Respiratory Illness

Fall and Winter: Cold, Flu, and RSV.

During the fall and winter, flu and other respiratory viruses spread around the United States, making millions of people sick. Learn what these respiratory illnesses have in common so that you can protect yourself and your family.

Live healthy! 
Good sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise can help reduce the risk of getting sick.
Get the flu vaccine. 
The flu vaccine is safe for everyone six months and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Remember, the flu vaccine is a covered benefit for Texas Children’s Health Plan members!
Wash your hands often. 
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Keep good respiratory hygiene. 
Instead of using your hands, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stop the spread. 
If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others to keep them healthy.

If you have questions, talk to your doctor today!

If your child has any of the following symptoms, call their provider or seek urgent care:

High fever:
- 104°F or higher for any child.
- 102°F or higher for children three months to three years.
- 100.4°F for children under three months.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Difficulty eating or drinking fluids.
Any symptoms that last longer than 10 days or worsening over time.

Spring and Summer: Pharyngitis/Sore Throat and Strep Throat.

During the spring and summer, pharyngitis/sore throat and strep throat are common respiratory illnesses that spread around the United States. Learn what they have in common so that you can protect yourself and your family.

A sore throat, or “pharyngitis,” is a scratchy, painful feeling in the back of your throat when the tissue lining your throat becomes inflamed. It is caused by viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or even sleeping with your mouth open.

Viruses, like those that cause colds or flu, are the most common cause. These viruses are not strep throat. Only around 1 in 10 adults and 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms may start with a raspy feeling in your throat or pain when you swallow or talk. Most symptoms go away with home care within a few days, but be sure to call your provider if it lasts longer than a week.

If an infection is causing your sore throat, some other symptoms include:

Fever
Headache
Swollen lymph nodes
Cough
Runny nose
Redness or swelling in your tonsils
White patches, spots or streaks in your throat and tonsils

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by the group A Streptococcus bacteria. It is most common in children aged 5-15 years old. A sore throat can be mistaken for strep throat, so it’s good to be checked out by your provider if you have symptoms of either illness.

Strep throat is contagious, can be spread through close contact with others, and is treated with antibiotics. If you or your child are prescribed antibiotics, it is important to finish the entire course of the medication even if symptoms start to improve.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include pain when swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, white patches on the tonsils, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes on the front of the neck, or a sore throat that started quickly and may look red. It usually takes 2-5 days after exposure to become ill with strep throat.

Spring and Summer: Allergies

During the spring and summer, seasonal allergies—also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis—affect many people. Pollen is the most common seasonal allergen, and is made up of the grains or tiny seeds from flowering plants, trees and grasses.

If you have asthma, please note that pollen exposure can also cause asthma attacks if pollen is asthma trigger for you. Click here for more detailed information on how to manage asthma.

To treat allergy symptoms, you can use some over-the-counter remedies like oral antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and oral decongestants. If home remedies are not helping your symptoms, you can speak to your provider to have skin or blood tests to find out which allergens trigger your symptoms. They may then recommend treatment like allergy shots (allergy immunotherapy).

If you have hay fever or allergic rhinitis, you may see symptoms like:

Sneezing
Coughing
Runny nose
Red, watery, and/or itchy eyes

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers. 
Avoid outdoor activities like lawn mowing and weed pulling, try to stay indoors on windy days, and don’t hang laundry outside.
Take extra steps when pollen counts are high. 
If pollen counts are high, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms begin and avoid going outside in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
Keep indoor air clean. 
Use high-efficiency air filters, keep indoor air dry with dehumidifiers, and clean your floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Don’t feel well?

Not sure if you’re sick with the cold, flu, or something else?

Call our 24-Hour Helpline at 1-800-686-3831. Our registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to offer advice about your symptoms. They can also let you know if you need to go to the doctor right away.
Skip the ER! Click here to learn about your other options for getting the care you need.

Need a ride to the doctor?

We can arrange transportation at no cost to your next doctor’s visit or to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy. Click here to schedule your next ride!

Stay on track with Well-Child Checkups!

Going to Well-Child Checkups is one of the best ways to ensure your child gets the care they need to be and stay healthy. Visit our Infant and Child Health Care webpage to learn more about these important visits.

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Stay healthy all year round!