{"id":2840,"date":"2022-11-04T15:42:06","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T20:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/health\/?p=2840"},"modified":"2022-11-04T15:42:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T20:42:32","slug":"november-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/health\/updates\/november-7","title":{"rendered":"Update for Week of November 7, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health Services Update<\/b><\/h4>\n

Upper respiratory infections are common this time of year. Often this is associated with sore throat pain such as scratchiness or irritation. Most of the time it is caused by a viral infection such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19. Viral infections will resolve on their own. Strep throat is a less common type of sore throat that is caused by a bacteria and requires treatment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include nasal congestion, sinus pressure, cough, and fatigue. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and thus will not help with this problem at all. Your immune system is very good at eliminating this kind of infection and should be able to clear it in 5-7 days, although the cough will sometimes last longer (up to two weeks). The treatment for a viral upper respiratory infection is symptomatic, meaning medicines or treatments to help alleviate the symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supportive treatment includes fluids and rest. Nasal salt water irrigation or Neti Pot can be helpful. Pain relieving medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve a fever, achiness, or sore throat. Salt water gargle can also help with sore throat. You can make a salt water gargle by adding \u00bd teaspoon of table salt to 8 oz of warm water.<\/span><\/p>\n

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COVID-19 Updates<\/b><\/p>\n

New COVID-19 cases, week of 10\/23\/22-10\/29\/22: 10<\/span><\/p>\n