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How to tell if you have an allergy, bacteria or a cold.
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Do you have an Allergy, Bacteria, or Virus?
It’s that time of year again…
• Are you stuffy?• Do you have a runny
nose?• Are you sneezing?• Do you have a sore
throat?• Before you call for
help…
What do Antibiotics Help?
• An Allergy? Rarely helpful.
• A Bacteria? Usually helpful.
• A Virus? Rarely helpful.
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Antibiotics help
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Antihistamines & Decongestants
Coined ‘Over the
Counter’ medicine (OTC) • Usually help relieve
Allergy symptoms.• Rarely adequate to
relieve Bacteria symptoms.
• Sometimes help relieve Virus symptoms.
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OTC
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Let’s Discuss
What makes something:
• An Allergy,
• A Bacteria,
• A Virus
Mild Sinusitis
• Mild Sinusitis is usually an Allergy.
• Can be a Virus; hay fever.
• Rarely a Bacteria.
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Mild Sinusitis
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Do You Have a Headache?
• Headaches are usually caused by a Virus.
• Can be a Bacteria. • Rarely an Allergy.
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1st Qtr
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Are Your Muscles Aching?
• Lower back pain, sinus cavity pain, usually a Virus.
• Sometimes Bacteria.• Rarely an Allergy.
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Muscles Ache
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Do You Have Hay Fever?
• Seasonal runny nose, achy, watery eyes, a Virus.
• Sometimes an Allergy.• Rarely a Bacteria.
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Hay Fever
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Are You Dizzy?
• Usually a Virus .• Sometimes an Allergy.• Occasionally a
Bacteria.
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Dizzy
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Are You Hoarse?
• If you are Hoarse, you might have an Allergy or Virus.
• Rarely a Bacteria.
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Hoarse
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Do you have a Runny Nose
• An Allergy or Virus causes a runny nose
• Rarely a Bacteria.
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Runny nose
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Are You Coughing?
• A Virus is a dry cough.
• Bacteria is a wet smelly cough with discharge.
• Allergies rarely cause coughing.
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Coughing
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Quick Tip
• If what you blow out or cough up is clear, you have an allergy.
• If it is smelly, rusty red, green or yellow you have a bacteria.
Remember
• Antibiotics are used to treat Bacteria.
• Antibiotics do not help an Allergy or Virus.
Special Note:
• Complaints lasting for more than 2 weeks need medical review.
• Follow warning labels on antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.
Acute Sinusitis
• Sinusitis with a cold can cause wheezing and lethargy.
• It requires medical attention and sometimes antibiotics.
Have an Earache?
• Earaches are usually caused by a Bacteria.
• Rarely caused by an Allergy or Virus.
• Go see your doctor if you have an Earache!
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Ear Ache
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Do You have A Fever?
• Fevers can be caused by a Bacteria or Virus.
• Rarely will an Allergy cause a fever.
• Running a high fever? Consult your doctor.
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Fever
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Remember
If you are wheezing,
lethargic, have a high
fever, an earache, foul
smelling sputum, or a
sore throat with swollen
glands you might have a
Bacteria and need to
consult your doctor!
The Sum Up
• Allergy? Sometimes requires medical attention.
• Bacteria? Usually requires medical attention.
• Virus? Seldom requires medical attention.
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Doctor Needed
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