Physician Assistant Dan Moore at McLaren Greater Lansing Internal Medicine is treating upper respiratory infections this week.

They are usually contagious.

Symptoms are: nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes, fatigue and headache. Occasionally there will be a fever, but mostly in children.

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain. You can also try over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and cough medicines.

You may want to use a vaporizer or humidifier to help with congestion.

Viral upper respiratory infections usually last a week or two.

See a doctor if you have a high fever, pain in the face or upper teeth, if symptoms last longer than a week, or if they get worse over the first five to seven days.