| What is Going Around in the Community?
BronchiolitisSymptomsWe are currently seeing cases of bronchiolitis, a viral illness that occurs most often in children under age 2. Its most common cause is the "respiratory syncytial virus," often referred to as "RSV." This virus typically occurs in epidemics during the winter and the early spring. "Bronchioles" are the smallest airways in our lungs, and "itis" means these airways are inflamed, or irritated, by the virus. When these airways get inflamed in young children, they often will start to "wheeze," meaning both the air and the oxygen have difficulty getting through these narrowed, swollen airways. With a case of bronchiolitis, your child's symptoms may begin with a runny nose, a fever, and a sharp cough. If it progresses to wheezing, your child will start to breathe rapidly and will "pull" with his/her abdomen and rib muscles with each breath. A physician should be consulted if your child has these symptoms. See Also : Wheezing (Other Than Asthma) Colds and Upper Respiratory InfectionsSymptomsColds, upper respiratory infections, and URIs are common terms we use to describe viral illnesses that cause nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and cough. The fever usually lasts for 2-3 days, and the cough with congestion and runny nose may last for 5-10 days. The typical preschool-age child may experience 6-10 colds per year. Most colds resolve on their own with rest and fluids, but some may lead to ear infection, sinus infection, asthma attack, or other complications. If you are concerned about the possibility of one of these complications, please have your child seen in our office for an evaluation. See Also : Colds , Sinus Pain or Congestion InfluenzaSymptomsAmong the many viruses we see causing respiratory illness right now, the influenza virus can be particularly severe. Commonly called "the flu," this virus typically causes respiratory (nose/mouth/breathing) symptoms, rather than stomach symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The "flu shot" that has been administered to many people this fall protects against Influenza A, which is the type of influenza currently circulating in our community. If you and/or your child received a flu shot, you likely will be protected from infection with Influenza A this year. In those children and adults who did not receive a flu shot, infection with the influenza virus causes sudden onset of a fever, chills, dry cough, and muscle aches. Other symptoms include headache, fatigue, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Sometimes, medicines against the influenza virus are effective in decreasing the symptoms and their severity. Your health care provider can determine if these medicines are right for you. See Also : Influenza Sore ThroatsSymptomsWe are currently seeing cases of sore throats, also known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis, meaning that the pharynx and the tonsils are inflamed and irritated. Most often, a sore throat is part of a viral cold or upper respiratory infection, and will improve itself as the cold improves. Sometimes, your child may develop a fever, a sore throat, a headache, a rash, or a stomachache without any other viral symptoms, such as a cough, a runny nose, and congestion. These symptoms most often are associated with strep throat. Bacteria, called Group A strep, cause this type of sore throat. Strep throat typically is seen in school-age children during the late fall, winter, and spring seasons. To diagnose strep throat, your physician will require a swab of your child's throat, and prescribe antibiotics to cure it. See Also : Sore Throat , Strep Exposure Vomiting and DiarrheaSymptomsWe are currently seeing viral illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Usually called viral gastroenteritis, the virus causes inflammation and irritation of the stomach and the intestines, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Typically, vomiting and a low-grade fever start first, followed by diarrhea that may persist for several days. Rotavirus is a specific virus occurring during the winter months that can cause significant diarrhea in infants and children. Occasionally, it can lead to hospitalization for dehydration. Ensuring that your infant or child drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated during this illness is the mainstay of treatment. |
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