What's Going Around?

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.

For allergy management, visit the allergy section here or find medication dosing from our allergy medication pages.

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 congestion and runny nose may last for 5-10 days. The cough may last 3 weeks.

The typical young child may experience 6-10 colds per year.

Treatments can usually be done with saline and pain relievers as needed. Children over a year can use honey for cough. See our page on upper respiratory tract infections / colds for more tips on home management.

Most colds resolve on their own with rest and fluids, but some may lead to ear infection, sinus infection, asthma attack, or other complications, such as long covid.If you are concerned about the possibility of one of these complications, please have your child seen in our office for an evaluation.

We are not yet seeing much strep throat, but it tends to come with the start of school. 

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, a throat swab can be done to help differentiate between a virus as the cause or this bacteria. Antibiotics are not helpful if it is a virus, but very beneficial if it is bacterial. If the rapid strep test in our office is negative, we can send a second swab (done at the same time as the first, no worries about going back for another swab!) for culture.

Learn more about strep here.

Croup, a viral respiratory illness that most often is caused by the parainfluenza virus and tends to show up in the Fall and Winter. 

The cough and breathing that are associated with croup make it distinctly different from other viral colds or respiratory illnesses. This is because the parainfluenza virus infects and irritates the voice box, the vocal cords, and the windpipe. The cough is worse at night, and it has a distinct bark that sounds much like a seal's bark. Associated with the barky cough, your child may have difficulty when inhaling air, making a labored and whistling sound when breathing in -- called stridor. Humidified air and fluids often are the most helpful treatments.

Please call the office to have your child evaluated by the doctor if he/she has symptoms of croup. If it is severe in the middle of the night, an ER trip may be necessary.

For more information: See also Cough, It doesn't sound like croup, see Cough, See also Croup, Tight purring sound when breathing out, see Wheezing (Other Than Asthma)

We are currently seeing children and adolescents with cough, 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.

For more information see our Cough page.

Usually called viral gastroenteritis, several types of viruses can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach and the intestines, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. This illness, often called the "stomach flu" typically lasts 1-2 days, with diarrhea lasting a few days longer.

Common causes of vomiting and diarrhea- 

• Norovirus: Peaks sharply in the winter months (November to April), spreading rapidly in schools, daycares, and tight spaces.
• Rotavirus: Most common during late winter and spring (February to May), primarily affecting infants and young children.
• Summer/Foodborne Bugs: Parasites and bacterial causes surface more frequently in summer due to outdoor dining, picnics, and fresh produce contamination.

If your child has nausea without vomiting or diarrhea, see our page on nausea.

For vomiting and diarrhea treatment tips, visit our gastroenteritis page.

We are not yet seeing COVID19, but wastewater levels are rising. Johnson County, Kansas, now reports common causes of respiratory tract infecions here. This includes COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

We are currently seeing cases of bronchiolitis, a viral illness (sometimes caused by RSV, which stands for 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. When older children and adults get the viruses that cause bronchiolitis, it is often a mild cold. Keep in mind that your mild cold can make infants (and elderly) very sick.

"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. Home treatment involves putting saline in the nose and suctioning with a nasal aspirator (not a bulb syringe). If your baby is struggling to feed, is breathing more than 60 times in a minute routinely, or is sucking in ribs, they may be showing symptoms of bronchiolitis.

Please call us for an appointment or come to our walk in if your child's breathing becomes labored or difficult during office hours or go to a pediatric ER or Urgent Care after hours.

Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) is a monoclonal antibody with activity against RSV. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses. One dose of Beyfortus, administered as a single intramuscular injection prior to or during RSV season, may provide protection during the RSV season. Learn more about Beyfortus.

Influenza (commonly called "flu") usually causes a sudden onset of fever and chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, weakness and fatigue.

Symptomatic treatment can be used at home like other respiratory tract infections.

Influenza usually is more mild if one has been vaccinated. Flu vaccines are recommended each Fall.

Antiviral medications can be used if started early. Tamiflu and Xofluza are antivirals that can be started within 24-72 hours of symptoms. Schedule a visit or come to our walk in to see if one of these is appropriate.

Immediately seek medical attention in an emergency room if there is difficulty breathing or signs of dehydration.

For more:

Influenza

Influenza exposure

Medication dosages

Among the many viruses we see causing respiratory illness right now, the influenza virus (commonly called "the flu") can be particularly severe. Infection with the influenza virus causes a sudden onset of 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.  They are especially vulnerable to complications and should get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Please get a vaccination if you and your child have not yet had it this year!

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common viral illness caused by the Coxsackie A-16 virus (a member of the enterovirus family). Its name describes the location of the rash during the illness. If there is no rash, blisters in the mouth can be from herpangina. 

Typically children experience fever and small blisters in the mouth in the first few days followed by small blisters on the hands and then feet.  Sometimes the rash is seen in the diaper area as well.  The mouth blisters can be painful.  Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be given as needed for pain relief.  It is important to make sure your child receives plenty of fluids.  Cold liquids may provide pain relief as well.  

Call our office for an appointment if you think your child may be showing symptoms of dehydration during this illness (urinating less than every 8 hours, dry mouth, or lethargy); if the fever persists after the first 3-4 days; or if you cannot keep the pain under control.