Doctors (and other health care providers) see lots of young patients at PAMF every week. Here are some things they think are important for you to know.

To see previous entries, go to our archive.

New This Month: H1N1 Virus

So what’s up with the swine flu?

H1N1, or "swine flu," is a virus that causes flu symptoms: cough, runny nose, high fevers, sore throat and sometimes body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. It can be spread easily from person to person, usually by coughing or sneezing. Like many viruses, the H1N1 virus started out in animals (pigs), but has spread over time to humans. Most cases are spread from person to person. You can not get the virus by eating pork.

Most kids who get H1N1 infections have symptoms lasting one to two weeks, but recover without additional problems. If you are diagnosed with H1N1 or have flu-like symptoms, treat the symptoms at home:

• Drink plenty of liquids


• Get plenty of rest


• Cover your mouth/nose when you cough/sneeze


• Wash your hands to avoid spreading the illness.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and have asthma or other medical problems, you should see or call your doctor.

Although it is rare, some kids get sicker than expected with this virus. If you develop chest pain, difficulty breathing, or if your parents feel you are behaving strangely, you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if your fever goes away for more than one day and then comes back.

Once you have had no fever for 24 hours, you may return to school.

The best way to stay healthy is to wash your hands before you eat. Avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose or mouth) whenever possible. Take good care of yourself by sleeping and eating well, and discuss with your parents and doctor whether the flu shots are right for you.

Impetigo

How about impetigo? This is a skin infection that is caused by the same streptococcus pyogenes and about half the time, also staphylococcus aureus. It is highly contagious by contact spread. It is most common in young children, aged two to five, but can definitely occur in older children and adults. It can cause a direct infection or also frequently a “super-infection” of a cut or area of injury that is already present.

There is a characteristic yellow or “honey-colored” crust that forms over the infected area. Again, the main reason to treat impetigo is to prevent the spread of infection and other systemic problems. Penicillin is still the best way to treat it.

Be reassured – both of these strep conditions are easily to diagnose and treat. If you have concerns, you should see your doctor to check it out. A word of caution about treatment: even though there is very little antibiotic resistance to penicillin to Group A strep, it’s best to treat only if a diagnosis is fairly certain or confirmed by testing. Resistance is still possible, and there is resistance to other antibiotics (such as azithromycin aka “Zithromax”). Good hygiene is the best protection – so keep washing those hands with soap and water!