13abc.com: Breaking News, Weather and SportsWhat's Going Around: Croup, Strep Throat

What's Going Around: Croup, Strep Throat

Now that it's officially fall, doctors are seeing more cool weather illnesses.

An area doctor says he's seeing a lot of sick children right now with two main ailments.     The first is Croup, which he says is usually caused by a virus and creates a narrowing of the child's airway.

Dr. Joseph Perkins at ProMedica Toledo Hospital says the classic sign is a barky, seal-like cough, perhaps a low grade fever, and you may see cold symptoms leading up to that cough. He says it's best to have your child checked out by a doctor in case medication is called for. 

Dr. Perkins says, "Strep throat's going around too, with the children being back in school now. Noticing a lot of the red tonsils, throat soreness upon swallowing, complaining of the lymph nodes in the neck being swollen in the front."  Dr. Perkins says they can do a strep test right there, and if it comes back positive, treat with antibiotics.

As for his adult patients, he says nothing in particular stands out right now, but he is seeing a bug that brings nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Finally, Dr. Perkins says flu season is just about upon us, and he's encouraging everyone, especially pregnant women and the elderly, to get a flu shot if they haven't already.