Wondering what's going around this fall? Elizabeth C. Knapp, MD, Pediatrician at ARC Far West, talks about the illnesses ARC Pediatricians have been treating in this recent interview with KXAN News about the current availability of pediatric ICU beds in Central Texas.
"We are seeing lots of sick children," said Dr. Knapp, Associate Pediatrics Chief at Austin Regional Clinic.
What are children catching?
"We saw a number of COVID-19 cases through June and July. That number has drifted down, but it was quickly replaced by all the other viruses that we have seen," Dr. Knapp said. That includes RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), strep throat, the cold, and the flu as school has started, she said.
"I've been in practice in general pediatrics for the last 20 years, and it's been a very unusual season to see cases of influenza in August and September," she added. She said the return to school with no masks is partly behind the increase.
Dr. Knapp said our re-exposed immune systems are currently building back protection, especially in children. "And so now it's going to take some of us getting sick before we have that … protection from our immune system to keep them safe," she explained. Especially because there's no telling when this surge will dissipate, added Dr. Knapp.
ARC Pediatrics
ARC Pediatricians offer a full range of services for patients from birth through 18 years. We offer appointments to fit your schedule and lifestyle, including regular clinic visits, televisits, Same-Day Visits, After Hours appointments, and 24/7 phone nurses. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an ARC Pediatrician, call the clinic near you or make an appointment online. As a reminder, as a parent or caregiver for a minor, if you seek access to your loved ones' health information in ARC MyChart, visit ARCMyChartproxy.com for guidance.