4 Winter Illnesses You’d Rather Avoid
Know What to Look For Before They Attack
Achoo! That’s the last noise you want to hear this winter. Cold weather brings a slew of sicknesses, so be vigilant to treat these common illnesses, or better yet, avoid them altogether. The Common Cold Although there is no cure, a cold is easier to treat than other illnesses. If you or a loved one has a runny nose, low-grade fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat, the common cold has most likely taken hold. With the help of rest and perhaps some cold medicine, like cough drops and decongestants, the cold will come and go in about a week. Bronchiolitis Bronchiolitis appears most commonly in children less than a year old and is caused by other viruses. Of the many symptoms — nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, and coughing — wheezing is the one you should be most concerned about. If your child is having difficulty breathing and is dehydrated, they may have caught a more serious strain of the virus. Most children will recover with at-home rest, but some may need to be hospitalized for more severe symptoms. Influenza The flu is known for causing high fever, muscle aches and pains, nausea, and other symptoms similar to a cold. Often, the fever Cole was sure he was destined to become an engineer. But, he soon found that he was lacking a passion for it, and the former football and baseball athlete’s attention turned to physical therapy. In 2016, Jeremy graduated with his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso. Now, he and his brother, Joe Cole, work together at Fyzical Therapy Balance and Hand Centers, and Jeremy has been with our clinic for nearly two years. The close relationship he has with his brother is now magnified, Jeremy said, as they often bounce ideas off each other. Since making the switch to physical therapy, Jeremy has never looked back, and he’s developed a passion for orthopedics and pediatric physical therapy. Jeremy hopes to someday participate in a manual physical therapy fellowship, which involves learning hand and nonaggressive movements. He’s inspired and motivated by other therapists at Fyzical, saying that he’s enjoyed hearing about what they have learned during their fellowships. After graduating from El Paso’s Parkland High School in 2010, Jeremy
will last for around five days, but it can be shortened with the aid of antiviral medications. However, these medications
are recommended only for children who face serious complications or
hospitalization from the flu. If you want to avoid catching this, your best bet is to receive the annual flu vaccine.
Strep Throat A sore throat, headache, stomach ache, vomiting, and high fever are signs of strep. This infection is treated with antibiotics and should be addressed soon after the first symptoms appear to prevent further complications. Children with strep throat should stay away from school and other activities until they’ve been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Everyone knows that getting sick is no fun and is best avoided at all costs. However, it happens to everyone eventually. Catching a virus or infection in its early stages can help you shake the sickness much faster.
Meet Jeremy Cole!
Our Dedicated Physical Therapist
But while his coworkers are motivated, there’s another part of the job that fuels Jeremy’s passion. “Just being able to interact with the patients — that’s something that I’ve always enjoyed,” Jeremy says. “I talk to them, get to know them, and see them progress.” Certain patients leave an impression on physical therapists, and for Jeremy, it was a woman who came into our clinic after getting a full knee replacement. Unlike others who need to return to normal strength, this woman needed more, as she was the primary caregiver for her wheelchair-bound husband. Helping this patient heal meant Jeremy was also helping her husband live a full life, and he enjoyed being able to get her to that point. When he isn’t helping his patients, Jeremy can be found enjoying the outdoors, playing or watching sports, playing video games, and working out. We’re glad that Jeremy chose physical therapy, and we’re excited to see where his passion takes him. Thanks for all your hard work, Jeremy!
2 • fyzicalelpaso.com
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