Common Fall Illnesses and How to Treat Them

“Achoo!” 

That’s a sound you start hearing more often in the fall, but how do you protect yourself and your family from illness during the cooler seasons?

Sneezing and coughing unleash unseen airborne droplets carrying germs and viruses that can land on you or the surfaces you touch. These droplets spread the risk of colds, flu, COVID-19, RSV, bronchitis, strep and other respiratory ailments.  

As the weather changes, pollen also spikes and illnesses can flare up. Also, with children back in school, it’s time to be wary of symptoms that might indicate that an illness is present.

While some germs are spread through the air, others are transmitted through other means, such as contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals. Practicing good hygiene, like washing your hands regularly, is crucial for preventing the transmission of germs.

“You must prepare to avoid getting sick this fall,” says Dr. Megha Singh, MD, family medicine physician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group (MHMG) Rosenberg. “And that starts with the basics: getting adequate nutrition and sleep as well as drinking plenty of fluids to boost the immune system. Vaccines also improve immunity, and frequent handwashing and not sharing drinks are important.” 

With so many illnesses lurking, Dr. Singh guides you on avoiding colds, flu, allergies and other ailments which can occur in the fall.

Allergies

WHAT: Allergies are a reaction of your immune system to certain allergens or foreign substances, such as pollen, dust or pet dander.

CAUSES: Ragweed and mold spores are the biggest allergy triggers in the fall. And dust mites of humid summer months can get stirred into the air again when you turn on your heat the first time in the fall. 

SYMPTOMS: The possibilities are broad: watery and itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sore sinuses and throat, sneezing, postnasal drainage, temporary loss of smell, snoring, headache and fatigue. “Allergies are common, but they aren’t a virus or bacterial infection, so you won’t have fever,” Dr. Singh says.

PREVENTION: Keep your home and car windows closed if you’re prone to allergies. Search online to check daily pollen counts and consider showering after spending time outside. Considering steering clear of large crowds and wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often. 

TREATMENT: Consider speaking to your doctor about certain medication options available in pill form and nasal sprays to manage symptoms. Antihistamine pills can be over the counter (Zyrtec®, Allegra®) or prescribed (Singulair®) and taken at night. These can prevent lungs from constricting. Steroid nasal sprays work on inflammation and clear nasal passages.

“If symptoms are severe or year-round, we suggest allergen testing, because you may need shots specifically tailored to you,” Dr. Singh says. 

Sinusitis

WHAT: Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, arises when nasal passages become infected and tissues lining your sinuses get inflamed. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in your skull, normally filled with air, that connect your nose and respiratory system. When these spaces become blocked by fluid, the pressure can cause pain in your face and a runny nose.

CAUSES: Irritants in the air, asthma, allergies, viral infections (such as the common cold or flu) and bacterial infections are culprits that worsen in cold weather.

SYMPTOMS: Feeling congested, having thick, discolored nasal drainage and tenderness under the eyes or around the bridge of the nose can signal possible sinusitis. You may experience fever, postnasal drip and headaches.

PREVENTION: Keep your nasal secretions thin by drinking plenty of fluids. Keep the nose moist with nasal saline sprays. Avoid air travel, which can dry out nasal passages. 

TREATMENT: You can use a humidifier and sprays to ease congestion, “but if it persists for a week, you should be evaluated by your primary care physician,” Dr.  Singh says. “To clear up persistent and bacterial causes, we generally recommend a course of antibiotics.” Taking antibiotics for three to four days should start to improve symptoms and help you to sleep better—but take the full course prescribed.

“If you’re getting frequent flare up of your allergies or frequent sinus infections, you may have to see an ear, nose and throat specialist,” she says. “They can determine whether you have a deviated septum or anatomical abnormality that’s causing the recurrent infection.” Such a displacement of nasal air passages can hinder or block breathing on one side of the nose.

Common Cold

WHAT: The common cold can affect anyone at any time, but fall is the peak season. It’s a communicable illness that spreads from person to person and can last from a few days to a few weeks.

