Influenza

Symptoms- Also called the flu, influenza brings on symptoms such as a fever, chills, cough, body aches and headaches.

What is it?- Influenza is a virus which means that you just have to wait it out. Lasting one to two weeks, influenza is transferred from person to person by tiny droplets that spray from a person’s mouth when talking, eating etc.

How to get better- By getting a flu vaccine earlier in the year (usually sometime in the fall), getting better will be faster and easier. By resting, drinking lots of fluids and take over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Dayquil or Sudafed.

Mononucleosis

Symptoms- Having “mono” for months without symptoms is very common. When the symptoms do hit though they hit hard. A fever, sore throat, headache, sore muscles, enlarged lymph nodes and extreme tiredness are all major symptoms.

What is it?- Commonly known as the “kissing disease,” mono is a herpes virus that is transferred through saliva. Kissing, sharing drinks, even pillows can transfer the disease.

How to get better- Since your spleen is enlarged, no rough physical contact is recommended, and plenty of rest is almost mandatory. Drinking lots of fluids and taking pain medication helps keep your symptoms under control. After a few weeks to a couple months, you will start feeling better, but you are still contagious.

Strep Throat

Symptoms- Within five days of being around someone with strep throat, your throat will get scratchy and sore, possibly accompanied by a headache.

What is it?- Strep throat is an egg shaped bacteria disease that cause 15% to 20% of all sore throats.

How to get better- Usually your doctor will give you an antibiotic, most likely penicillin. After 24 hours you will feel better, but the disease will not be gone for ten days. Drinking soothing liquids and avoiding citrusy or acidic drinks also helps.

Common Cold

Symptoms- You usually know when you have a cold because you feel tired, you’re congested, you have a fever, the chills and sneezes, an itchy throat and a low grade temperature.

What is it?- An infection in your upper respiratory system, the common cold has over 200 viruses that make you sick, which is why there is no vaccine. By touching anything with the cold virus on it and then touching your eyes or nose, you’re transferring the virus to yourself. The virus docks on the little hairs inside your nose and takes over your nose by creating more of the virus, lining your nose.

How to get better- Decongestants and antihistamines work the best for the cold, but some other ways to help your suffering is rest, drink hot liquids and blow your nose.

Sinusitis

Symptoms- At first you may think you just have a cold, but after a week you start to wonder otherwise. You know you have all the symptoms, but also have bad breath and a pressurized head.

What is it?- Sinusitis is where your sinus cavities get blocked, and mucus gets stuck in your cavities.

How to get better- An antibiotic prescribed by your doctor will help if it’s just a bacterial infection, but if it’s viral, you’ll have to wait it out. A decongestant or nasal spray will whelp reduce the pain and pressure though.