Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With it now being the season where it’s easier to get sick, especially with the flu, it can be hard at times to get through those illnesses and can also be hard as well to know for sure if you have the FLU, or RSV, or another viral infection.

While it’s never a bad idea go to the urgent care or your regular family doctor, there are some ways to treat sickness at home as well.

Memorial Health‘s Dr. Anna Richie, spoke on the WTAX Morning Newswatch about some of the differences and similarities that the Influenza (Flu) virus has in common with other viruses.

During her interview, Dr. Richie stated “So, a lot of times you’re feeling fine and then your like ‘Woah! My back hurts and my head hurts. I think I’m sick!’ Covid can present like that, but it also can present like a sinus infection or cold. a lot of the other viruses, are more along the lines of cold-like symptoms that can get worse and develop into other things too like pneumonia. Influenza is more of that kind of abrupt kind of onset.”

That helps identify if we have the flu, but other common questions many people ask are how long will I be sick? How do I treat this virus or illness. Dr. Richie answered those questions as well.

“On day seven, you should start feeling better. When we talk about sinus infections or colds, most of these, like ninety five percent are viral. So, we wouldn’t be able to do anything in those first seven days at all,” said Dr. Richie. “We really recommend a lot of nasal sprays, saltwater sprays, Afrin, or steroid nose sprays and over the counter medications. If by day seven, you’re not getting better and are getting worse, then we can talk about maybe antibiotics. Usually by day 10 those viruses should really start improving”

If you make it past day ten of being sick with any virus, with no improvement, it would be a good idea to return to your physician for them to take a deeper look so they can make sure your illness didn’t turn into something worse or to get a prescription for antibiotics that may be a better relief for those symptoms.