A January hello from Funk Dental!!!

With flu season continuing into January, it is more important than ever to drink a lot of fluids, get plenty of rest and eat healthy.  If you do get cold symptoms, how do you know if you have a serious infection or just a virus that will run its course in a few days?

Sore throat and a runny nose, even with a fever, may still be caused by a virus.  A fever higher than 101 F means a more likely chance of a throat infection, like strep, is causing your misery. Lymph nodes trap and destroy germs so they swell up when starting to fight an infection.  If they become less painful after a couple of days, chances are the cause is a virus. If you experience severe throat pain and prolonged fever, you should see a doctor and will usually be treated with antibiotics.  

It is frustrating that a common cold and the flu can feel the same when they are caused by different organisms.  No medication will “cure” a common cold, you just have to let your body heal on its own.

Stay warm and check out my post next month!

Pam Funk, BS,RDH