There’s no time like the fall season – that brisk air outside, the beautiful colors outside, and don’t forget about the holidays. But for a lot of people, the transition from summer to fall can trigger several unwelcome things as well, like battling new and persistent bacteria and viruses. Most people are unaware that seasonal illnesses generally start ramping up as soon as those leaves start their changing.

And like with most communicable illnesses, the best way to protect yourself against them is by setting measures to prevent them. Let’s take a look at some of the most common occurring seasonal illnesses and some things you can do to help keep yourself, your family, and those around you from falling into the trap of these unpleasant health conditions.

Seasonal Illnesses #1: Influenza (or the Flu Virus)

Of course the flu would be first on this list. The fall and winter seasons are typically where the flu is in full swing and will continue on all the way through May. This particular seasonal illness is one that you really want to do everything necessary to try and prevent. The flu, in and of itself can be a very serious illness, but it also has the capacity to lead to other serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. And then there are those rare cases where the flu has even been reported to be deadly.

Common flu symptoms you need to be aware of:

• Sudden, excessive fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Sore throat
• A persistent cough
• Tightness of the chest
• Wheezing and congestion
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting

Flu Prevention Tips

The flu is essentially the result of a virus that spreads from one person to another. The cooler weather leads to people spending more time together indoors, aiding the spread of the virus and thus making the flu that much more likely. The best method of flu prevention is making sure you are consistently up to date with your flu vaccination every year. Other things you can do to reduce the chances of spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands well and often
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid crowded spaces when possible
• Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, and try to keep your stress levels low—all lifestyle factors that can affect your immune system’s ability to stave off viral infection

Seasonal Illnesses #2: Pesky Fall Allergies

Although it’s not technically categorized as an illness, those that suffer through seasonal allergies would certainly be the first ones to suggest that dealing with fall allergies is a lot similar to being sick, as far as symptoms go. Mold spores and ragweed are generally two of the the more common allergens present during the fall.

Seasonal allergy symptoms might include things like:

• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Temporary loss of smell
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Snoring
• Watery and itchy eyes
• Ear congestion
• Itchy sinuses or throat
• Postnasal drainage

Seasonal Allergy Prevention Tips

If you’re looking for a cure for seasonal allegories, unfortunately you’re kind of out of luck on that one. But, they can be prevented and marginalized fairly easy. Here are some of the best ways to manage seasonal allergy symptoms:

• Check the daily pollen count
• Check your city’s air quality report before spending time outside
• Keep your car and home windows closed
• Take a shower after spending time outside

Seasonal Illnesses #3: The Dreaded Common Cold

There are more than 3 million cases of colds each and every year. That’s why they’re typically referred to as the “common” cold. And depending on circumstances, colds can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks at a time. It’s also very easy to spread, person to person. They are highly contagious and are passed through skin-to-skin contact, saliva, being in contact with contaminated surfaces, and/or even through airborne respiratory droplets.

Common Cold Prevention Tips

Unlike being able to go get a vaccine to help prevent the flu, you can’t do that with a cold. And the reason being because there are just too many different viruses that can cause your common cold. You’re better off using one of the following methods for prevention:

• Wash your hands before eating, after using the restroom, and periodically throughout the day
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid crowded spaces when possible
• Get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and try to keep your stress levels low—these lifestyle factors that can affect your immune system’s ability to stave off a cold

Contact Trophy Club Family Medicine

If you want some more information, tips or methods for helping to prevent these or any other common seasonal illnesses, contact us at Trophy Club Family Medicine to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians. We are located in Trophy Club, TX, just off of Trophy Club Dr.

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