CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- We checked in with local pediatricians' offices to see what's keeping kids home from school this week.
Health-care providers at Summersville Pediatrics have seen some cases of strep throat. They're also seeing kids with sore throat that's caused by a virus. The symptoms are similar, but if it's a virus it has to run its course, while strep is a bacteria treated with antibiotics. They've also seen some kids with hand, foot and mouth disease.
In Huntington, doctors at University Pediatrics are seeing kids with viral syndrome, which can be caused by any number of viruses, causing vomiting and runny noses.
In Portsmouth, Dr. Rebecca Schoettle is seeing a lot of kids with tonsillitis, strep throat and bronchitis. Ear infections are also a problem.
The new nurse practitioner at Jackson Area Family Practice and Pediatrics in Jackson, Ohio, is seeing a lot of kids with upper respiratory infections, and earaches.
Doctors at Roane General Hospital Medical Clinic in Spencer are also seeing a lot of upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, and coughing.
At Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, doctors are seeing mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, hand-foot-and mouth, and mycoplasma in their pediatric patients.
Mono can cause an array of symptoms including fever, severe fatigue, sore throat and headache. It can take three to four weeks to recover.
Gastroenteritis typically causes low grade fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a virus that causes sores in mouth, and sometimes on the hands & feet. Mycoplasma is a respiratory illness that can cause fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache and fatigue.