About

Rhonda Patt is a pediatrician at Charlotte Pediatric Clinic and the mother of 2 adorable children.

  • Kids and norovirus

    Q: I have read about recent outbreaks of norovirus in nursing homes around Charlotte. Does it also affect children? Is there any way to prevent it? Norovirus is a type of virus that causes about 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States each year. It affects both adults and children. Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through care facilities such as day cares and nursing homes. The illness spreads by exposure to food or objects that have been contami...

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    Feb. 14, 2012 | Permalink

  • Should you switch to almond milk?

    Q: I have read that almond milk is healthier than cow's milk. Is it safe to switch the entire family to almond milk? Almond milk has gained popularity recently as a substitute for cow's milk. In the past, soy milk was a more popular milk replacement; however, recent concerns about high levels of phytoestrogens (or estrogen-like substances) found in soy products have led people to explore other options. Almond milk has many positive attributes. It is lower in calories than cow's milk and...

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    Feb. 07, 2012 | Permalink

  • Getting rid of head lice

    Q: I was just notified of an outbreak of head lice in my daughter's classroom. How will I know if my daughter also has lice? And if she does, are there any effective natural remedies or do I have to use traditional pesticide treatments? Head lice infestations are exceedingly common, affecting 6-12 million children in the United States per year. Fall is the peak season for head lice; however, there are also frequent outbreaks when children return to school following winter break. Parents s...

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    Jan. 24, 2012 | Permalink

  • When to take out those tonsils

    Q. Since the school year has started, my son has had strep throat three times. When should we start thinking about having his tonsils removed? Tonsils are collections of lymphatic tissue on both sides of the back of the mouth. Tonsils can become enlarged or infected. Signs of tonsillar infection, or tonsillitis, include fever, sore throat, white plaques on the tonsils and difficulty swallowing. Tonsillitis can be caused by certain bacteria (such as strep) or viruses. Surgical removal of th...

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    Jan. 03, 2012 | Permalink

  • Rapid flu test: Not always right

    Q. I recently took my 12-year-old daughter to her pediatrician. She was having fever, chills and body aches. I had expected her to get a flu test, but the doctor did not recommend the test because she said it would not be very accurate this early in the flu season. Is this true? Influenza is a viral illness. Common symptoms include: * Fever * Body aches * Sore throat * Runny nose * Cough Several other viruses can cause "flu-like" illnesses with the same symptoms: RSV, rhinovirus, adeno...

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    Dec. 16, 2011 | Permalink

  • When your young child has body odor

    Q. My 6-year-old daughter is starting to have body odor. Is it safe for her to wear deodorant? Is this normal, or should I be concerned? Adult body odor occurs when bacteria under the arms break down a certain type of fat that is secreted by apocrine glands in this area. Apocrine glands do not form until puberty, which explains why children do not typically have body odor. It is normal for girls to develop body odor between the ages of 8-12. For boys, the onset is a little later: 9-14. W...

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    Dec. 06, 2011 | Permalink

  • Is it food poisoning? Or a stomach bug?

    Recently, our entire family had vomiting and diarrhea after eating at a local restaurant. How do we know if we had food poisoning or if this was a stomach virus? Are there any long-term concerns regarding food poisoning? Food poisoning is caused by eating foods that have been contaminated with certain types of bacteria or toxins. The symptoms of food poisoning are similar to the symptoms of stomach viruses and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. Food poisoning ty...

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    Nov. 29, 2011 | Permalink

  • Tylenol vs. Advil for fever?

    Q: When my child has a fever, is it better to alternate Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen)? And if so, how often should each one be given? Fever is one of the most common symptoms of illness in children. When discussing fever, it is important to stress that fever is a part of the body's immune system. Fever is not dangerous but is a sign of an underlying illness. Typically, children may experience some discomfort with a fever. For this reason, fever reducers or "antipyretics" ma...

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    Nov. 09, 2011 | Permalink

  • Is circumcision necessary?

    Q. My husband and I are expecting a baby boy in February. We have been reading about circumcision and are undecided. From a medical standpoint, do pediatricians recommend circumcision? It is great that you are gathering information about circumcision to enable you to make an informed decision. The topic of circumcision is often controversial. Many anti-circumcision groups sponsor websites and demonstrations to discourage the routine practice of circumcision. On the other hand, circumcision...

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    Oct. 25, 2011 | Permalink

  • Can your teen have breast cancer?

    My teenage daughter has noticed a lump in her breast. Should I be concerned about breast cancer? Although breast cancer is a common disease, it is exceptionally rare in teenagers. The most common cause of breast lumps in teenage girls is something called fibrocystic breast changes. This condition is benign. Often, teens may also mistake normal breast development for dangerous lumps. If a breast lump is painful, warm or red, then it could be caused by a breast infection and may require anti...

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    Oct. 11, 2011 | Permalink
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