What's Going Around: Treating Croup, Allergies

The Muscogee Creek Nation says there are a few things Going Around Green Country right now.

The Indian Health Center down in Eufaula is dealing with croup. That's a virus that mostly affects children.

It causes a "barky" cough, especially at night. Symptoms usually last about a week.

Nurse Kenda Round said humidified air can help. She also suggests having the child sit in a steamy bathroom or go out into the cool, night air when they start coughing.

Antibiotics are only necessary if the child develops a secondary infection. But doctors may prescribe steroids or nebulized broncho-dilators.

Round said it's important for parents to monitor their children, particularly watching for things like difficulty swallowing, rapid breathing or a bluish coloring of the skin or lips.

At the Sapulpa Indian Health Center, Dr. Kathryn Zackery said she's dealing with a lot of allergies.

You know the symptoms--the sneezing, sinus drainage, itchy eyes and scratchy throat. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do shy of taking a daily antihistamine.

If it gets really bad, doctors may prescribe a nasal steroid, which they say is very effective.

Dr. Zackery said, if you deal with allergies a lot, you may want to get tested for specific allergens. She said, if you know what triggers them, you can begin to avoid those things.