January 21, 2013

In this week’s What’s Going Around the focus is on sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Dr. William Tompkins of Blue Ridge Family Medicine says upper respiratory tract infections are going around. Symptoms include aches, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and sinus pressure.

Dr. Tompkins recommends a range of treatments depending on your symptoms. For aches take Tylenol, for a cough he suggests Mucinex, for a sore throat try lozenges and warm salt water gargles and for nasal congestion and sinus pressure take Sudafed if you don't have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Dr. Yates Sealander of Madison Family Medicine is seeing more patients with sinusitis. Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain and pressure, nasal discharge and sometimes a fever.

When it comes to treatment, Dr. Sealander suggests decongestants, good hand washing and staying hydrated.