Several of my child's classmates have been coming down with the stomach flu.

What causes it, and what can I so to treat it? "Stomach flu" or gastroenteritis is almost always caused by the Rotavirus during the winter months. It is unrelated to the Influenza virus and, therefore, is not usually referred to as the "flu" by medical professionals. It presents with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea about one week after exposure. It is spread by hand-to-mouth contact and can often be prevented by good hand washing, not a common habit in younger children. Although most children recover without complication, it is important to prevent dehydration. To accomplish this most physicians recommend using electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte or Gerber Electrolyte Solution for 12 to 24 hours after onset of symptoms. If your child continues to experience vomiting or has more than three or four watery stools per day, he or she should be seen by the doctor. Some children will require intravenous fluids for a short period of time. There is no specific medication for Rotavirus infection. Occasionally Promethazine by injection or rectal suppository helps stop the vomiting. The diarrhea does not seem to respond to antidiarrheal medications. Therefore, the main treatment is dietary, and this will require help from the doctor and may require more than one office visit.

Howard M. Savitt, M.D. Diplomate,
American Board of Pediatrics Member,
South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

How can I tell the difference between a cold and allergy symptoms?

Both may involve a stuffy or runny nose, but allergies are more likely to result in itching of the eyes, nose, throat, roof of the mouth, and ears. There is generally a watery clear nasal discharge, and there may be worsening of symptoms when in a certain area of the home due to dust mites or mold, or outdoors during pollen seasons.

Sometimes cold symptoms will linger for weeks, involve thickened or discolored mucus, or a "wet" cough. This may signal the onset of a common complication of both allergies and colds: sinusitis (infection of one or more sinuses). This may require treatment with an antibiotic, decongestants, and expectorants.

Joyce J. Schoettler, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.

I have been suffering from asthma and hay fever for many years. My five-year-old son has had eczema since infancy and has lately developed hay fever like symptoms including stuffy nose and sneezing. Is there anything I can so to help prevent asthma from developing?

It is important to find out the cause of his symptoms. An allergist can do a skin testing to find out his allergies. Avoidance of allergens such as dust mites, animals, and foods from infancy can help his current symptoms and may decrease the chance of him developing asthma later. Studies have also demonstrated that the allergic children given a certain anti-histamine regularly develop asthma less frequently. Other studies have demonstrated that allergen immunotherapy during childhood can help decrease the chance of asthma development.

Charles H. Song, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Allergy and Immunology
Member, South Bay Independent Physicians Medical Group, Inc.