by Phillip Dawson, MD, FAAP
Now that the students in the Richmond area are (finally!) back to school, all of us couldn’t be less sure about how it’s going to go. Just two short months ago, I was confident that our children could go back to school without too much hassle and masks would be important for staff only. Not anymore.
The COVID-19 delta variant is a significant worry and based on recent data, kids seem more susceptible. Although more children are getting the virus now than during the first few waves, they are not showing signs of becoming any more ill.
As many parents probably experienced this summer, we are seeing an increase in cases of RSV and some flu. While these are usually winter illnesses, wearing masks, the presence of COVID, and the changes to how children are interacting – like returning to school and daycare – have affected when viruses occur. Right now, the majority of our sick patients at West End Pediatrics are sick from these other viruses, and some of the symptoms can be similar to those of COVID. The best thing is to bring your child in for screening should you have any concerns or if your child shows symptoms.
It’s going to be a bit of a roller coaster as we navigate the school year. The best way to keep your children as healthy as possible is for children older than five years of age to wear masks when indoors in public spaces and encourage hand washing. And, for when they do get sick, as all children eventually do as part of building a healthy immune system, we are always here for screening, visits, advice, and help.
If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your pediatrician or contact me at 804-740-6171 or pdawson@ppvkids.com.
Phillip Dawson, MD, is a pediatrics specialist with West End Pediatrics on Patterson Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Dawson has been serving kids and families in Richmond’s West End for over twenty years. Learn more about Dr. Dawson here.
