Pink Prescriptions - August 2024
Beat Back to School Germs
August 2024 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Beat Back to School Germs
It’s back-to-school time, which means the chance of getting sick is on the rise. No one ever escaped childhood without experiencing the typical illnesses that seem to swarm through schools every year. Illnesses that get everyone’s noses running and a day or two off from school. Of course, lying in bed with fever and chills is not nearly as fun as gym class, but then again, if it means a few more days to study for a chemistry test, it may not seem so bad.
The six most-prevalent illnesses in schools are: Influenza; COVID; Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease; Stomach Flu; Strep Throat; and Pink Eye. And as we all know, these illnesses can easily pass from child to child, child to teacher, and child to parent in the wheeze of a sneeze or one little night, night kiss. No one likes feeling bad or being sick, and that’s why we went to the professionals to learn more about avoiding illness and what to look for now that the children are back in school:
By Michael Kaup, M.D., Beaufort Memorial Express Care
Tell us more about these four prevalent illnesses that cause many missed days of school and work: stomach flu; hand-foot-mouth disease; strep throat; and conjunctivitis. What are the symptoms, how contagious are they, and when should I seek medical care?
Stomach Flu or viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea or vomiting. It is sometimes accompanied by muscle pain or fever. While usually brief in duration, it is highly contagious. While there is no cure, most healthy people are likely to recover without complications. But for infants, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be more serious. It’s important to keep your child hydrated while they are ill. Take your child to see their provider if symptoms haven’t improved after a few days, they are in a lot of discomfort or pain, are dehydrated, have a fever of 102°F or higher, have bloody diarrhea or mucus/pus in their stools. It’s also important to avoid Pepto-Bismol for diarrhea in children due to it being bismuth subsalicylate, the same class of medicine as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which should also not be taken by children due to the possibility of Reyes Syndrome.
Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease is a viral infection common in young children. While usually mild, it is highly contagious. Unfortunately, it is most contagious early, often before all symptoms have appeared. Early symptoms are similar to a cold or flu and include fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, and generally feeling sick. But the illness also presents with painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. There is no “cure” for the disease, but you can alleviate pain and reduce side effects and symptoms by keeping your child hydrated and giving them acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and pain. See your provider if your child is an infant or has a weakened immune system, has mouth sores that result in inadequate fluid intake, or if symptoms don’t improve after several days.
Strep Throat is a bacterial infection more common in children than adults, but adults who come in contact with children can often be infected as well. Symptoms include painful swallowing, sore throat, red tonsils (sometimes with white patches), red spots on the roof of the mouth, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, often accompanied by fever, body aches, lack of appetite and nausea. One of the most common symptoms that correlates with strep is actually the absence of cold symptoms like cough, congestion, and runny nose. The Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat is highly contagious, so if your child is experiencing symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your provider to be tested. If you test positive for strep, your provider can prescribe an antibiotic to speed the healing process. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve painful symptoms.
Conjunctivitis (or pink eye) is another common condition in children. Allergic conjunctivitis typically causes itchy red eyes and clear tearing/drainage. Viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis can appear very similarly, with red eyes and pustular discharge with crusting of the eyes. (Special consideration is imperative because of Pseudomonas bacteria in patients who wear contact lenses.) Contact your child’s provider for antibiotic drops or ointment, which will normally clear up the infection quickly, allowing your child to return to school after 24 hours of treatment. Seek care by an eye professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist) if your child is experiencing severe eye pain, cloudy cornea (could be corneal ulcer), loss of vision, red swollen eyelid with fever, or failure to improve after 48 hours of treatment.
Michael Kaup, M.D., a Board-Certified emergency medicine physician at Beaufort Memorial Express Care, has over 30 years experience treating patients in both emergency and urgent care settings. Beaufort Memorial Express Care has three convenient locations: 1680 Ribaut Rd, Port Royal; 1 Burnt Church Rd, Ste A, Bluffton and 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Ste 100, Okatie.
By Kayo Perley, MD | Medical Associates of the Lowcountry
Tell us more about Influenza and COVID: What are the symptoms, how contagious are they, and when should I seek medical care?
Influenza: The flu causes coughing, congestion, muscle pain, high fevers, and headaches. It can be contagious two days before the actual symptoms start, during the symptomatic phase, and a few days after recovery. Severity of symptoms may correlate with increased transmissibility, which happens through coughing, sneezing and even breathing. Proper hygiene is critical to stop the spread of disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) emphasizes distancing from others, handwashing, and using a shirt sleeve or tissue to contain sneezing or coughing. Complications from influenza may include heart damage, muscle/joint problems, and concurrent infections, such as pneumonia. Seek medical attention for persistently high fevers, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, or profound fatigue. Early treatment can mitigate the risk of disease progression and hospitalization in immunocompromised individuals. An anti-viral may be used to aid in treatment if influenza is diagnosed within 48 hours after symptoms begin.
COVID: Severity of COVID symptoms range from mild to critical. A large percentage of individuals may have no symptoms at all. Most people will develop fever, cough, nasal congestion, and tiredness. The latest COVID strain is contagious three to five days before symptom onset, during the symptomatic period, and approximately five days after recovery. New CDC guidelines recommend that people with mild to moderate disease resume normal activity after 24 hours if fever-free and feeling better. Guidelines also suggest handwashing, social distancing, wearing a mask, and finding opportunities to be in fresh, clean air for at least five days after testing positive. Seek medical care for persistent fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Serious complications can include heart problems, overlying pneumonia, respiratory failure, and blood clots.
Dr. Kayo Perley is a Primary Care Physician with a passion for helping patients change their lives for the better. Dr. Perley is with Medical Associates of the Lowcountry and is taking new patients. Call (843) 706-2523 to schedule an appointment.
By Tricia Amelung, FNP-BC | Lowcountry Family Care
Heading back to school and playground can lead to a few scrapes. How should I clean it so it heals best? Is Neosporin and a band-aid the best answer?
The best treatment for abrasions and scrapes on children is to wash in warm water and soap, then use Bactine®. Bactine will help keep the wound from getting infected and also has some numbing effects to help with pain. The area can be covered with a band-aid when doing activities or at night while sleeping but should be left open to air as much as possible.
Tricia Amelung, FNP-BC graduated from Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort, S.C. in 2011 with her associates degree in nursing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2013 from Chamberlain College of Nursing and continued at Chamberlain for her masters degree in nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner Degree. Lowcountry Family Care offers family care for patients of all ages! Call (843) 638-6100 to schedule an appointment.
By Andrea Casias CPNP-PC | Lowcountry Family Care
Fevers in children are very different than adults. What is considered low grade, and when is there cause for concern?
After a child’s fever breaks, how long should before he or she can go back to school?
A low-grade fever in a healthy child greater than 60 days old is 100.4°F. Anything under 100°F is considered normal. A fever is the body’s way of trying to fight infection. Although we want our children to be comfortable, it is not necessary nor helpful to treat a fever under 102°F unless the child is visibly uncomfortable. There is typically no need for concern unless the fever is greater than 104°F, if it lasts 7+ days, or if the child appears very sick-looking and not responsive. However, parents know their child best, and it is never wrong to bring your child to be evaluated if the parent is concerned. A child may return to school once fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medications.
Andrea Casias CPNP-PC specializes in pediatrics. She earned her Doctorate of Pediatric Primary Care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2021. Lowcountry Family Care offers family care for patients of all ages! Call (843) 638-6100 to schedule an appointment.