Did You Know ?

MENINGITIS

You can protect yourself against certain kinds of meningitis.  There is a vaccine for meningitis caused by four of the types of bacteria that cause this severe illness.

DID YOU KNOW: 
The number of outbreaks of this type of meningitis on college campuses have been increasing over the last several years.

Research has shown that the following may increase your risk of infection as college students: 

• Passive/active smoking 
• Binge drinking 
• Bar patronage 
• Dormitory living 

If you are a University of Cincinnati student and would like further information or would like to be vaccinated, call our office at 513-556-2564(Scioto) or 513-584-4457 (Holmes).

For more information on meningococcal disease

ALLERGY SEASON
IS IT A COLD OR ALLERGY?

It’s that time of year again. It’s a fact: most people with allergies have more than one.  Year-round allergies can be harder to treat than others. Understanding your unique allergy profile and the allergens responsible can help you and your doctor select the treatment that works best for you.

Allergies can masquerade as colds and other illnesses and can be hard to diagnose without your doctor’s help. It’s important to be able to recognize the difference between allergy symptoms and the symptoms of other common respiratory tract illnesses.

Recognizing symptoms 

• Sneezing often accompanied by a runny or clogged nose
• Coughing and postnasal drip
• Itching eyes, nose, and throat
• Watery eyes
• Red, inflamed eyes

COMMON COLD OR ALLERGY?

SYMPTOM	COLD	ALLERGY
Sneezing	Yes	Yes
Stuffy or Runny Nose	Yes	Yes
Itchy Eyes	No	Yes
Fever	Yes	No
Sore Throat	Yes	No
Colored Nasal Drainage	Yes	No - clear drainage
Duration	One week	Certain seasons or year round

ALLERGIES OR ASTHMA

Some people with allergies develop asthma, or may have asthma before their allergies appear. Allergies are a related cause of asthma in as many as 25% to 35% of patients with asthma, and contribute to its development in about 30% mor patients.

The symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath due to a narrowing of the airways in the lungs and excess mucus production. Asthma can be disabling and sometimes can be fatal. If wheezing and shortness of breath accompany your allergy symptoms, it is a signal that you should seek further medical attention.

Allergies and Sinusitis
Sinusitis is swelling (inflammation) of the nasal sinuses (hollow cavities in the cheekbones located around and behind the nose) that can be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, or by an allergic reaction.

The same fluid that causes your runny nose can pool in your sinuses. This can lead to sinusitis by providing an excellent place for bacteria to grow. Sinusitis can cause headaches and other pain in your face. If you have yellow or greenish nasal drainage, inflammation or sinusitis is likely the culprit.

See your doctor if you suspect you have sinusitis. Antibiotics may be necessary to clear the infection.

CDC, NIOSH  - Asthma and Allergy