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.
Learn more about the flu and see the most up to date information here. 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.
Avoid indoor public places whenever possible, even as we open back up. Stay 6 feet away from others briefly walking by is not high risk. Outdoor gatherings allow for better air flow and spacing between people.
Wash hands for 20 seconds and rinse with warm water or use a hand sanitizer frequently. Wipe down commonly touched surfaces daily. Cough into your elbow or a tissue or your mask if wearing one at the time.
Wash your hands if you cough into your hand or tissue. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without first cleaning your hands. Clean again afterwards. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth covering or use a plastic face shield if masks are not tolerated.
Masks should NOT be used in children under 2 years of age. See our Masks page for many tips and reasons to wear masks. We require face coverings in our office but supplies are low so please bring your own. Get regular exercise. Go for a walk or ride a bike weather permitting , throw a dance party in the living room for your family, use online exercise programs at home. And for many of us, even our best efforts are not good enough. The public health measures taken to stem the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which has been responsible for the deaths of more than , people in the U.
This year the Southern Hemisphere essentially skipped flu season , which typically hits countries such as Australia, Chile and South Africa in May or June. Data from Australia suggest that although pandemic restrictions pushed many non-flu viruses out of circulation, a group of cold-causing pathogens known as rhinoviruses stuck around. A similar trend could be in store for the U. Pedro Piedra, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Baylor College of Medicine, says that although he has seen a significant decrease in many common respiratory viruses during the pandemic, he has noticed an uptick in rhinoviruses this fall.
Some virologists believe that the sheer number of viruses that cause the common cold can make it exceedingly difficult to avoid catching one: there are around different pathogens.
These include four coronaviruses the group that includes SARS-CoV-2 ; four parainfluenza viruses which, despite their name, bear no relation to influenza viruses ; respiratory syncytial virus; and different rhinoviruses. Viral censuses have revealed that dozens of these rhinoviruses circulate in any one place at a given time. The persistence of rhinoviruses during the pandemic may be the result of not only their impressive number but also their primitive nature, says Ian Mackay, a virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia.
This envelope can cloak the pathogen from antibodies deployed by the human immune system, enabling it to infect cells undetected. But it can also break down after exposure to the environment or a good handwashing, rendering the virus harmless.
Rhinoviruses, on the other hand, never evolved an envelope. These so-called naked viruses, which also include the gut-distress-inducing noroviruses, are more resistant to sanitizers and disinfectants and may last longer on fingertips and surfaces. We are currently seeing children and adolescents with "pink eye.
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. For more information: See also Eye - Pus or Discharge.
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. We are currently seeing children and adolescents with viral upper respiratory infections: severe nasal congestion and secretions, sore throat, occasional vomiting and fever for days.
These symptoms are followed by a dry, persistent cough that may last for days. For more information: See also Sinus Pain or Congestion. We are currently seeing viral illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
0コメント