Each week, Centra Care doctors compile thousands of numbers from patient data in Orange, Lake, Seminole and Osceola counties to determine "What's Going Around" in Central Florida. We believe this information is important enough to share with you, because if you know "What's Going Around" in your area of town you can help to prevent yourself, your co-workers and family from getting sick. Many times we are also able to provide home care suggestions which may help the person feel better more quickly.

With all the coughing, sniffling and sneezing, it’s hard not to know what’s going around this week in Central Florida. You can also spot it with all the tissues, cough syrup and pain medicines – because just about every family has someone suffering the symptoms of a cold.

Colds, a.k.a Upper Respiratory Infections (URI), are up 33% across all 18 Centra Care locations.

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URI is any type of infection of the head and chest that is caused by a virus. It can affect people in different ways... In the nose, throat, sinuses and ears. There are over 200 viruses that cause URIs. The infection is spread when viruses are passed to others by sneezing, coughing, or by touching something that has been infected by another person. Close contact with many people over the holidays could be the culprit for the increase in URI. Physical or emotional stress can also make you more likely to get sick, as can a poor diet.

Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infection include:

• Scratchy or sore throat
• Sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion
• Cough
• Watery eyes
• Ear congestion
• Slight fever (99º to 100ºF)
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Symptoms typically develop one to three days after coming into contact with a cold virus. If you have a slight fever, headache or muscle/joint aches, you can take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.

For a sore throat try: lozenges, gargling salt water, or even a popsicle might help with the pain. If you have a stuffy nose, a decongestant or saline nose drops can ease the suffering. If you have a runny nose, use a mild antihistamine. And for a cough, adults can use a cough medication or cough drops.

These types of colds usually last about a week. You can help take care of yourself by drinking lots of fluids and using a humidifier at night so that you're inhaling moist air.

But there's also a time when you need to see a doctor or take your child to a doctor:

Temperature reaches 102ºF or higher Shaking chills Difficulty breathing/wheezing Chest pain Skin rash Worsening sore throat

White or yellow spots on your tonsils or throat A cough that gets worse or becomes painful Severe headache Mental confusion Blue or gray lips, skin or nails Worsening earache

There are 18 Centra Care Urgent Care locations – and a Florida Hospital certified physician on site – 7 Days a Week. For locations and phone numbers visit: www.CentraCare.org

 

Sincerely,

Florida Hospital Centra Care
407-200-CARE (2273)
To learn more about "What's Going Around" in our community you can listen to the Centra Care Senior Medical Director each Tuesday morning between 8am and 8:30am on 88.3FM radio - Z88.3