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Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, beloved voice of hockey in US, retires

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Their view: Help area children avoid food insecurity

Virus season is upon us in the United States, and this year, having a little extra information about the microscopic troublemakers that make us sick can help you stay healthy and make good decisions when seeking care.
				Flu season typically begins in October and can hang around as late as May with a peak occurring some time between December and February, and it is often compounded by the spread of the common cold over the same period of months. Making this season even more complex, the novel coronavirus pandemic is still a major concern, with cases of COVID-19 infection on the rise in many countries throughout the world, including the U.S.; and as you&rsquo;ll see, the symptoms and signs of a cold, influenza and Covid-19 overlap a good deal.
				Each of these infectious diseases is caused by a virus &mdash; in the case of the common cold several viruses &mdash; which reside in the respiratory tract of the infected. That&rsquo;s good news, because we can slow the spread of all three with the same precautions. More to come on that in a moment.
				Symptoms of the common cold come on gradually and are generally milder than symptoms of the flu. Cold symptoms include:
				&#8226; Cough
				&#8226; Runny nose
				&#8226; Sneezing
				&#8226; Sore throat
				&#8226; Stuffy nose
				&#8226; Mild fever (more common in children)
				These symptoms usually last for about a week, and you&rsquo;re contagious for the first few days. Stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids.
				Antibiotics won&rsquo;t help the common cold, but over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms. If symptoms last beyond a week, call your primary care physician.
				Flu symptoms can come on quickly and are often severe. Among the common symptoms are:
				&#8226; Aches
				&#8226; Chills
				&#8226; Chest discomfort/cough
				&#8226; Extreme tiredness/fatigue
				&#8226; Headache
				&#8226; High fever
				&#8226; Sometimes nausea and diarrhea
				Symptoms can improve over the course of a few days, but it can take up to two weeks for patients to feel like themselves again. Again, you&rsquo;ll be contagious for a few days, so staying home and getting rest are vital to your health and the health of others.
				As with the cold, antibiotics won&rsquo;t cure the flu, but staying hydrated and using over-the-counter medication can help alleviate symptoms.
				Influenza can lead to more serious respiratory infection, like pneumonia, especially among those who are young, old or have other health conditions like cardiovascular disease or pulmonary issues. In those populations, it&rsquo;s important to monitor symptoms closely, and reach out to a healthcare provider if they become severe. Your doctor can prescribe an antiviral medication, which can quicken recovery and prevent serious complication.
				This year, it&rsquo;s important to get your flu shot, because you&rsquo;ll have a better chance of not getting the flu, and it can reduce stress on hospitals and health systems if both the flu and COVID-19 surge at the same time.
				COVID-19, like the flu, is a respiratory illness that can lead to severe infection, but there is currently no vaccine, and we know less about the virus because of how new it is. Symptoms can include:
				&#8226; Fever or chills
				&#8226; Cough
				&#8226; Shortness of breath
				&#8226; Fatigue
				&#8226; Muscle or body aches
				&#8226; Headache
				&#8226; New loss of taste or smell
				&#8226; Sore throat
				&#8226; Congestion or runny nose
				&#8226; Nausea or vomiting
				&#8226; Diarrhea 
				If you experience any of these symptoms, stay home. If you must be around others, wear a mask and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly. Following these recommendations and maintaining as much physical distance as possible will help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and keep the vulnerable safer.
				And guess what? These same measures can keep the spread of the flu and common cold to a minimum as well. How&rsquo;s that for three viral birds with one stone?
				As you navigate this virus season, Geisinger is trying to help you get the right care in the right place. If your cold or flu symptoms warrant more than bed rest, head to one of our Convenient Care locations, which we are dedicating to treating cold and flu symptoms this season.
				If you think you may have COVID-19, call your primary care physician or our COVID-19 hotline at 570-284-3657 to learn more about symptoms or how to get tested.

Virus season 101