CAUSES: A variety of viruses can cause colds.

SYMPTOMS: Like sinusitis, symptoms also may include low-grade fever, body aches, worsening cough and sore throat.

PREVENTION: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Keep your stress levels low, eat a balanced diet and sleep well. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Avoid spending time in crowded places and wear a mask in enclosed spaces.

TREATMENT: Drink plenty of water and eat balanced meals rich in fruit and vegetables. Over-the-counter lozenges, cough medication and expectorants can help, as can deep breathing exercises at home. Colds will resolve on their own, generally 7-10 days. If symptoms persist or worsen, you may have more than a cold. Visit your doctor to get tested for other causes such as strep throat, influenza and COVID-19.

Flu, COVID-19, RSV

WHAT: Flu, COVID-19 and RSV are respiratory viruses that affect your respiratory system. 

CAUSES: These are viruses. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2. “It usually spreads between people who are in close contact,” Dr. Singh says. “The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released when someone breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. Those droplets can land in the mouth or nose of someone nearby or be inhaled.” 

SYMPTOMS: Flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) have similar symptoms, such as coughing, fever, body aches, weariness, runny or stuffy nose, shortness of breath and headaches. Common in the fall, flu can cause high fevers of 104 or even 105 degrees. As a more severe respiratory ailment, COVID-19 can have serious effects on the body outside the lungs, including long-term symptoms such as brain fog. COVID-19 and flu also can involve losing your sense of smell and taste. RSV is a virus that most children get by age 2, though it can affect people of any age. A unique RSV symptom is wheezing, when breathing sounds like a whistle or rattle. Respiratory viruses in general also can have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

PREVENTION: While there is a common misconception that vaccines prevent an illness from occurring, they are available and effective in helping to prevent severe symptoms from flu, RSV and COVID-19. Beyond that, “teach your kids to wash their hands thoroughly before every meal and avoid being in close spaces to other kids with cold like symptoms,” Dr. Singh says. “Also get plenty of rest and adequate nutrition and water intake.”

TREATMENT: “Many people with COVID-19 may have mild illness,” Dr. Singh says. “And a few medicines have been approved to treat COVID-19. These antiviral medications work best if given within the first five days of symptoms, so seek a health care provider’s evaluation early.”  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved four antiviral medications for use against flu viruses: Rapivab, Relenza, Tamiflu® and Xofluza®. “Tamiflu is beneficial within 48 hours of symptoms,” Dr. Singh says. If left untreated, flu can become severe and turn into bronchitis or pneumonia.

RSV’s customarily mild, cold-like symptoms can go away on their own within two weeks, but during that time adults and children should get enough water and other fluids to stay hydrated. “Treatment is aimed at making the person feel better and the illness resolves without complications in most children. High-risk children may need monoclonal antibody injections.” 

If you’re unsure which of these viruses affect you, you may need to see your physician. And act fast if you suspect a family member has flu, Dr. Singh says. “It can take time for symptoms to show up, but you can get tested right away. It all comes down to seeing your doctor for testing.”

Strep 

WHAT: Strep, or strep throat, is a bacterial infection of the throat or tonsils which can cause fever, rash and a severely sore or scratchy throat.

CAUSES: This bacterial infection can be caused via exposure to other people who have strep throat. Such infections can come from airborne droplets in a sneeze or cough, sharing drinks or touching your face after touching a contaminated surface.

SYMPTOMS: The signs are plentiful: throat pain; painful swallowing; fever; rash; headaches; body aches; nausea or vomiting, particularly in young children; swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus; swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck; small red spots at the back of the roof of the mouth.

PREVENTION: No vaccine exists to prevent strep throat, but you can protect yourself by regularly washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and avoiding contact with persons who have strep throat.

TREATMENT: If strep goes untreated it can cause complications such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Though strep can affect people of all ages, it’s most common in children, for whom prompt testing and treatment are advised. “Strep can be treated with a course of antibiotics,” Dr. Singh says. “Consult your doctor.”

