First Aid Handbook

Have you ever had a cold that just wouldn’t go away and seemed to last for weeks? Or have you ever woken up with a throbbing headache in your forehead or under your eyes? If so, you may have been experiencing “sinusitis” or a sinus infection. The -itis ending on a word, particularly in a medical context, refers to an inflammation or infection of that area or body part.

If you’ve heard about measles in the news recently, you’ve heard correctly. In a press release dated March 8, 2019 The Texas Department of State Health confirmed 11 measles cases in Texas so far this year. Seven counties documented one case each and Harris County (Houston metro area) has recorded four. For reference, a total of nine cases were confirmed in Texas in all of 2018 and only one in 2017.

It’s that time of year – if you don’t have a cold or haven’t had one yet, it seems only a matter of time before you or your kids will have one. You probably know that colds are caused by a wide range of viruses, which is the main reason why we can’t ever seem to stop catching one. You may have also heard of a specific virus known as RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the specific viruses which causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Many people – both children and adults – experience sores or blisters in and around their mouth from time to time. Cold sores – also called fever blisters – are a common group of sores caused by the herpes simplex (HSV-1) virus. The tiny, fluid-filled blisters most frequently appear on or around the lips but may also occur inside the mouth or nose. They should not be confused with canker sores, which are not contagious.

Now that fall is here, it’s not uncommon to wake up one morning with that scratchy feeling in the back of your throat or find yourself having a sneezing attack at work. While many of us may experience seasonal allergies at this time of year, colds and upper respiratory infections may also be the cause of symptoms like these. The upper respiratory tract includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, throat, and larynx and an infection may occur in any or all of these passageways.

Ouch! Have you ever woken up with an excruciating pain in your big toe – literally? If this has every happened to you, it may be a symptom of a condition known as gout.

Fall officially begins with the autumnal equinox (this year on September 22), when even in Texas our thoughts turn to pumpkin spice [everything!], harvest festivals, scarecrows, sweaters, and [of course] football. While you may not think about flu season until the weather really starts to feel like fall, the best time to get your annual fall flu shot may be earlier than you think.