Fall is the time to get your child (and yourself!) vaccinated against Influenza.  This year’s formulations include the H1N1 strain that was so prevalent last year, so only one vaccine!  These vaccines are available at your child’s primary provider’s office.  Grubb’s pharmacy http://www.grubbscare.com/ also has doses of both available on a walk-in basis.  Fluvax is for children 6 months and older, FluMist is for children 2 years and older (without asthma).  You’ll need a prescription from your primary care provider, or I can write one for you ($5 per child).

Coxsackie is back!  I have seen SO MUCH Coxsackie Virus in the last 3-4 weeks, it’s rampant.  Remember, Coxsackie presents with mouth sores, drool and maybe a fever.  Children can really be miserable.  Sometimes adults get it as well.  Pain control and hydration are the keys to getting through this illness.  Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen will help, and don’t forget to push fluids.

See my earlier post this Spring.

It’s springtime, finally, and coxsackie virus is starting to run the rounds at the daycares.  Children present with fever and drooling, as the pain from ulcers in the mouth cause decreased appetite and potential dehydration.  Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control the fever and pain, and push lots of fluids.  Most centers will exclude your child until day 4 of symptoms, some let the children come sick as it is inevitable that the entire group will come down with the virus since it is spread by direct contact, i.e. drool!  Blisters are also common on the palms, soles and buttocks.  No lotions or creams necessary.  Most symptoms resolve in 7-10 days or earlier.

The dreaded vomiting and diarrhea has hit the Hill. Quite a few little ones have come down with this as well as their parents. Make sure you have Pedialyte™ on hand (or Gatorade™ if over twelve-months).
Child must stay home until no vomiting and fever for twenty-four hours and diarrhea is under control.

In the last week or two I’ve seen quite a few cases of croup. Watch out for high-pitched, barky, seal type of cough usually with a fever.
Put your child in the steamy bathroom or sit out on your stoop in the cool outside air. Push fluids and give Motrin™ for fever.
Child must stay home until no fever for twenty-four hours and cough calms.

I’ve seen a handful of school-age children (5 year old +) and heard of others with similar symptoms, with very high fevers this past week.  The fevers have been 103 and higher with or without a cough, and not much else.  Kids feel much better with Motrin, then the fever returns.   After a few days of this, they get better and are on their way back to school.  The key is most children feel fairly good between fevers, it doesn’t last more than a 2-3 days and they are able to tolerate fluids well.