In Lansing, Dan Moore, certified physician assistant at Ingham Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates, a partner of Ingham Regional, is seeing more allergies.
Symptoms include: nasal stuffiness, headache, sinus congestion, wheezing, fatigue, and itchy, watery eyes.
To treat allergies, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. If that doesn't work, see a doctor for other treatment options.
Mr. Moore is also treating more cases of strep throat than usual.
Symptoms of strep include: sudden and severe sore throat and pain when swallowing.
You may also have a fever over 101 degrees and tender, swollen lymph nodes, as well as fatigue and headache.
Sometimes there are white or yellow patches on the tonsils and throat.
Children are particularly prone to symptoms including nausea and vomiting, and will sometimes develop a red rash over the body, known as Scarlet Fever.
Anyone with a sore throat and fever should see a doctor.
Strep throat is usually treated with antibiotics.
At home, you can take Motrin or Tylenol for fever and pain, and gargle with warm salt water.
It's also important to get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids.
Strep usually runs its course in three to seven days.
A sore throat caused by a virus can be just as painful as strep, but if you have cold symptoms like coughing, sneezing or runny,stuffy nose, you probably don't have strep throat.