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A Message from Nurse Redmon, School Nurse
“Respiratory viral season is here. Because of common and overlapping symptoms, distinguishing between respiratory illnesses can be confusing for parents and caregivers. Questions about vaccination and the latest guidance about what to do to help prevent spread of respiratory viruses add another layer to the confusion.
Infectious diseases experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital emphasize that distinguishing between viruses can be difficult for anyone, including clinicians. It is important for families to practice healthy habits such as hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, and staying up to date on seasonal vaccinations. Experts have cited an increase in pneumonia and whooping cough viruses and are anticipating those to continue this respiratory season.
“Every child is different, but we do know that this time of year brings with it a wave of sickness that gets passed around from child to child,” said Jason Newland, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Nationwide Children’s. “We also know that while the majority of these cases will be able to be cared for at home, any of these illnesses can turn severe for some.”
Illnesses like colds and pneumonia caused by viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, and bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal disease) during this season can often present with similar symptoms and can impact children in different ways. Some children, like those with underlying medical conditions or who are immunocompromised, are at greater risk for severe disease.
These common viruses may share similar symptoms such as a sore throat, fatigue, cough, or headache. Viruses such as RSV can present with more severe symptoms, including wheezing or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, especially in infants less than 1 year of age. Symptoms more specific to COVID-19 include loss of taste or smell. Both COVID-19 and influenza can present with sudden onset of fever along with body aches and pain. Bacterial and viral pneumonia can present with a number of symptoms, including fever and wheezing, or abnormal sounds in a specific area of the lungs being a distinguishing symptom. With any illness, if a child begins to have difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a cough that does not improve after three to five days, experts recommend bringing them to their clinician to be evaluated.” Nationwide Children’s
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