02/19/2026
Hi families ❤️
I wanted to take a few minutes to check in, because we are seeing a lot of illness right now in our pediatric office , including flu, RSV, COVID, and strep, and in some cases, children are testing positive for more than one at the same time.
I know this season can feel overwhelming and scary as a parent, especially when your child is coughing, miserable, or running high fevers.
Please trust your instincts and have your child evaluated right away if you notice:
Trouble breathing
Persistent or worsening cough
High fevers with a child who looks very unwell
Signs of dehydration (dry lips, not drinking, less urination)
Very imortant ❤️ we also want families to be aware of something we’re seeing more often with influenza A and B: viral myositis, which can cause significant muscle soreness , especially in the legs.
If your child is complaining of body aches, lower extremity pain, or refusing to walk, it’s important to:
• Keep them very well hydrated
• Use ibuprofen (Motrin) for inflammation and pain relief (if appropriate for age)
• Call your pediatrician for guidance or evaluation
We have had children needing emergency care simply due to the severity of pain ( eho h is inflammation of the virus in the muscles, which can can go on cause kidney issues) and dehydration that can accompany the flu, and we want to prevent that whenever possible.
Most of all , please know you are not alone. We are here, we are seeing this every day, and we are happy to help you navigate when it’s something that can be managed at home versus when it needs medical attention.
Sending love and health to all of our families ❤️
— Dr. Hannan Alsahlani
Serenity Pediatrics