When winter rolls in for the season, so do illnesses. It is typical to see sicknesses ramp up, but the rate and type have severely increased this year. This could be accounted for by the band trip to Georgia with numerous participants complaining of feeling under the weather when arriving home. Samuel Wood, a member of the trumpet section, stated “I think I got sick in Georgia because I was around a lot of sick kids that were nasally, when I got back home I started showing signs three days after.” So what can you do this season to stay healthy?
Discussing the types of illnesses going around is important. The most prominent is the common cold, with symptoms ranging from a sneeze to a runny nose and fever accompanied by a painful cough. The span of this cold could last up to two weeks with lingering effects. Everyone can say they’ve had a cold, commonly treated with Ibuprofen and Mucinex. It is the least concerning illness you could get, but if left untreated it could become something more threatening to your physical health, such as bronchitis, sinus infections, or maybe even an ear infection.
Another easily spread virus that is noteworthy is Influenza A, also known as the flu. These symptoms are a bit more severe with sneezing, fevers, harsh coughs, body aches, and headaches. The flu is a miserable time that can be helped through with rest, cough drops, and Tamiflu. Treating these symptoms is extremely important. Leaving the flu untreated can lead to pneumonia.
Like the flu, COVID-19 is a virus with all the same symptoms in a worsened state. Unlike the flu, however, there are no specific medications to treat COVID-19. Instead, it is recommended to treat the symptoms with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen for body aches and headaches, Robitussin, Mucinex, and Vicks Dayquil/Nyquil to soothe the congestion in the chest. If the symptoms don’t seem to be improving after fourteen days it is recommended to go to the hospital.
With all of this being said, taking care of your health is very important. Some illnesses if left untreated can grow into problems that could become life-threatening. Look out for any of the previous symptoms listed and contact your doctor. Washing your hands, covering your mouth with the inside of your elbow as you cough, and not sharing drinks with others is a great way to prevent the spread of these illnesses. With all this in mind make sure to be mindful of yourself and other’s well-being by following guidelines and being respectful.
