Valley Virus Spreads
Whether you’ve been hit with it or someone you work with has, chances are you’ve crossed paths with what’s traveling around the desert.
The infection has major symptoms of cough, congestion, fever, and sore throat.
“We’ve had a number of respiratory infections, and most of these are viral in nature,” Eisenhower Medical Center Medical Director Euthym Kontaxis said.
Doctor Kontaxis said this infection is viral, not bacterial. The bad news is it’s very contagious.
“My son is sick, and it’s sort of made its rounds through the family, and now it’s my turn,” Palm Desert resident Ferdinand Rose said.
The good news is that the virus is self limiting.
“It usually resolves itself within one to three days,” Kontaxis said.
However, some people say they’re still sick after a week.
“It’s supposed to be a 24-hour thing but this one had it for four or five days,” Palm Desert resident Reva Wolk said.
“We have had a few cases of some people who get laryngitis or some upper respiratory effect from it, and they’ll have a hoarse voice and they’re not feeling good for a few more days,” Kontaxis said. “Bronchospasm, which is that ongoing cough, and sometimes inhalers or a short course of steroids can help with that.”
Sick may not always mean medicine.
“Some people have secondary infections after they get sick from this, and they’ll require antibiotics, but most people don’t need antibiotics. Most people will just ride it out, and it’ll get better,” Kontaxis said. “Mostly, the average person just needs to stay home, cover their mouth, use good sanitation, and it should pass in a few days.”
“We have a lot of people in town. It’s a dense population. Viruses spread pretty quickly,” he added.
“I’m just letting it take its natural course and let my immune system do its work and hopefully I’ll knock it within a few days,” Rose said.
“It really is up to the people who have it to be careful not to spread it,” Kontaxis said.
Wash your hands all you want — but the power still lies in the hands of the beholder.
