Understanding what illness you have is important in figuring out how to treat it, and how to get rid of it.

Garyl Hester of new York City thought he had a sinus infection when he went to the doctor – but he had it all wrong.

“I couldn’t get rid of it, I couldn’t shake it,” said Hester, 48. “So (my doctor) tested me and found out I was allergic to dust mites, which I never knew before.”

Hester said he now has an air purifier in his house and he bought hypoallergenic sheets – and his headache is gone.

New York-based allergist Dr. Jonathan Field said most patients get confused and often do not know what kind of medical condition they are dealing with.

“If they have a fever, if the headache tends to be more extreme or if they lost their sense of smell, then it sounds to me like a sinus infection,” Field said.

If you are prone to sinus infections, try an irrigation rinse to prevent them or get tested for allergies.

Field said colds and sinus infections are often triggered by indoor allergies, such as dust, mold and pet dander.

“Colds tend to be mild, and you have typical symptoms like a running nose, itchy eyes – a little bit of a sore throat and mild muscle aches, but generally you feel well,” Field said.

Cold symptoms should not last longer than a week, he added. Taking zinc at the onset of a cold can decrease the duration of the illness and severity of symptoms.  

However, the flu is much worse – symptoms are more pronounced in terms of muscle aches and fatigue, and you will definitely have a fever.

The onset of the flu is very sudden, Field added.

Prescribed medication is the only cure for influenza, which can be deadly. up to 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza, so if you think you may have it, see a doctor immediately. A flu shot is the best prevention.                      

Appleton man’s battle with dyspraxia

2:00pm Saturday 12th November 2011

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THIS week is Dyspraxia Awareness Week.

Jonathan Levy, a 20-year-old living in Appleton, whose interests include football, politics and showbiz, has a mild form of the condition. This is his story…

“I HAVE a mild form of dyspraxia, a neurological condition which can make even the simplest tasks a struggle.

“Dyspraxia is thought to affect up to 10 per cent of the population and can run in families. Males are three times more likely to be affected than females.

“I’ve always been slower than most in reaching milestones such as learning to ride a bike.

“Upon reaching school age I avoided games, was unable to tie my shoelaces and stood out with my ‘chicken scratch’ handwriting.

“English and foreign languages were two of my strongest subjects but I struggled greatly with maths, science and anything practical.

“I got through GCSE maths with a D but despite private tuition and resits was unable to advance to a C. I still vow that one day I will.

“I enjoy socialising and have good friends but many people with dyspraxia have poor social skills and struggle to keep up with their peers.

“Teenage life can be particularly challenging as the high school language and chatter is often fast, witty and difficult to keep up with.

“This can be the time when friends desert you and bullying may creep in, as it becomes obvious that you are different.

“With awareness in autism and dyslexia increasing, I describe dyspraxia as the ‘forgotten cousin’.

“Dyspraxia overlaps with both conditions due to the implications it has for skills like reading and writing. Dyspraxia though, has its own symptoms.

“Children often encounter late development in motor skills like standing and walking then later, difficulties in running and catching a ball. I certainly encountered these difficulties.

“Adults may experience communication and motor difficulties such as learning to drive but, as with many medical conditions, it can affect different people in different ways.

“There is no known cause of dyspraxia nor is there a cure but when facing challenges such as following oral instructions or using office equipment I tell myself that I will succeed, I’ll just have to work much harder.

“My condition hasn’t stopped from me succeeding in exams and entering employment so I’m proud of what I can do and never talk myself down. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is probably the most famous dyspraxic.”

l Dyspraxia Awareness Week runs until Saturday. If you think you or your child may have dyspraxia, visit dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

In a warning to residents, health officials Wednesday reported a mysterious doubling in the number of rabies-infected bats found in the county so far this year.

County Department of Public Health officials said the “unusually high number” of rabid bats could pose a threat to people and pets who come into contact with the creatures.

So far this year, 21 rabid bats have been found in the county. by comparison in an average year, about 10 rabid bats are found, officials said.

The reason for the increase was unclear, said Director of Public Health Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding.

“Regardless, it is important that all county residents understand the potential dangers posed to themselves and their pets as most of these rabid bats have been found in and around homes,” he said.

Anyone who sees a sick animals is asked to report it to a local animal control agency.

One person, who was attempting to rehabilitate a sick bat, was bitten by the animal, which then tested positive for rabies. That person was quickly treated for rabies exposure, officials said.

Rabies is a viral illness that affects the central nervous system, leading to brain disease and death, authorities said. Symptoms include fever, weakness, anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis and increased saliva.

Rabies is transmitted through the bite or saliva of an infected animal.

Pets that are bitten by a rabies-infected animal may have to be euthanized or or quarantined for six months, Fielding said.

If bitten by a wild animal, people should contact a doctor immediately.

If a bat is found in a yard or public place, put a box or container over it and call local animal control officials. if a bat is found in a home and may have had access to pets or places where people were sleeping, it should not be released outside. again, cover it with a container and call animal control officials.

If a pet is found with a bat or another wild animal other than rodents, rabbits or squirrels, call 213-989-7060.

For more information, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm.

brian.day@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, ext. 3028