What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Mononucleosis? 

Signs of mono usually show up about 1–2 months after a person is infected with the virus. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis can vary from child to child, and the most common symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for strep throat or the flu. Symptoms usually last for about 2-4 weeks, but some people continue to feel tired for weeks after that. Symptoms include but are not limited to: 

Fever and headache 

Sore throat with swollen tonsils and swollen lymph nodes  

Fatigue and rash 

Abdominal pain, enlarged liver or spleen  

Jaundice and loss of appetite 

How Is Mono Diagnosed? 

Mono is most often clinically diagnosed, including evaluating a patient’s history and a physical exam. A provider can occasionally order blood tests such as white blood cell count, antibodies and liver function test. 

Can Mono be Treated? 

There is no specific treatment for mono; however, rest, hydration and acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help to relieve symptoms. Refrain from giving your child aspirin as it can cause Reye syndrome, which may cause liver failure or can even be fatal. In some cases, corticosteroids, a type of steroid medication, can reduce swelling of the throat and tonsils. The spleen can get enlarged and carries risk of rupture if your child is injured or falls; therefore, your child should avoid contact sports, heavy lifting, active play and high intensity exercise until they fully recover and are cleared by a healthcare provider. 

Can Mono Be Prevented? 

Good hygiene is key as there is no vaccine to protect against the Epstein-Barr virus. Avoid close contact with anyone who has mono. Ensure frequent hand washing and avoid sharing drinks or utensils. 

When Should I Reach out to a Healthcare Provider? 

When in doubt always seek medical attention. Call your healthcare provider if your child has new or worsening symptoms. Call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital if there are any urgent or emergent symptoms or concerns. 

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes, is not a substitute for medical advice, and should not be used to treat any person. Seek medical advice immediately for an evaluation if you have any concerns. 

Ahmed Elbedewy MD, MBA, CPE, DNBPAS, FAAP is the  Medical Director of  After Hours Pediatrics – South Florida. For more information, go to After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care, Naples or call 239.799.1970.

The post The Kissing Disease: What Families Should Know About Mononucleosis appeared first on SWFL Family.

From The Mayo Clinic: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a vaccine to help protect pregnant women and infants from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Abrysvo, the single-dose vaccine produced by Pfizer, is approved for use in pregnant women between week 32 and week 36 of pregnancy. Beyfortus, also a single-dose vaccine, has been approved for infants during or entering their first RSV season and for children up to 24 months who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease during their second RSV season. Learn more about the vaccine and how to get it here, and consult with your physician to make the best decision for your family.

Read live updates from the CDC on RSV activity here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced increased activity of respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, across parts of the Southern U.S.  Here is what parents and caregivers should know.

What is RSV?

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) causes symptoms of a cold in school-aged children and adults, but can also cause bronchospasm (wheezing, wheezy cough) in infants through toddlers.

When does RSV commonly occur?

RSV is typically a fall and winter virus, but it can occur at any time of the year. Another name for this type of “super-cold” in infants and young children is bronchiolitis, which can also be caused by several other viruses. Testing for RSV is available, but the diagnosis of bronchiolitis does not require the identification of the virus, as the type of virus does not really influence treatment.

How is RSV treated?

Because RSV is a virus, there is no medication to make the infection go away faster. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. For infants and children, you can use nonprescription medications such as acetaminophen or, for kids over 6 months, ibuprofen for fever or apparent discomfort. You can use a humidifier or vaporizer where the child sleeps and encourage them to drink extra fluids. Cold and cough medications are not recommended for children under 5 years of age, but you can use saline nose drops or spray and nasal suctioning to help temporarily with nasal congestion. You can also give ½ -1 tsp of honey a few times a day to help with the cough, but only for children over 1 year of age. Infants are at risk of developing potentially life-threatening botulism if they ingest honey that contains the spores of the bacterium that causes botulism. You can try nonprescription cough and cold medications for children over 5 years of age, but they frequently do not work.

Will breathing treatments help my child?

Unless your child has a history of wheezing in the past or if there is a very strong family history of asthma, nebulizer treatments with albuterol and oral or inhaled steroids are NOT recommended for young children with RSV and wheezing. Children and adults who have asthma or Reactive Airways Disease use albuterol to combat the contraction of the muscles that line the small airways in the lungs, causing a narrowing of those airways and partial obstruction to the flow of air. Infants and young children do not have much of that type of muscle in their airways, so albuterol has been proven not to work. Likewise, steroids have been documented not to work for RSV infections. The wheezing heard in infants and young children with RSV and other types of viral bronchiolitis is thought to occur because of excess mucus production in the lungs, which causes some partial obstruction of the small airways. There is no medication available to treat this mucus production.

When do I need to see a doctor for RSV?

If your child with RSV is not having labored breathing, is not vomiting frequently due to hard coughing and is drinking plenty of fluids, there’s usually no need for emergency treatment. Please have your child evaluated immediately if they exhibit any of these symptoms:

• Your child appears to be focusing only on getting air in and out of their lungs and is not interacting with you.
• You see the muscles below, between or above the ribs sucking in with each breath (retractions).
• Your child is vomiting frequently with or without coughing.
• Your child appears exhausted or is not drinking well.

