The Los Angeles Times – Sonali Kohli
“It’s a few months into the school year. Homework is keeping everyone up too late, the weather is kind of starting to change and flu season is just about here. It’s an unseasonably warm fall overall, but that doesn’t mean the flu isn’t coming. Education Matters spoke to pediatricians and parents in Los Angeles to ask about their concerns, and to get the medical answers. Yes, flu season is a thing. In the summer and fall it’s more common to see enterovirus infections, which cause flu-like symptoms, in addition to vomiting and diarrhea. In the fall and winter, there are more rhinovirus infections, which cause the common cold and cough symptoms. A number of factors probably contribute to why the viruses spread so much during these months: Several respiratory viruses thrive in cold weather, viruses appear in annual cycles, kids might be in closer contact because school has begun, or because they’re kept inside during rain or cold.”(more)