The change from warm summer weather to cooler fall weather can be jarring. Not only are the days shorter, but the temperature and weather patterns change drastically. In addition to this, fall marks the start of the school season. We tend to see a spike in illness cases in the fall, but is this trend caused by the change in the weather? While weather can impact your health in certain ways, illnesses are caused by pathogens like viruses and bacteria, not weather patterns. Keep reading to learn more about why illnesses spike during the fall season.
If you’re feeling under the weather, AFC Urgent Care Waltham is available 7 days a week to provide your family with same-day illness care. We never require that you schedule an appointment to receive prompt illness diagnosis and treatment services, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
Why Do Illness Cases Increase During the Fall?
Although illnesses never just go away for part of the year, you may notice that certain seasons result in more illness cases. A common misconception is that the pathogens that cause illnesses during the colder seasons die off in the summer. In reality, this is not true. However, weather does play a role in seasonal illness trends. This is because of two major factors. Firstly, changes in weather can cause stress to our bodies which can weaken our immune system. It can also lead to symptoms like runny noses and itchy eyes which can be confused for illness symptoms. Instead, it is our behavior that changes from season to season. While we spend more time being active outdoors during the summer time, we tend to spend the majority of our time in the colder months indoors. Being indoors can cause illnesses to spread more easily from person to person because many common pathogens can spread in the air, live on surfaces, or be transferred through direct contact with others. Simply put - the colder months see more illness cases because we put ourselves in more positions to pick up an illness.
Common Fall Illnesses
Although illness-causing pathogens don’t simply die off in the warmer months and then reappear in the fall, there certainly are patterns for illnesses. The back-to-school season plays a large role in these trends. Illnesses spread faster in the classroom and on college campuses than in other places because of the close contact students have with others both in and out of the classroom. Sound children can also pick up illnesses easily due to their lack of general hygiene practices. These illnesses can then spread to their families.
Common fall illnesses to be aware of this fall include:
- Colds
- The flu
- Strep throat
- Mono
- Pink eye
- Stomach Bug (norovirus)
Fall Illness Diagnosis & Treatment near Waltham, MA
Self-diagnosing an illness can be difficult. Some illnesses will start off mild, but continue to progress over time which can allow them to worsen. It is important to seek medical care if you are feeling sick to get a medical diagnosis. Some common fall illnesses can resolve on their own, but illnesses caused by bacteria often require medical treatment.
When you visit urgent care for illness care, your medical provider will be able to evaluate your symptoms and determine the best course of action to provide symptom relief. Diagnostic testing may be necessary in order to confirm their diagnosis or rule out more severe illnesses. Ignoring your symptoms or delaying care can result in your symptoms worsening over time and a longer recovery time, while early treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening and make you more comfortable while your body heals.
Walk Into AFC Waltham for Same-Day Illness Care in Waltham, MA
At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our board-certified medical providers are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of common fall illnesses. Our clinic has its own on-site laboratory, allowing us to perform diagnostic testing for a more accurate diagnosis. We value your time, which is why our clinic accepts walk-in patients from Waltham, MA, and any of the surrounding communities with no appointment required. We are open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm and accept most medical insurance plans. Walk into the clinic today for same-day illness care for the whole family!
