The winter is arguably one of the more scenic times of the year, in addition to being the busiest. What with all we have going on this time of year, there simply isn’t time to get sick. The good news? It’s nearly all preventable. So, here are the common winter ailments to be wary of.

Common Cold

Perhaps the most common winter ailment is the common cold. Some signs that you may have a cold is if you are suffering from sneezing, coughing, a stuffy nose, and a sore throat. A common cold will typically last two to three days, but the sickness may last longer, depending on the individual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get rest, drink fluids, and take over-the-counter medicine.

Flu

Another sickness you must be cautious of during the winter is the flu. The flu can spread easily because it’s viral infection, rather than a bacterial one. You may have the flu if you have symptoms like a high fever, headache, exhaustion, coughing, fatigue, and more. The best way to avoid the flu is to be preventative and get the flu shot.

Bronchitis

Excessive coughing can also lead to bronchitis, which occurs in the lungs. Two different types of bronchitis you can suffer from include chronic and acute. Seek medical attention if you notice coughing with mucus, a fever, shortness of breath, a wheezing sound when you breathe, or low energy.

Strep Throat

During the winter months, you may also feel pain in your throat. While you could just have a sore throat, which is a symptom of the common cold, it may be more serious. Strep throat can be identified by the red tonsils with white spots that you’ll develop. The pain may be more persistent for a longer period, too.

Pneumonia

An insidious illness that wanders in the winter is pneumonia. Like bronchitis, pneumonia occurs in the lungs and will cause excessive coughing. While they have similar symptoms, pneumonia can be more serious, which is why visiting a doctor as soon as possible is essential.