How long does RSV last?

The acute phase of RSV generally lasts for about a week, with the worst symptoms coming at around the third and fourth days, then gradually improving. The cough may last for weeks. Children are thought to be contagious for 5-8 days, but some children can infect others for as long as a month. There is no way to tell if your child is still contagious. A good rule of thumb is that they can return to daycare/school once they have had no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever medicine), they are eating and drinking well, and the cough may be present but is no longer very frequent or distressing.

Is RSV contagious?

RSV is very contagious! Please do not send your child to daycare or school with a cold unless they have been cleared by a health-care provider. People of any age can catch RSV. In older kids and adults, it usually just causes cold symptoms, but the elderly and anyone with immune system problems may get very sick, so please keep your child away from these vulnerable people.

Read the latest updates from the CDC on RSV activity here.

The post RSV: What You Should Know to Protect Your Family From This Frightening Illness appeared first on SWFL Family.

By Deepa Ravi, MD, FAAP, South Florida Medical Director, After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care

You are with your daughter at a soccer game on a Sunday morning and she becomes short of breath with chest pain and nausea. Should you go to an urgent care or call 9-1-1?

It’s 7 p.m. on a Tuesday when your son is skateboarding and jumps a curb and rolls his ankle. Do you ice it and hope for the best or head to a nearby urgent care clinic?

It’s Wednesday at 10 a.m., and your toddler has been suffering with fever and vomiting for several days. Can this be ignored or should you call your doctor?

Sometimes when medical situations arise it’s hard to know whether to call your primary care physician, visit the nearest urgent care center, or head straight to the emergency room. But there are some basic guidelines that can help you discern when and where to go the next time you or someone in your care is dealing with a medical issue.

Emergency care

Emergency rooms are set up to provide 24/7 treatment of the most serious and/or severe symptoms. They have advanced imaging and lab resources onsite and quick access to providers in specialty areas. Some examples of conditions that warrant an immediate trip to the ER include:

• head injuries with loss of consciousness, drowsiness, vomiting, and/or confusion

• severe burns

• severe chest pain or pressure

• shortness of breath

• excessive or uncontrollable bleeding

• choking

• coughing or vomiting blood

• seizures

• open fractures

• sudden or severe headaches, paralysis, or weakness

• sudden changes in vision

• anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)

• electric shock

• possible ingestion of chemicals or overdose of medications

• dehydration

• severe lacerations

• fever in a newborn less than 28 days old

• fever over 101 for more than five days

• testicular injuries

• severe eye injuries

• signs or symptoms of appendicitis

Emergency room visits are expensive and often time-consuming, but the ER is always the best option for life- or limb-threatening conditions. If you or someone in your care is experiencing difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke or heart attack, or a life-threatening injury, call 9-1-1 rather than driving to the nearest emergency room.

Urgent care

Urgent care centers have set hours that include evenings, weekends, and holidays, and most centers don’t require an appointment. They may offer X-ray and basic lab services. The purpose of urgent care is to treat urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions that arise during hours when your primary care provider is unavailable.

Examples of conditions that are often treated in urgent care include:

• sprains and strains

• minor fractures

• rashes and skin irritations or infections

• minor cuts and abrasions

• mild to moderate asthma

• moderate back pain

• urinary tract infections

• ear infections

• sinus infections

• throat infections

• upper respiratory infections

• fever or suspected flu or COVID

• vomiting and diarrhea

• minor eye injuries

• foreign bodies in the nose, ear, eyes, or skin

• sexually transmitted infections testing

• fainting spells or syncope (brief loss of consciousness)

• allergic reactions

Urgent care centers are typically less expensive and quicker than visiting an emergency room. They may be staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. They provide a convenient and efficient option for after-hours illnesses and injuries or same-day appointments when your regular physician is unavailable. However, it’s important to remember that urgent care is designed to supplement rather than to replace your primary care provider.

Primary care

Primary care providers are set up to function as the hub of your healthcare. They are typically open regular business hours and provide preventive as well as routine health care for you and your family. Their goal is to help patients by providing comprehensive care, disease prevention, and diagnosis of acute and chronic illnesses, medication management, and patient education. Your PCP partners with you on an ongoing basis as you navigate the health care system. If you can schedule an appointment and be seen by your PCP, they are the best choice of care for non-life-threatening conditions because they know you and your medical history.

Examples of primary care offerings:

• physicals and annual exams

• preventive care

• prescription management and refills

• vaccinations

• disease management (diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc.)

• nutritional counseling

• referrals to specialists

• treatment of minor illnesses and injuries during open hours

Primary care, urgent care, and emergency care are designed to work in tandem with each other to ensure that you have access to appropriate, quality health care wherever and whenever you need it.

For more information visit www.afterhourspediatrics.com.

After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care is NOW OPEN in Naples, FL!: https://www.afterhourspediatrics.com/locations/naples/

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