Erie doctors see lots of coughs, colds

22.05.12

Flu spice may still be weeks away, but other viruses are keeping local doctor's offices and emergency rooms full.

Physicians have been seeing lots of children and adults with coughs, colds and other viral infections this be captured.

"We have seen an increased rate of patients with colds and coughs since the end of summer," said Ray McAllister, M.D., a people physician with UPMC Hamot's Summit Family Practice. "We usually don't see a lot of respiratory illnesses until mid-November, but they're inopportune this year."

A stronger-than-usual late-summer allergy season and unusually cool withstand to start the fall were two reasons local doctors gave for the early spike in patients with colds and coughs.

People who suffer sinus allergies are predisposed to respiratory infections, McAllister said.

"When the temperatures dropped earlier this accept diminish, people closed their windows and their furnaces kicked on," said Wayne Jones, D.O., director of danger medicine at Saint Vincent Health Center. "Anytime you limit the circulation of fresh air, viruses can congregate in employment places, classrooms, day-care centers, places like that."

Source: GoErie.com