Seasonal Recommendations For…

Fall Viruses: Hand, Foot and Mouth / COVID-19 / Flu

What viruses are currently going around?

With the return of students back to school, there is routinely an increase in the rates of common viral illnesses.
Currently, we are seeing more cases of the following:

  1. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

  2. COVID-19

  3. Flu / Influenza

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFM) is a common viral infection that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area. The coxsackievirus causes most HFM infections.

HFM is contagious and easily spreads through contact with unwashed hands, feces (poop), saliva (spit), mucus from the nose, or fluid from the blisters. Kids under age 7 are most at risk for HFM. Infections are common in childcare centers, preschools, schools, summer camps, and other places where kids are close together.

Besides the blisters, kids often have a fever for a few days and can get dehydrated because it hurts to swallow liquids. Symptoms usually clear up within a week to 10 days, and kids recover completely.

Source: KidsHealth

COVID-19

COVID-19 usually is milder in kids than in adults, though some children have gotten pretty sick from it.

Many parents wonder what to do if their child gets sick. Here's what you need to know.

Infection can cause a range of symptoms. Most common are fever, cough, trouble breathing, and gastrointestinal problems like bellyache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other complaints include headaches, muscle aches, loss of taste and smell, and cold symptoms. The virus can be more serious in some people. And some people have no symptoms at all.

Call your doctor if your child has a fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, or just doesn't feel well. If your child has been near someone with COVID-19 or been in an area where lots of people have it, tell the doctor. Talk about whether your child needs a test for COVID-19. The doctor can decide whether your child:

  • can be treated at home

  • should come in for a visit

Source: KidsHealth

Flu / Influenza

The flu (influenza) is a viral infection that usually starts out like a cold, but can cause a more serious illness. Most kids who get the flu get over the infection without any problems. Flu viruses usually cause the most illness during the colder months of the year.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of the Flu?

  • fever that comes on suddenly

  • chills

  • headache

  • muscle aches

  • loss of appetite

  • cough

  • sore throat

  • runny nose

  • nausea or vomiting

  • dizziness

  • tiredness

  • ear pain

What Can I Do About Flu Symptoms?

  • Let your child rest as much as needed.

  • Keep your child hydrated with plenty of liquids.

  • Relieve symptoms with:

    • a cool-mist humidifier

    • saline (saltwater) nose drops

    • acetaminophen or ibuprofen (give according to package directions)

Never give aspirin to a child with the flu. Such use is linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Don't give cough or cold medicine to children under 6 years old. Call the doctor first for older kids.

Call your doctor if you have any questions, or if your child has an underlying health condition.

Source: KidsHealth