Wednesday, January 27, 2010

End of January Office Update

1. Infections going around...
  • RSV: we are seeing LOTS of RSV around. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It causes fevers for 4-6 days, congestion, cough, and ear infections. It can also cause wheezing in certain kids, and can occasionally lead to pneumonia. It most often affects younger children under age 3, though we have seen it in some toddlers/ preschoolers/ school aged kids as well.
  • Gastroenteritis (the stomach flu): we are seeing lots of kids with vomiting, many with diarrhea as well. In general these are caused by viruses, and do not require antibiotics. It is important to monitor hydration status for these kids. Signs of dehydration include dry lips, lethargy, significantly decreased urine output, and fast heart rates.
  • Influenza: we have not seen much influenza this month. It typically worsens in February and March. We suspect that there will be a resurgence of H1N1 Influenza this winter, so it is still a good idea to get immunized or receive a booster if you have not already done so.
2. Office Information...
  • Walk-ins: we continue to offer walk-ins starting at 830 AM throughout all of January and February. We hope this helps you as we try to provide easy access to us during the difficult winter months.
  • Blog: we will continue to update our blog with information as we have it. Thanks for reading.
Stay warm and stay healthy!
- esp

No comments:

Post a Comment