While ear, nose, and throat problems can strike at any time of the year, they are known to flare up in the winter months when the weather becomes cold and dry. Learning about the top four ENT problems can help you prepare and know what to do to start feeling better!

Common Cold

The common cold can present annoying symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, and headache. Because the cold is a virus, there is no cure, but treatment can be used to manage symptoms. Symptoms should gradually improve over the course of 7-10 days, but if symptoms worsen or return, you might need to see an ENT specialist to rule out other illnesses.

Influenza

Winter is the peak of flu season and at some point, it might seem like everyone around you is out sick with it! If you experience symptoms such as high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches, you might have the viral infection. Viral infections like the flu can’t be cured with a simple antibiotic, instead, you’ll just have to let it run its course. There are some antiviral medications that can be prescribed by your ENT specialists in an attempt to shorten the duration of your illness. A specialist can also rule out other conditions that might appear similar to the flu.

Strep Throat

A sore throat can have many causes, but one that is severe and persistent might be due to streptococci bacteria causing strep throat! Its symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, so you should see an ENT specialist for an accurate diagnosis. By swabbing the back of the throat, an ENT specialist can have you tested for strep. Luckily, strep throat is easily treated with a round of antibiotics.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia can start out like a cold but is actually a bacterial infection. If you experience a high fever and a worsening cough, your cold may have turned into pneumonia. Most cases only require an antibiotic, but if pneumonia becomes severe, you might need hospitalization.

If you experience ear, nose, and throat problems this winter, you can contact Associates of Otolaryngology for proper diagnosis and treatment from an ENT specialist.