Week of August 24- Insect Bites, Vomiting & Diarrhea

• Gastroenteritis with cramping and diarrhea is an issue in Palm Desert. Dr. Andrew Cyrus says this is lasting from three to five days. Infants are also starting to come in with croup, though it is fairly mild right now. When parents hear that barking cough, head into the shower. This cough is different than the cough of pertussis because it doesn't go as long, and does truly sound like a dog barking.

• In La Quinta Dr. Stephen Steele is treating sore throats and swollen glands in both kids and adults. This comes with a fever, and can sometimes be strep, which requires antibiotics. If tylenol, gargling, and rest don't do the trick, see a doctor.  A nasty virus causing vomiting and diarrhea is also leaving people down for the count for at least four days. People are getting pretty desperate by day 4, but just hang in there, and try not to get dehydrated.

• A few cases of late summer flu popped up at Dr. Arthur Davis' practice in Indio this week. Physician's assistant Mitchell Claire says it is caused by a virus, and symptoms include a low grade fever, cough, and nasal congestion. Antibiotics are not effective here. He suggests treating the symptoms with over the counter cough and congestion medications along with plenty of fluids. "If fever goes above 101 and/or productive cough develops you need to be seen by a health practitioner," he says.

• At the Mecca Clinic, Dr. Randolph Gibbs says he has seen several cases of recurrent otitis externa or swimmers ear in children and adults. This condition can take acute or chronic forms. It peaks in people 7 to 12 years old and often associated with high humidity, warmer temperatures and hearing aide or hearing protector use. Symptoms include itching, pain and redness of the external ear canal.

• The diarrhea going around La Quinta appears to be viral. Dr. Erica Ruiz says she has not seen the symptoms of salmonella. The best thing to do for viral diarrhea to to keep hydrated, and see a doctor if the area under your tongue is no longer moist, or if the pain in your abdominal region is severe. Most of the time this will go away on its own. As the summer months come to a close, allergies appear to be picking up. If you're having post-nasal drip, Dr. Ruiz recommends an over-the-counter medication first, then seeing your doctor if your symptoms aren't better. "Patients with underlying lung issues like asthma, emphysema and COPD are developing problems again as the allergy season is getting under way. The inhalers that most people were able to scale back on during the summer months are going to become necessary again before getting a continual cough and shortness of breath symptoms," explains Dr. Ruiz.

• This week Dr. Sara Azar's practice in Rancho Mirage saw a sharp increase in the number of upper respiratory infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. A persistent cough with phlegm, a fever, some sore throat, and shortness of breath were all symptoms. Most patients were treated with antibiotics, "but our sicker patients with other health problems actually required hospital admission," Dr. Azar explains. "Remember that you can pick up respiratory infections even in the summer heat so you should still be vigilant about keeping your hands clean and exercising caution around potentially sick people." A number of patients also various insect bites. Spiders, bees, and ants can all cause a severe reaction, so make sure there are no stingers or insect parts in the wound. Elevating the body part, and a cold compress are helpful, too. "Some people have severe allergies which can result in drop in blood pressure and shortness of breath and throat swelling. This is an emergency and 911 should be called," says Dr. Azar. "Patients with severe allergies to insect stings should carry an epinephrine pen for emergencies." The hot and humid weather is also causing dehydration.

• Dehydration is the source of several urinary tract infections treated in Cathedral City. Older patients at Dr. Seema Bir's practice can get confused and disoriented...that's when the dehydration is diagnosed. Sinus infections and swimmer's ear are also common complaints.

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