Pediatrician talks cold vs. allergies and spike in local strep cases

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) – As we head into spring, medical doctors say everybody ought to nonetheless be vigilant in opposition to sicknesses in youngsters. 

Dr. Ryan Jimenez, a Pediatrician from Pediatric Companions of Augusta, stated the specter of chilly and flu in youngsters stays. 

“We’ve seen somewhat bit extra instances of flu, and we’re beginning to get a little bit of an uptick,” he stated. “Anecdotally in the previous couple of months, we’ve in all probability seen extra flu than in prior years, additionally later in seasons.”

Other than the flu, he stated springtime can even include a unique set of well being points. 

“Now that the pollen is out, we’ve seen households tease out is it allergy symptoms? Is it colds,” he stated. 

Dr. Jimenez defined there are a number of distinctions between the 2 that households can look out for.

“Allergic reactions usually don’t include fevers. It is normally a hyper response by our immune system to usually innocent issues, pollen, ragweed, canine dander,” he stated. 

Whereas allergy signs can are available rapidly, Dr. Jimenez defined that colds differ. 

“It’s extra gradual, it’s much less of an aggressive response. It normally comes with fevers. That’s normally a telltale signal that it’s in all probability a chilly vs a brewing potential bacterial sickness,” he stated. 

Along with this, Dr. Jimenez stated he has been seeing spikes in instances of strep throat.

“I’ve seen greater than in all probability within the final 5 years, I might say in my very own expertise,” Dr. Jimenez stated. 

In case you suppose your little one has strep, he stated you’ll wish to examine with a health care provider and get antibiotics. 

“When you have a sore throat, fevers, normally these are the 2, in absence of different signs. It might be in case you’re over a sure age, childhood and older, it will be smarter to go get examined at your pediatric workplace,” he stated. 

Amid diseases no matter season or age, Dr. Jimenez stated everybody needs to be washing their arms and likewise staying dwelling if they’re sick. 

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