Week of August 31- Exudative Pharyngitis, Mamey Pulp Contamination

• Dr. Clifton Cole has seen a few cases of intestinal flu in his Palm Springs office. He says these were viral infections, and responded well to fluids, rest and some over the counter medications. Dehydration is always a risk with the flu, especially in the summer heat...so remember to drink plenty of water. Some doctors have already received their flu shots, so ask if you are ready to get your vaccination.

• Children in Rancho Mirage are still coming in for treatment of swimmer's ear this week. "Patients need to have proper external ear hygiene after swimming," says Dr. Arturo Quintanilla. Using an over the counter swimmer's ear solution or rubbing alcohol in each ear at bedtime can cut down on the infections. Dr. Quintanilla's office is also busy with back-to-school physicals, immunizations, hearing and vision checks.

• Exudative pharyngitis has popped up again in Palm Desert. Teens to those in their early 20's appear to be most at risk. Urinary tract infections are more common in the summer. And sinusitis triggered by allergies is also an issue according to Dr. Andrew Cyrus.

• Viral sore throats are the most common complaint to Physician's Assistant Mitch Claire in Dr. Arthur Davis' Indio office. Antibiotics aren't effective here. Teens and older adults will have to suffer with these symptoms for at least a week.

• Seasonal allergies are causing problems for patients at the Mecca clinic. Dust mites, molds, animal allergens and pollen are most plentiful right now. Cleaning non-porous surfaces with a diluted bleach solution, and covering all bedding with dust mite covers can help. Also, Dr. Randolph Gibbs is on the lookout for salmonella typhi caused by contaminated frozen mamey pulp. "Persons with typhoid fever usually have fever as high as 104 degrees, feel weak, have stomach pains, headache and muscle aches," says Dr. Gibbs. "Patients may present with rose colored spots and the infection is confirmed with blood tests." The illness can last up for four weeks, and can be passed to other patients.

• Kids heading back to school are coming in to Dr. Erica Ruiz's La Quinta practice for their immunizations and well-exams. And people are bringing a little something back with them as they finish up their summer vacations. "There are some things parents and kids can do to make the transition back to school easier," suggests Dr. Ruiz.

-Getting 8-10 hours of sleep for school age kids is important.

-Keeping the bed time consistent through the week and weekends helps in alleviating fatigue at school.

-Keeping a heathy breakfast before heading off also helps keep the brain active until lunch hour hits.

-As always getting back to a routine includes less screen time daily. It should be kept under two hours daily to prevent obesity, attention issues and illness in the adult years.

• A severe upper respiratory infection is making the rounds in Rancho Mirage. Dr. Sara Azar says it's very likely whooping cough. Adult patients have reported severe fits of coughing and don't always have the "whoop" that gives the disease its name. "Initially symptoms are suggestive of a mild upper respiratory infection, with cough, runny nose, and sneezing. The severity of the cough increases during the second stage of the disease. Like all upper respiratory infections it can get complicated with pneumonia," says Dr. Azar. "Early antibiotics seem to shorten the course, but the cough is still tough to treat. Booster vaccination is still being recommended by the CA Department of Public Health due to the statewide epidemic." She's also seen shingles in the office this week. It's a painful rash that appears in a bandlike fashion on the body which is caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus. It can spread to the eyes and put your vision at risk, so it's important to get treatment early. "Shingles vaccine is good preventive medicine, especially for older patients who are more likely to have an outbreak." Seasonal allergies are a continuing issue this week as well.

• Sore throats with fever are back this week for children in Cathedral City. Dr. Vivien Pacold suspects a viral pharyngitis is going around. "With all the outdoor activities I have been seeing complaints of skin lesions changing such as moles," says Dr. Pacold. "If color, size, or border changes in the moles is occurring, consult with your physician, so if necessary, a referral can be made to a dermatologist to see if it is skin cancer."

• Urinary tract infections are still going around among adults in Cathedral City due to dry heat,. Dr. Seema Bir also says for some reason she's seen more cases of acne particularly in adolescents. Maybe trying to clear things up before going back to class?