Allergies
Allergies
Symptoms
Seasonal allergies, or hayfever, cause symptoms such as watery, itchy, red eyes; a clear runny nose; sneezing; and an itchy palate or throat. The most common triggers are trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and weeds in the fall!
Effective non-sedating medications are now available for children over the age of 2 without a prescription for treatment of seasonal allergies. These include loratadine (generic Claritin), Claritin, and Zyrtec. These medications can be given as needed for allergy symptoms. If you think your child has seasonal allergies and he or she is not responding to medication OR if you are not sure, please make an appointment in our office.
Many children do not require allergy testing if they respond to treatment with medication as needed.
Bronchiolitis (and RSV)
Bronchiolitis (and RSV)
Symptoms
Bronchiolitis is a viral illness (sometimes caused by RSV -- "respiratory syncytial virus") that occurs most often in children under age 2. 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 air and the oxygen in it have difficulty getting through these narrowed, swollen airways.
With a case of bronchiolitis, your infant's symptoms may begin with a runny nose, a fever, and a harsh, tight cough. If it progresses to wheezing, your child may start to breathe rapidly and "pull" with his/her abdomen and rib muscles with each breath. Please call us for an appointment if your child's breathing becomes labored or difficult.
If your infant was born premature (under 32 weeks) or has cardiac or lung conditions, your child is at a greater risk of complications from RSV bronchiolitis. A product containing a specific antibody to RSV has been approved for monthly administration to help prevent RSV infection in these high-risk children. This form of antibody against RSV has the advantage of being able to be administered once a month by intramuscular injection. In large, controlled studies, this product has been shown to decrease hospitalization from RSV infections in these high-risk infants.
Cough
Cough
Symptoms
Cough is typically one of the most prominent and bothersome symptoms of viral respiratory infections. Coughing is an important and beneficial reflex that our bodies need to clear secretions and to keep open our major airways during the course of a viral cold or upper respiratory infection. However, severe or persistent cough can be associated with asthma, pneumonia, sinus infections, and bronchiolitis, and should be evaluated by your health care provider.
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
Symptoms
Enteroviruses frequently cause mild illness in the summer and fall. This year, Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), is a unique virus that shares features with the common cold viruses. Most infections are mild and self-limited and will last 5 to 7 days. A "small" group of children and adolescents, especially those with asthma, are experiencing more severe respiratory symptoms with wheezing and shortness of breath. Note: for most cases, a test for EV-68 is not required because it will not affect the course of the illness.
No vaccines are available for EV-68 and there are not any antiviral medications that treat this virus.
If your child has a history of asthma:
- Continue with your child's current asthma treatments
- Make sure your son/daughter has his/her inhaler and other asthma medications at all times
- If your child usually uses a controller medication (e.g an inhaled steroid) during the winter season or with colds, consider the possibility of starting the controller medication now.
- Make sure your child's teacher or caregiver knows of your child's asthma
Call 911 if your child has severe symptoms:- Having serious trouble breathing (e.g. chest retracts or lips and/or fingers turn blue)
- is unresponsive or difficult to arouse
- Has slurred speech, paralysis, or severe headache
Make an appointment or call us if:- Your child's cold seems severe and/or he/she is uncomfortable with their breathing
- Your child can't sleep due to the respiratory symptoms
- Your child has ear pain or other significant pain that is not relieved with pain medication
Home Treatment- Frequent fluids, rest and fever management.
- Frequent hand washing...cover your mouth when coughing
- Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing drinks with people who are sick.
- Disinfect surfaces in your house such as countertops and toys.
Insect bites
Insect bites
Symptoms
bug bites
Strep Throat
Strep Throat
Symptoms
If your child has a fever, sore throat, headache, or stomachache without any other viral symptoms like congestion or cough, it may be strep throat. Bacteria, called Group A strep, cause this type of sore throat. To diagnose strep throat, your provider will require a swab of your child's throat, and antibiotics will be needed if the strep test is positive. Call our office if you think your child may have strep throat.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Symptoms
Vomiting and diarrhea is usually caused by viral gastroenteritis which causes inflammation and irritation of the stomach and the intestines. This illness, often called the "stomach flu" typically lasts 1-2 days, with diarrhea lasting a few days longer.
It is important to make sure that your child does not get dehydrated with this condition. Offer Gatorade, Pedialyte, or warm soda pop in small amounts every 20 minutes until your child can keep liquids down. If they are unable to keep liquids down, back off for 2 hours. the try the small amounts again. If your child has few wet diapers and does not make tears, or appears limp or lethargic, they may be dehydrated and we will need to see them in our office.