This fall and winter could be rough from a viral infection standpoint. Due to COVID, a number of our seasonal viral infections have been occuring at unusual times. For example, we saw RSV infections in kids this summer when this is usually a fall and winter viral infection.
Have you or your kids had viral infections recently? Sometimes it feels like we are playing “catch-up” on viral infections after having relatively few at the beginning of the pandemic. And it’s true that the timing and seasonal variations of certain viral infections are off right now.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as “Pink Eye”, is characterized by the inflammation of the conjunctiva – the thin, transparent layer covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. This inflammation causes the eye to appear pink or reddish, hence the name.
The Zika Virus is a virus transmitted through mosquitoes which can cause fever, rash, joint pain and pink eye. In most people, this illness is self-limiting with a duration of about one week and without long term consequences in most cases.
Influenza, also known as the seasonal flu, occurs from a virus which can cause mild to severe symptoms depending on the strain of virus contracted. Each year the severity of the illness varies, but every year it kills.
The stomach flu, also known as acute gastroenteritis, is caused by one of several types of viruses. Viruses such as rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, and norovirus cause symptoms of frequent loose stool, nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramping. Typically, the illness lasts no more than a week and treatment is aimed at symptom management and hydration.
