Allergies
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 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.
Cough
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.
Enterovirus
Symptoms
We are currently seeing children and adolescents with infections caused by the enteroviruses, a group of viruses that often cause illness during the summer and the early fall months. The commonly used term "enterovirus" includes the coxsackie viruses, the echoviruses, and the enteroviruses. These viruses often cause a fever, and also may cause a rash, respiratory or cold symptoms, and vomiting with diarrhea. Hand-foot-mouth disease, a rash that involves those areas of the body, is a common enteroviral infection that occurs in children. More serious illnesses that are caused by these viruses include meningitis, heart infections, and eye infections. For mild illnesses caused by the enteroviruses, the best treatment is adequate rest, plenty of fluids, and fever control.
Influenza
Symptoms
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" or the nasal FluMist that has been administered to many people this fall protects against Influenza A and B. If you and/or your child received a flu shot or FluMist, you likely will be protected from infection 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.
Some children are at increased risk of more serious illness from influenza, because of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, immunity problems, or being treated with immune-suppressing medications for other reasons. They are especially vulnerable to complications, and should be especially certain to get vaccinated (even this late in the season).
There is also a higher risk this season of infection with the H1N1 influenza virus. Symptoms are often similar to those of Influenza A and B. Any child with such symptoms should be evaluated by their health care provider.
