Doctor Hugh Brainard at the Ingham Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates on Millennium Drive in Lansing says Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is what's going around this week. He says it's a fairly common summer illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include tiredness, a sore throat or fever. The doctor says in a day or two, your child may also get sores or blisters on the hands, feet, mouth and sometimes the buttocks. The blisters may break open and crust over. They usually don't need treatment and in most cases go away in 7 to 10 days. Symptomatic relief includes cool fluids, popsicles and ice cream. Do not give your child acidic or spicy foods and drinks like orange juice. Those can make mouth sores more painful. For pain and fever, give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give them aspirin.

Dr. Thomas Stout at Mount Hope Community Medical Center on South
Cedar Street in Lansing says patients have reported a number of upper respiratory infections in his office. They are usually caused by a virus but he says allergies can make them worse. Symptoms include a cough, wheezing, fever, facial pressure, headache, dental pain and swollen lymph nodes. Treatments include rest, an increase in fluids, Tylenol for fever and headache and throat lozenges for a sore throat. You can also inhale warm, moist air with a humidifier or by taking showers. An upper respiratory infection should clear up in 7 to 10 days, but if symptoms persist, see a doctor.