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Kid Advice > What's Going Around
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<< Back
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Allergies
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Symptoms:
Seasonal allergies, or hayfever, are very common at this time of year. Typical symptoms include 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.
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See Also:
hay fever, allergic rhinitis
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Colds and Upper Respiratory Infections
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Symptoms:
Colds, 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.
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See Also:
colds, sinus pain and congestion
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Cough
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Symptoms:
We are currently seeing children and adolescents with cough, typically one of the most prominent and bothersome symptoms of viral respiratory infections at this time of year. 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.
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See Also:
colds, cough
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Mouth Blisters (Herpangina)
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Symptoms:
Herpangina is an illness caused by a virus, with small blister-like bumps or ulcers in the back of throat or the roof of the mouth. The child may have a high fever with the illness.
Herpangina is a common disease in children and is usually seen in children between the ages of 1 and 4, most often in the summer and fall. Good handwashing is necessary to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Treatment for herpangina is to help decrease the severity of the symptoms. Since it is a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment may include increased fluid intake, and acetaminophen for fever and pain.
If the child is not taking fluids well and there is concern about hydration, you should bring the child in to the office.
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See Also:
tick bite, lyme disease
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Pink Eye
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Symptoms:
We are currently seeing children and adolescents with "pink eye." Also known as conjunctivitis, this condition can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. Viral pink eye typically appears as red and watery eyes, and is accompanied by common viral cold or upper respiratory symptoms. This type of pink eye should resolve itself as the viral cold improves. Bacterial pink eye usually appears as red eyes with yellow or green discharge. Upon awakening, the eyes often are matted shut with dried discharge. This type of pink eye also may be associated with a viral cold, but the bacterial eye infection itself requires antibiotic eye drops to cure. Good handwashing is very important because both viral and bacterial pink eye infections are very contagious.
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See Also:
eye, pus or drainage, pink eye/conjunctivitis
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Poison Ivy
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Symptoms:
Itchy, itchy, pink bumpy rash occurring after exposure to plant oils
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See Also:
poison ivy, oak or sumac
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Strep Throat
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Symptoms:
We are currently seeing quite a bit of strep throat. 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 physician will require a swab of your child's throat, and antibiotics will be needed if the strep test is positive.
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See Also:
sore throat, strep throat-acute, strep throat-recurrent
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