MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Some catchy bugs are making their way around the Grand Strand this week.
At Doctors Care in Carolina Forest, Dr. Brian Scott says he's diagnosing a lot of mono lately. He says it's a viral infection that is more prevalent than in years past. Symptoms to look out for include fever, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, headaches and severe fatigue.
The best way to recover is to get rest, take Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever and pain and drink lots of fluids.
Dr. Scott says there are tests that can diagnose mono and you may need to stay home from work or school while recovering. You can avoid catching it by not kissing or drinking out of the same glass of someone with mono and washing your hands frequently.
At Beach Urgent Care, Dr. Ron Reynolds says he's finally starting to see some flu cases. He says symptoms include weak, muscle aches and vomiting and headaches.
Dr. Reynolds says if you think you have the flu, get into your doctor within the first few days because you can be treated with Tamiflu, which will reduce the length of time you're sick and the severity of the symptoms.
Dr. Ray Holt at Seacoast Primary Care says he's seeing a lot of people who can't kick respiratory infections. He says many patients have been on antibiotics and over-the-counter medicine, but continue to cough, have sinus pressure and drainage.
Dr. Holt says there are a few reasons for the illnesses. First, for some people, their sickness turns out to be allergies and they need an antihistamine. Other people are suffering from resistant bacteria and they require a broad spectrum, more powerful antibiotic.
Still others have an infection that's gone away but the inflammation in their airway persists. For them, an inhaler and steroids will help.
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