She adds that enlarged tonsils are worrisome, especially if symptoms recur. “If you have trouble breathing at night or snoring, or you get frequent infections, you may need evaluation by a specialist.”

Norovirus/Stomach Bugs

WHAT: Stomach and gut inflammation can be due to the norovirus, the most common cause of gastroenteritis, leading to vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. It is sometimes called the “winter vomiting disease,” and outbreaks erupt especially among persons in close quarters.

CAUSES: The norovirus is spread via contact with infected persons or exposure to contaminated water or food, especially seafood, whereby fecal particles enter a person’s mouth. “It is extremely contagious and remains in full swing from fall through winter,” Dr. Singh says.

SYMPTOMS: You may experience vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fatigue, muscle pain and sometimes loss of taste. Also possible are headaches, weariness and low-grade fevers.

PREVENTION: There is no vaccine for norovirus, “which is quick to spread,” Dr. Singh says. That can happen with kids in school who are not using clean restrooms. “You can see a whole classroom with the stomach bug, which tends to spread from close contact.” That can be in a classroom, on a cruise or at a concert. Cleanliness is vital, including disinfecting contaminated surfaces and washing hands properly, especially after using a restroom, she says.

TREATMENT: While unpleasant, norovirus is not dangerous, unless dehydration persists for a long time. It often clears up in a few days. During that period, it’s best to drink plenty of fluids without caffeine. “You also can take medications to help with your symptoms of nausea and diarrhea,” Dr. Singh says. “But if such symptoms persist, you may need to see your physician and provide a stool culture to determine the cause and see if you should treat it with antibiotics.”  

Acute Bronchitis

WHAT: Bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air into the lungs, and it’s usually caused by a virus. It can be a “sequel” to other respiratory illnesses, occurring after a common cold, sore throat or flu.

CAUSES: Viral infections such as flu, RSV, the coronavirus and the common cold, and exposure to irritants such as dust, air pollution, fumes, tobacco smoke and wildfire smoke all can lead to bronchitis.

SYMPTOMS: The chief symptom is a persistent cough that lasts one to three weeks.  

“We have small airways in our lungs that get inflamed, and phlegm builds up,” Dr. Singh says. “We feel congested and can’t cough it up. So, the cough lasts for several weeks as the body tries to clear up those irritants.” Other symptoms are chest tightness, congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath and body aches.

PREVENTION: Quit smoking and stay away from things that cause irritations to your throat and lungs, such as pets, fumes, vapors or dust, Dr. Singh says. Also, regularly disinfect doorknobs, countertops and other frequently touched surfaces. 

TREATMENT: Try breathing steam from a vaporizer or hot water. Pain relievers and over-the-counter cough suppressants also can help, as can getting additional rest and consuming ample fluids. But bronchitis may necessitate antibiotic treatment if symptoms persist. Caution is warranted because bronchitis can progress to pneumonia. 

Vitamin D Deficiency

WHAT: Not having enough vitamin D in your body can harm bones and muscles, inhibiting proper growth and strength. Vitamin D also is needed for mental health.

CAUSES: Quite simply, you’re not getting enough sunlight, which can occur starting in the fall.

SYMPTOMS: You may have trouble swallowing or experience hoarseness, body aches, congestion, swollen glands in the neck, loss of appetite, fatigue, tiredness, bone or back pain, hair loss, depression and slow healing of wounds. “Many symptoms, such as aches and hair loss, are common in daily life, so we might not realize they mean a vitamin D deficiency,” Dr. Singh says.

PREVENTION: Increase your sun exposure, she says, and add food to your diet that’s rich in nutrients, such as seafood, fatty fish and mushrooms. “Also, foods we think of for calcium and protein such as milk, cheese and eggs are good,” Dr. Singh says. “Anything you think is a good source of calcium is also a good source of vitamin D.”

TREATMENT: Check with your doctor to see if you need to start taking vitamin D supplements.