HARRISBURG, PA. (WHTM) -Doctors are seeing cases of strep throat and continue to see a lot of upper respiratory viruses. They are also starting to see patients suffering some seasonal allergies with spring blooming.
WellSpan Medical Group providers are seeing a bump in strep cases this week, after seeing a decline in cases last week. In addition, flu cases continue but are tapering off.
For strep prevention, WellSpan Medical Group providers also recommend frequent handwashing, as the bacteria can live for a short time on doorknobs, water faucets and other objects. They also recommend not drinking from the same glass or using the same eating utensils as an infected individual.
WellSpan Medical Group providers have observed more than one flu strain in communities, making it possible for residents to get the flu more than once.
For the flu, WellSpan Medical Group providers urge sick individuals to seek treatment. Early diagnosis may lessen the severity and duration of the illness.
As a reminder, those seeking care for respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, at any WellSpan care site, such as primary or urgent care locations or hospitals, are encouraged to adhere to respiratory etiquette practices. Techniques such as coughing into the inside of your elbow, frequent handwashing with antibacterial soaps for 20 to 30 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, such as Purell, are recommended to help prevent the spread of illness in public and at home.
The flu isn’t gone yet.
Both strep and Adenovirus can cause a sore throat that may have white spots on the tonsils, as well as fever and belly pain. Adenovirus also can have a component of viral pink eye, where the eyes appear red and tearing, whereas strep does not typically affect the eyes. As its name suggests, Adenovirus is a virus and therefore has no treatment. It typically resolves in five to seven days. Strep throat, on the other hand, is caused by a bacteria and needs to be treated with an antibiotic. A throat culture helps differentiate the two causes; therefore sore throats should be evaluated by a physician’s office.
Impetigo is an infection of the skin with streptococcal bacteria. It frequently occurs on the face and can look like a red rash, often with a crust on top. The crust often has a yellow color to it, frequently described as “dried honey.” This rash technically can appear anywhere on the body, though we often see it on the face, frequently at the corners of the nose and mouth. This rash can be painful, though it frequently doesn’t bother the child at all.
Any crusting rash, a rash that does not get better after a week or so, or a rash that seems to get progressively redder should be evaluated by a doctor. Impetigo is treated with a topical antibiotic cream and sometimes additional oral antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection. Other rashes also can have various forms of crusting, such as fungal infections, psoriasis and eczema, so it’s always a good idea to have any kind of ‘crusting rash’ evaluated.”
Most children are starting with abdominal cramping, nausea, and a sometimes a fever. The symptoms are lasting five to seven days.
