Fall Illnesses in Children: When to Call Us at Bay Street Pediatrics

As children return to school, daycare, sports, and after-school activities, fall also brings an increase in common childhood illnesses. For many Connecticut families, September marks the beginning of another season of runny noses, coughs, sore throats, fevers, and stomach bugs.

Most fall illnesses in children are caused by viruses and get better with rest, fluids, and time. But as a parent, it can be difficult to know when your child’s symptoms are something you can manage at home and when you should call us at Bay Street Pediatrics.

At Bay Street Pediatrics in Westport, Connecticut, we want families to feel confident knowing what to watch for and when to reach out for medical advice.

Common Fall Illnesses in Children

Children can experience many different illnesses during the fall. Some of the most common include:

• Common colds and respiratory viruses
• Influenza (the flu)
• RSV and bronchiolitis
• COVID-19
• Strep throat
• Ear infections
• Viral stomach illnesses
• Asthma and wheezing triggered by respiratory infections
• Pneumonia

Because many of these illnesses can look alike initially, paying attention to your child’s overall behavior, breathing, hydration, and symptoms is often the most important, rather than focusing on the diagnosis you suspect.

Colds and Respiratory Viruses

A runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sneezing, and sore throat are extremely common once children return to school. Young children may have multiple respiratory infections during the school year.

Most colds are mild and improve on their own. The most important thing to watch for are changes in breathing or hydration.

Call us if your child:

• Is breathing faster than usual
• Is working hard to breathe
• Has persistent wheezing or noisy breathing
• Is not drinking normally
• Is urinating significantly less than usual
• Has a fever that concerns you (we can discuss appropriate treatment of fever)
• Is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
• Seems to be getting worse instead of better

For infants and young children, it is especially important to monitor breathing and fluid intake because they can become dehydrated or develop breathing difficulties more quickly.

Flu Symptoms in Children

Influenza, or the flu, is another common fall and winter illness. Flu symptoms in children can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Body aches
• Significant fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea (in some children).

If your child develops symptoms that you suspect may be influenza, contact us at Bay Street Pediatrics, particularly if their symptoms are significant.

Antiviral medication may be recommended for some children and is generally most effective when started early.

Can the flu be prevented?

Yes. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most children and is an important way to reduce the risk of influenza and its complications. Click here to schedule your visit at Bay Street Pediatrics’ drive thru flu clinics

We can also help your family understand current recommendations for flu vaccination and other routine childhood immunizations.

RSV in Babies and Young Children

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is particularly important for infants and young children. It may begin with symptoms that look like an ordinary cold but can sometimes progress to bronchiolitis, with coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, or difficulty feeding.

When your baby is sick, pay close attention to how they are breathing and feeding, not just how much they are coughing.

Contact us if your baby:

• Is breathing faster than normal
• Is working harder to breathe
• Is having difficulty feeding because of congestion or breathing
• Is having fewer wet diapers
• Seems unusually tired or less responsive

Seek emergency medical care if your child is struggling to breathe, has blue or gray discoloration around the lips or face, or is difficult to wake.

We highly recommend that all babies under the age of 8months have protective antibodies for prevention of RSV. Speak to us at your appointment about the importance of this protection and click here for more information from the AAP

Strep Throat in Children

Not every sore throat is strep throat. Most sore throats in young children are caused by viruses.

Strep throat is more common in school-aged children and may cause:

• Significant sore throat
• Fever
• Painful swallowing
• Swollen or tender glands in the neck
• Red or swollen tonsils
• White patches on the tonsils
• A fine, sandpaper-like rash

A cough and runny nose are more commonly associated with a viral infection than with Strep.

If your child has a significant sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing, contact us at Bay Street Pediatrics. We can determine whether your child should be examined or tested for strep.

Ear Infections After a Cold

A cold can sometimes lead to an ear infection, particularly in younger children.

Because babies and toddlers cannot always tell you that their ear hurts, you may notice:

• Increased fussiness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pulling or rubbing the ear
• Fever
• Decreased appetite
• Drainage from the ear

If your child has significant ear pain, persistent fever, ear drainage, or symptoms that are getting worse, contact us.

Not every ear infection requires antibiotics. We can determine the appropriate treatment based on your child’s age, symptoms, and examination.

Vomiting and Diarrhea: Preventing Dehydration

Stomach viruses are also common once children return to school and daycare.

When a child is vomiting or has diarrhea, the primary concern is dehydration.

Try offering small amounts of fluid frequently. A child who is vomiting may tolerate a few sips every few minutes better than a large drink.

Call us if your child:

• Cannot keep fluids down
• Is urinating much less frequently
• Has a very dry mouth
• Has no tears when crying
• Is unusually sleepy
• Has blood in the vomit or stool
• Has severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Has symptoms that are worsening or not improving

Young infants can become dehydrated more quickly, so contact us at Bay Street Pediatrics with concerns about feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased number of wet diapers.

Fall Illnesses and Asthma

Fall can be a particularly challenging time for children with asthma or recurrent wheezing. Respiratory viruses, changes in weather, and environmental triggers can contribute to asthma symptoms.

If your child has asthma, make sure your family has an up-to-date asthma action plan and understands when to use prescribed medications.

Call us if:

• Your child’s coughing or wheezing is increasing
• Your child is waking at night because of coughing
• Your child is having more frequent asthma symptoms
• You are needing rescue medication more often than directed
• Your child’s breathing appears more difficult than usual

When Should I Call our Providers at Bay Street Pediatrics?

One of the most common questions parents ask is: “When should I call the pediatrician about my child’s fever, cough, or cold?”

There isn’t always one specific temperature or number of days that determines whether a child needs to be seen. Your child’s age, medical history, symptoms, and overall appearance all matter.

When in doubt, call.

If your child isn’t acting like themselves, isn’t drinking normally, seems unusually sleepy, is having trouble breathing, or you simply feel that something isn’t right, your pediatric provider can help determine what to do next.

Seek immediate medical attention for:

• Significant difficulty breathing
• Blue, gray, or pale discoloration around the lips or face
• Severe dehydration
• Inability to drink
• Unresponsiveness or difficulty waking
• A seizure
• Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
• Any situation in which you believe your child needs emergency care

How Can Parents Prevent Fall Illnesses?

While it isn’t possible to prevent every childhood illness, families can take simple steps to reduce the spread of infections.

Encourage your children to:

• Wash their hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover coughs and sneezes with their elbow
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, and water bottles
• Get adequate sleep
• Stay well hydrated
• Stay home when they are too sick to participate comfortably in normal activities
• Keep routine childhood vaccinations up to date
• Receive the seasonal flu vaccine when recommended

For children with asthma or other chronic conditions, follow the prevention and treatment plan recommended by our pediatric providers.

Your Westport Pediatrician Is Here to Help

Fall is an exciting time for children, but it also brings an increase in childhood illnesses. Knowing what symptoms to watch for can help parents feel more prepared when their child gets sick.

At Bay Street Pediatrics, we partner with families throughout Westport and the surrounding Fairfield County communities to provide compassionate, comprehensive pediatric care from infancy through adolescence.

If you’re wondering whether your child’s fever, cough, sore throat, breathing, vomiting, or other symptoms require medical attention, call us as we are available 24/7 to support you and your families. Sometimes a quick conversation is all you need to know what to do next. We pride ourselves on being available to you!

Bay Street Pediatrics — caring for Westport-area children and families through every season.