Allergies

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. If you think your child is suffering from allergies, please bring your child into our office for an evaluation.

Bronchiolitis

We 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.

Chickenpox

We are currently seeing cases of chickenpox, a viral illness that is caused by a very contagious virus, varicella zoster. To contract chickenpox, a child usually is exposed to another child with it. Then, in about 2 weeks, the child develops a mild fever and an itchy, bumpy red rash. The red bumps turn into very small blisters. The blisters eventually crust over and scab, and then heal back to normal skin. There is a very effective vaccine to prevent your child from getting chickenpox, and most children who have not had chickenpox should receive the vaccine at any time after their first birthday.

Influenza

Among 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.