SHERMAN, TEXAS - More and more Texomans are coming down with severe cases of sore throats and runny noses and its spreading like wildfire. But as one doctor explains the cause might be a lot different than what many might think.

Doctors and nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian - WNJ have had their hands full these past few weeks.

"What we're seeing now in the winter months are a lot more of the colds coughs," said Dr. Al Cardenas of Texas Health Presbyterian - WNJ.

From sore throats to runny noses, whatever's going around is hitting Texomans hard especially Mitch Mulvehill, whose been suffering from a cold for nearly a month.

"The kids got sick, bought it home and normally I don't get sick but for some reason this year I've been sick for nearly three weeks," said Mulvehill.

Doctors say people are getting sick because the dramatic change in weather each week has caused a rise in allergens in the air.
Pollens are in the air and as a result people who are out and about will inhale them.

"Within a day or two, some folks will have a stuffy nose, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy nose, scratchy throat," said

That's when doctors say you should visit your local pharmacy. But before you open your wallet, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent from getting sick.

"Good hygiene, proper care when you're dealing with the public as well as doing simple things like taking over the counter cold and cough preparations," said Cardenas.

Doctors haven't seen many cases of the flu this winter.
They say if you think you are getting a cold and you have a pre-existing medical condition, always check with your doctor to make sure your medications won't interact badly with one another.