MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) The weather seems to be affecting what's going around this week.
Dr. Ron Reynolds at Beach Urgent Care as well as doctors at Family Medicine of Sayebrook in Surfside Beach is reporting a big number of sinus infections right now.
The symptoms are fullness and pressure over your cheekbones and forehead and some postnasal drip. Doctors say some people even report mild dizziness and ear pressure. If you're suffering from sinusitis, decongestants can help. You can also see a doctor for more powerful help from steroids and antibiotics.
Although the warm weather seems to be keeping cases of the seasonal flu down, the stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is going around. Dr. Ray Holt at Seacoast Primary Care says symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. This is very contagious so you want to limit contact with anyone who may be sick and make sure you are washing your hands throughout the day. Dr. Holt says you should see a doctor if you have a fever over 100.5 degrees, significant abdominal pain or if you can't keep fluids down.
Dr. Richard Joslin at Doctors Care, Strand Office, says a mixture of respiratory infections is going around. He says there have been several different distinctive "bugs" around. One in particular causes significant hoarseness, often so severe that the patient totally loses their voice. Mild hoarseness is a common symptom with respiratory infections, but the degree of hoarseness has been much greater than usual with the recent respiratory bug. Dr. Joslin says another common feature is that the illness is severe for a few days, and then seems to resolve, but then returns a second time. He says cough seems to be a very prominent symptom with this bug, and one which seems to persist even after most other symptoms have recovered. Luckily, Dr. Joslin says most of the recent infections have been responding to various antibiotics.
At Grand Strand Pediatrics, Dr. Nick Colvard reports seeing a nasty upper respiratory infection. He says symptoms include cough, fever, laryngitis and sore throat. Dr. Colvard says treatment depends on symptoms. Over the counter medication can help anyone over 4 years old and a humidifier at night can help all ages with cough.
Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WMBF, a Raycom Media Station.
