Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone at Lyon's Pharmacy wants you to be healthy and safe. With kids back to school and college, concerns for preventing colds and flu become important.
Q: Is it safe to continue my regular exercise routine when I'm feeling under the weather?
A: Yes, it is safe to exercise if you have a head cold. Take it easy, though, and postpone a rigorous session until you feel better. You shouldn't exercise if your symptoms include achy muscles, fatigue, hacking cough, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. These symtoms can contribute to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Q: What can I do on a daily basis to boost my immunity?
A: During cold and flu season, it's especially important to keep the immune system in shape. Here's how:
- Hit the hay. Research shows that lack of sleep leaves you more vulnerable to viruses.
- Keep moving. Regular physical activity helps your body fight infection.
- Eat the right stuff. A variety of nutirent-rich foods will keep your immune system operating at its peak.
- Take it easy. Try a relaxation technique like meditation, which research shows can help keep your immune system strong.
Q: My baby has cold symptoms. Could this be cause for concern, and if so, what should I do?
A: Parents with a baby 3 months old or younger should call their pediatrician when the first signs of respiratory problems appear. Cold symptoms can progress to croup, pneumonia and other serious conditions. Make sure your baby gets more sleep and drinks more fluids than usual. Your baby's doctor can advise you whether to use over-the-counter medications to make your baby more comfortable.
JUST ANOTHER SORE THROAT...
or STREP?
Viruses cause more sore throats. In addition to throat pain, sufferers may have a cough, watery eyes and a runny nose. While unpleasant, viral sore throats usually clear up on their own. However, if you have a sore throat and a fever without other cold symptoms, you may have strep throat. Strep throat is caused by an infection from certain streptococcus bacteria. This means that you will need an antibiotic.
Strep throat usually is spread by coughing or sneezing. Anyone can get strep throat, but it is most common in children ages 5 to 15.
SIGNS OF STREP
Besides a sore throat and fever, strep throat can cause other symptoms, including
- headache
- swollen neck glands
- chills, body aches, upset stomach and vomiting - particularly in children
If your sore throat is severe or lasts more than 5 to 7 days, see your doctor. Strep throat is sometimes tough to detect by examination, so your doctor may do a throat culture or other test.
TO SOOTHE STREP THROAT
- Finish your medicine in order to avoid complications. If not properly treated, strep can harm heart valves and kidneys, and cause other problems.
- Eat soft foods, such as soup and ice cream.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- To help ease throat pain, gargle with salt water severeal times a day. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Over-the-counter throat drops and sprays may also help.
- Put a warm, moist towel on your neck to soothe swollen glands.
- Call your doctor if symptoms don't improve in a few days after you've started taking the antibiotic.