Week of March 2- Ringworm, Allergies
- In Palm Springs, Dr. Clifton Cole says he's really seeing an increased number of respiratory infections. The good news here is that it's not too severe, but if you have underlying conditions like asthma or emphysema, it might be a good idea to call your doctor if symptoms last more than two days...or if you are running a fever or have body aches. Drinking fluids and staying hydrated is also very important.
- For the second week in a row, RSV in infants continues to be a problem in Rancho Mirage. Pediatrician Dr. Arturo Quintanilla says this can be especially dangerous to preemies. Watch out for symptoms that start like the common cold, but then quickly turns into high fevers, wheezing and shortness of breath. Kids with these symptoms need to be seen right away. The winds kicked up spring pollen, and adult patients reported itchy watery eyes, clear sinus drainage and post nasal drip in Rancho Mirage. Dr. Sara Azar suggests taking preventive measures like keeping your windows closed and washing your hair to get the pollen out! Asthma exacerbations are on the rise, with seasonal allergies as a common trigger. And viral upper respiratory infections continue to come in. Antibiotics are reserved only for those cases where development of bacterial bronchitis is suspected.
- In the east part of the valley Dr. Randolph Gibbs says many health care providers are still treating many cases of sinusitis and bronchitis.
- Dr. Erica Ruiz says she's seeing one strain of viral gastroenteritis in La Quinta that is "one mean bugger!" It comes with some severe vomiting and diarrhea that lasts about 36 hours. Some patients have gotten so dehydrated they needed to get fluids through an IV. Wash your hands every time you go out and before eating to help prevent against it. Keeping up with allergy medications like Claritin and Zyrtec also helps to prevent sinus infections and asthma flare-ups. Dr. Ruiz says "keep this up while our desert is looking as gorgeous as it is with wildflowers, blooming trees and lots of grass."
- The predominant infectious problem in Palm Desert this week? A bronchial infection with a nasty cough, mucus production and fever. Just coughing on someone else is all it takes to spread this one. Dr. Stephen Steele tells us this illness has replaced the flu as the most prevalent illness in that part of the valley.
- Pediatrician Dr. Vivien Pacold reports several cases of ringworm among young kids in Cathedral City. Most children coming in with ringworm are about eight years old. She's also noticed cases of rotavirus going around, and reminds parents to watch their kids playing outside in the garden, especially around azalea bushes, because allergies are picking up.
Watch "What's Going Around" every Tuesday evening on KPSP Local 2 News at 6:00 p.m. and every Wednesday morning on KPSP Local 2 This Morning at 6:45 a.m.
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