Sore throat is a common problem during childhood and can be the result of a viral or bacterial infection. The most likely cause of a child’s sore throat depends on the child’s age and the season.  Testing may not be necessary if your child is having symptoms such as a prominent cough, hoarseness or other...

What is it? Pain and inflammation of the throat and surrounding areas. The most common cause in children are viral infections such as Adenovirus, Coxsackie A virus and Mononucleosis.  However, there are other causes such as Strep throat, Cough, Allergies or Gastroesophageal reflux disease. What are the symptoms? It depends on the cause of the...

You might have heard of the “Superbug Crisis”. If not, here is a brief explanation: Antibiotics are prescribed to fight bacteria (not viruses!) and the use of them has increased exponentially since the emergence of penicillin in the 1940s. Now antibiotics are prescribed left and right, a lot of the times for illnesses that do...

Antibiotics – they are good right? They help cure infections. Well yes…and no. Antibiotics, prescribed appropriately, are a great tool to help your child overcome bacterial infections. However, in recent years, it has been shown that antibiotics are being prescribed when they are not called for. When antibiotics are not needed, they do NOT help...

It is always a tough call for us parents! Your child has been diagnosed with the flu, impetigo, strep, or some other contagious illness. The big question is: when can they go back?We don’t want our kiddos missing too much school, but we don’t want them to infect other children, or just be miserable all...

RSV, short for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is one of the cold viruses seen every year with a season extending from about October through March. Children may have fever accompanied with runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough. Wheezing often develops with RSV, however; it is more common in children less than two years of age. There...

Strep throat or “Group A streptococci” is one of the most common infections spread among children and teenagers. Strep throat can be spread from sneezing, coughing or touching an infected child and is very contagious. However, the symptoms can be different depending on a child’s age. Infants (under a year old): While it is uncommon...