Our office has been very busy with one of the sickest autumns any of us can remember. We’re seeing, well, a ton of everything. It’s becoming more difficult for any of us to keep our kids healthy.
A sample of what’s out there:
- Strep throat
- Enterovirus D68, which causes a prolonged and sometimes severe cough, and can be even more serious for children with asthma. CDC update here.
- Parainfluenza, which can cause croup, laryngitis, or pneumonia
- Fevers—lots of fevers, caused by a variety of infections. Most of these are viral, but they’re lasting several days
- RSV, a virus that affects young babies most, causing cough and wheeze and congestion
- And: Influenza has begun to appear!
The best ways to keep your children safe from these and other infections are:
- Stay away from sick people
- If you or your children are sick, stay home
- Practice good hand hygiene. Don’t touch your own face, and wash or sanitize hands frequently
- Make sure your children are fully vaccinated, including their yearly influenza vaccines