics.
Strep Throat
Unlike COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, strep throat is NOT a viral infection. It is a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of Strep Throat:
Throat pain comes on quickly and makes it difficult to swallow
Red, swollen tonsils (possible white patches)
Fever
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Body Aches
Rash (fine red bumps that feel rough like sandpaper)
Testing?
Yes. The Urgency Room offers rapid DNA testing for strep throat.
After Antibiotics, Signs You Need to Be Seen Again:
- If your symptoms have not improved after 2-3 days on antibiotics, you need to be seen
for a recheck.
Norovirus
Norovirus is a stomach virus that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many call this the “stomach flu,” but it is not the same as influenza. Other symptoms include fever, abdominal
pain, and cramping.
Testing?
Typically, doctors diagnose norovirus based on your symptoms. There is no specific antiviral treatment for norovirus. However, there are things you can do at home to help yourself. Use
acetaminophen to reduce fever. Oral hydration is essential. Take small sips of fluids frequently. For many patients, it is safe to use an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication to
reduce diarrhea.
Check these Signs if You Need to See a Doctor:
- The most significant risk that comes with norovirus is dehydration. Signs of dehydration include decreased urine production, excessive thirst, dry mouth/lips/tongue, and dizziness. At
the Urgency Room, we can assess for dehydration and provide IV fluids and nausea medications if necessary. - Sometimes, more serious abdominal problems such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a bowel obstruction start as vomiting and/or diarrhea. See a doctor if you have significant abdominal pain, bloody stools, or pain that is focused in one part of the abdomen.
The goal is to stay healthy and avoid sickness this winter, but if you find yourself down and out, knowing your symptoms, testing options, and treatment can help you to battle the bout better
armed.
Dr. Kristi Trussell is an ER physician and Assistant Medical Director of The Urgency Room.
