If your child has flu-like symptoms, you have a lot of company. Pediatricians tell us they're overwhelmed with patients with the H1N1 flu right now, and the offices that don't have any flu vaccine to give, be it seasonal or swine flu, are overwhelmed with calls from angry parents.
Let's start in Camillus, where Dr. Rovall's office is seeing tons of kids with the flu right now. The office staff is shocked by some parents who are losing their cool over being told there's no vaccine.
On the city's east side, Dr. Freshman says lots of children are sick with the flu. His office was on hold for an hour and a half with the state health department Wednesday morning, only to find out it will be mid-November before they can get more vaccine.
To the south of Syracuse, Brighton Pediatrics says they're inundated with children with swine flu. Strep throat is also going around.
In Liverpool, Dr. Dracker says he's seen 35 kids with the flu since Monday; in addition to the usual flu symptoms, some children also have abdominal pain and vomiting, which distinguishes the swine flu from seasonal flu.
He's also seen some babies with severe cases of croup; sore throats are going around, along with coughs and ear infections.
In Cicero, Dr. Terasaka is also seeing flu; other children have strep throat and sinus infections.
In Pulaski, they're seeing the flu, the stomach bug and strep throat.
If your child has flu symptoms, what do you do?
Call the pediatrician’s office and tell them about the child's symptoms. Unless the fever is at least 102 or 103 degrees, or if the child is having trouble breathing or has other health problems, they don't need to see the doctor. Just give Tylenol and plenty of fluids, and make sure the child is fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
What's Going Around is our way of letting you know what illnesses are out there. Your own doctor can tell you about the best treatment.
