9802 Stockdale Hwy. Ste. 103
Bakersfield, CA 93311
661-663-4444
FAX 661-663-4100

Select from over 100 symptoms to read more about managing your child's illness.
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What is Going Around?

Cough

Symptoms

We are currently seeing children and adolescents with cough, typically one of the most prominent and bothersome symptoms of viral respiratory infections at this time of year. Coughing is an important and beneficial reflex that our bodies need to clear secretions and to keep open our major airways during the course of a viral cold or upper respiratory infection. However, severe or persistent cough can be associated with asthma, pneumonia, sinus infections, and bronchiolitis, and should be evaluated by your health care provider.

See Also : Colds , Cough

Pertussis

Symptoms

Think pertussis: Consider the diagnosis of pertussis in your patients and their close contacts
Young infants: The diagnosis of pertussis is often delayed or missed because of a deceivingly mild onset of runny nose. There usually is no fever. Cough may be undetectable or mild. Illness may present as apnea, hypoxia or seizures. After a few days, mild illness may suddenly transform into respiratory distress. A white blood cell count of >20,000 cells/mm3 with >50% lymphocytes is a strong indication of pertussis.
Adolescents and adults: Most cases are not diagnosed. A misdiagnosis of bronchitis or asthma is common. The patient may report of episodes of a choking sensation or of sweating. Leukocytosis/lymphocytosis is not likely to occur in this population.
Test for pertussis: Delays in recognition of pertussis may contribute to adverse clinical outcomes
Obtain nasal aspirate (preferred specimen) or nasopharyngeal swab for PCR and/or culture promptly.
Treat for pertussis: Delays in treatment before or after hospitalization may increase the risk of fatal illness
Young infants: Because pertussis may progress rapidly in young infants we suggest that you treat suspected and confirmed cases promptly with azithromycin, monitor them very closely, and consider hospitalization in a facility that has direct access to intensive care (especially if the infant is <3 months of age). Almost all fatal cases have extreme leukocytosis with lymphocytosis, pneumonia, and pulmonary hypertension.
Report pertussis: Prompt reporting supports prevention and control efforts
Report suspected and confirmed cases of pertussis promptly to your local public health department to assist in preventing additional cases.
Prevent pertussis: Assess pertussis immunization status, and use every patient encounter to vaccinate
All close contacts to infants and health care workers should be immunized against pertussis with
Tdap or DTaP vaccine, as age appropriate.
Vaccinate for pertussis at the earliest opportunity, especially during hospitalization for birth and
clinic visits for wound management, checkups or acute care.

Sore Throats

Symptoms

We are currently seeing cases of sore throats, also known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis, meaning that the pharynx and the tonsils are inflamed and irritated. Most often, a sore throat is part of a viral cold or upper respiratory infection, and will improve itself as the cold improves. Sometimes, your child may develop a fever, a sore throat, a headache, a rash, or a stomachache without any other viral symptoms, such as a cough, a runny nose, and congestion. These symptoms most often are associated with strep throat. Bacteria, called Group A strep, cause this type of sore throat. Strep throat typically is seen in school-age children during the late fall, winter, and spring seasons. To diagnose strep throat, your physician will require a swab of your child's throat, and prescribe antibiotics to cure it.

See Also : Sore Throat , Strep Exposure