TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The fall season can bring many changes such as leaf colors and cooler temperatures, but these changes bring the risk of sickness in the air.

Just 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’s called histamine which helps them fight some of these foreign substances in the the body, but in doing that, it makes you produce more secretions,” said Jacque Chirico of the Troy University Health Center. “You get more inflammation and your nasal passageways, you get some swelling.”

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

“The number one thing to do is get you, you know there’s a lot of over the counter medicines for allergies,” Chirico explained. “Take an antihistamine um which is like Claritin, Zyrtec, Alegra, Zyzol, and that helps the drainage part and then there’s stuff like Mucinex which is an expectorant that helps chest congestion.”

In some cases where antibiotics may 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 you know a bacterial infection so you know antibiotics don’t work on this you have to use a lot of home remedies,” Chirico told TrojanVision. “Honey, lemon, vitamin C is a good thing to take.”

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

“Start the treatment and, you know, watch your symptoms. If the symptoms are improving great, if they’re not improving or they’re worsening, you know, come make appointment. Come to the Health Center.”