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.

Many children do not require allergy testing if they respond to treatment with medication as needed. To speak with a medical professional, call us at 816-942-5437 or click here for additional information.

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. If you wish to speak with a medical professional, please call 816-942-5437. For additional information on colds, click here  or for those age 0 - 12 months, click here. 

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. To speak with a medical professional call us at 816-942-5437, or to read more, click here or for children between 0 - 12 months, click here.

We have seen an uptick in RSV, a highly contagious virus that infects lungs and air passageways.  It is spread by droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, and contaminated surfaces. So use the regular precautions: wash you hands well and on a regular basis, and don’t touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

The symptoms are: stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. Most cases are not that serious, just some time in bed and plenty of fluid. For babies, it can be more serious, so watch carefully.

In each case, please contact us 816-942-5437 to speak with a medical professional. Finally, remember that antibiotics will not help as it is a virus. For additional information, see this article on RSV.