How to cope with winter illness

updated January 2, 2025

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

This information is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider to decide what is right for you.

What are the symptoms of winter illnesses?

Chances are you or someone close to you will have a respiratory illness this winter, illnesses we frequently lump into the category of “colds and flu”. This usually means illnesses with some combination of these symptoms-

Sneezing, stuffy or runny nose,
coughing
sore throat, hoarseness
ear pain, fullness
fever,
body aches, fatigue,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
headache.

We call these by various names but they have much in common, including symptoms and treatment. Let’s talk about what you can do to cope when they hit your family.

diagram of the nose and sinuses — Winter illnesses commonly affect the nose, throat, sinuses, ears and lungs.

Don’t panic.

Most otherwise healthy people recover from common respiratory illnesses. You may be miserable for several days and need several weeks to feel back to normal, but you won’t suffer any permanent harm.

Fever , especially in children, alarms parents. Don’t ignore it but don’t panic either.

Reading this post should help you keep calm about fever .

a woman taking her temperature — This photograph depicted a woman who was using a modern, battery-powered oral thermometer, in order to measure her body temperature. In order to return an accurate reading, this particular type of thermometer needed to be placed beneath the user’s tongue, for a set amount of time, beeping when the ambient, sublingual temperature was reached. Photo credit-James Gathany, CDC, public domain

Some people are at risk of developing severe symptoms and serious complications from respiratory illnesses, so seek medical help sooner, rather than later. These include

Infants, especially under one month old
Elderly, now a relative term, advanced age, especially combined with chronic disease
Those with chronic lung disease, like asthma, COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis
People on drugs that suppress the immune system
Other chronic diseases – diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, cancer

If you are not sure if you fit into one of these categories, ask your doctor.

Check here for tips on the difference between a cold (acute rhino-sinusitis) and flu (influenza)

rhinoceros — “Rhino” obviously means NOSE.

What you need to know about influenza.

Stay home.

This is when you shouldn’t share—germs, that is. These illnesses spread from person to person, so minimize contact.

Keep your kids home from school and stay home from work, at least the first few days, when you are the most contagious. Avoid crowds and public gatherings when there is widespread illness in your community.

Resting, getting extra sleep, drinking fluids, and staying warm and dry make staying at home therapeutic.

Wash hands.

Speaking of person-to-person contact, the best way to avoid getting or giving germs is to wash your hands often, but especially after being with others , using a restroom, and before cooking or eating. Cleaning household surfaces helps too, as well as clothing and linens.

Hand hygiene saves lives. — a common sight now in public restrooms

Use medication wisely.

Some of these illnesses have a specific medication that clear it faster- strep throat, influenza, pneumonia. The others will “run their course” and meds are used to help relieve symptoms.

Many people assume that any illness with fever, sore throat, and cough will improve with an antibiotic. The fact is, most will not. Antibiotics only treat infections caused by bacteria, and most of these are caused by viruses. To learn more read about

How flu and COVID-19 are different

How to navigate the antibiotic highway

These illnesses cause the greatest overuse of antibiotics, contribute to the cost of health care, and the development of antibiotic resistance. Please do not insist on an antibiotic if the doctor says you don’t need it; if offered an antibiotic, ask why.

Does nasal drainage and congestion need treatment with an antibiotic?

Maybe not. Learn how to sort out sinusitis.

WebMD offers this advice on choosing non-prescription cold remedies

Be patient

The “24-hour virus” is for the most part a myth. Expect to be ill anywhere from 3 to 10 days; some symptoms, especially cough, can linger for weeks. If you are a smoker, this is a great time to quit.

But if after 7-10 days you are getting progressively worse, instead of better, something more may be going on, so it’s wise to seek professional medical help.

exploring the HEART of winter illness

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Dr. Aletha

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.