TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Fall can bring many changes such as leaf colors and cooler temperatures. However, these changes also bring the risk of sickness.

Like in the spring, fall temperatures can kick start many allergens which can lead to your body fighting back against certain bacteria.

“The body produces what we call histamine, which helps it fight some of these foreign substances,” said nurse practitioner Jacque Chrico. “But in doing that it makes you produce more secretions, more inflammation in your nasal passageway which gets to swelling.”

Chrico says if you start to develop symptoms, the best thing you can do is to get treatment right away.

“There’s a lot of over-the-counter medicines for allergies. Take an antihistamine, which is like Claritin, Zyrtec, Alegria, Xyzal, and that helps the drainage part. Then there’s stuff like Mucinex which is an expectorant. That helps chest congestion.”

In some cases where antibiotics do not work, there are some home remedies you can try.

“A lot of times it creates an irritated, sore red throat that’s not always a bacterial infection. So, antibiotics don’t work on this. You have to use a lot of home remedies; honey, lemon, and Vitamin C are good things to take.”

Overall, Chirico says not to panic if you start having symptoms, but to monitor them and make sure they do not get worse.

“Start the treatment and watch your symptoms. If the symptoms are improving, great! If they’re not improving or they’re worsening, come make an appointment at the health center.”

The Campus Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.