JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – From the minute doors open to the moment they close, doctors at all our local care spots say they've been swamped with patients sick with the same contagious virus they saw last week.
For the second week in a row, appointments at our local care spots have been completely booked, everyday as soon as they open. That contagious virus includes symptoms similar to the flu- from body aches, to a fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you come down with it, these urgent care centers are still taking walk-in's but making that appointment just helps to minimize your wait time.
If you can't make it to the doctor, there are some home remedies that can ease your misery when you're sick. One of those remedies- chicken soup. It's not a cure, but research published in the journal Chest found it can reduce symptoms of upper respiratory infections. A study in pediatrics found 10 grams of honey at bedtime reduced the severity of cold symptoms in kids. An article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed gargling salt water may ease sore throat and nasal congestion. Also, Ball State researchers found volunteers with severe colds who exercised lightly for 30 minutes a day felt better in the afternoon and evening that those who simply rested.
What about pills? Antibiotics won't work! They attack bacteria and do nothing for a cold virus.
The saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" is just an old wives' tale. Good nutrition is important any time you're sick. Also there's no proof that treatments labeled "homeopathic" are effective, and the jury's still out for remedies like Vitamins C, Zinc, and Echinachea which have all shown mixed results.