Thursday, January 29, 2015

new facebook page

I started this blog years ago when the H1N1 was rampant, patients were flooding the phone system and we needed to figure out a way to get the message out to all of our patients at once.
Since then it has transitioned to a weekly "what's going around"


It is our intention to move that over to our new Noe Valley Pediatrics face book page.
My Nurse Judy Blog with a different topic each week will remain intact


If there is anyone out there who will really miss this venue let me know! Comments welcome.

Unless there is a huge outcry, I plan to put this baby to bed and start posting on the Facebook page.
Looking forward to seeing you on Facebook.
Nurse Judy

Monday, January 26, 2015

Weekly update January 26,2015

We are still seeing the flu, but not is the same crazy numbers that we were seeing 2 weeks ago.
We still have a ton of kids with high fever, vomiting and coughing but they are not coming up positive with the flu test in the office.
I also have seen a huge number of kids with ear infections so far today.

http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2015/01/measles-outbreak-2015.html

To nobody's surprise we are getting a lot of calls about measles.
We have not seen any cases in SF so far. If you are traveling and your child is not fully vaccinated, feel free to call to discuss getting your child protected.


and with all the illnesses going around,here is one more useful post
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2015/01/does-your-kids-still-have-cooties.html


One of our parents told us about a terrific resource out in the community.
The Anahata Integated healing Center in SF is offering Yoga classes for kids that focus on self regulation and impulse control.
For more information call 720-833-8016

Stay healthy!!
Judy

Thursday, January 22, 2015

New eye screening tool in the office

Our office is trying out a new screening tool.
The iscreen can test children as young as one year old for the following issues:
Near sightedness
Ambliopia
Far sightedness
alignment problems
unequal focusing
Abnormal curve of the cornea
unequal pupil size
cataracts

Just like a digital camera the Iscreen vision captures dual images of your child's eyes in seconds.
Images are reviewed by trained technicians and results are sent to the office before you leave.

This is covered by most PPO insurances
If you are an HMO or self pay the cost of the test is $40.

If you are interested in getting this done, ask your doc the next time you are in the office!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Weekly Update January 20th

I hope everyone had a nice 3 day weekend.
I apologize to anyone who had trouble reaching us this weekend or this morning.
 We have switched our computers and phone systems to a new server and we had some serious growing pains this morning with no voice mail and one of our incoming lines out of service.
 I think we are back to up and running, but I very much appreciate our patient patients!

There is a ton of stuff going around, but we had plenty of room to see anyone who wanted an appointment today, so that leads me to believe that for the most part folks are "dealing"
We are still seeing loads of Flu. The type that we are finding in our office test is type A. The flu shot didn't seem to block that one at all.
Other offices are also reporting type B. We haven't seen any of that, so it is possible that our vaccinated population is escaping that strain.
The Flu kids have congestion, aches and high fever. Some have considerable belly aches.
 We also seem to have a completely separate tummy bug making the rounds, loads of diarrha and vomiting kids.


Everyone is coughing. The colds go away and the coughs linger for a few more weeks.

I am also seeing croup. The kids wake up in the middle of the night sounding like a seal

Good hand washing everyone, I hope you all stay healthy. Check in as needed.
Judy

Phone issue...ooops

We are back open today Tuesday January 20th after the 3 day weekend.
 We did make a switch to our phone service during the weekend and I am afraid that our voicemail did not transfer seamlessly.
 I apologize for any inconvenience.

I will be back on here with an illness update later on this afternoon.
 Judy

Monday, January 12, 2015

Monday update January 12th

The Flu is here.
We have seen lots of positive tests in here. More than half of the kids were vaccinated.
They all had high fevers. The ones who can talk all had body aches.
Most of the kids had some congestion and wet coughs.
About half of the kids were also vomiting.....which leads me to...

Oh yes, we have another nasty tummy bug out there with LOTS of vomiters.
The difference is the amount of fever.
 If your child has over 103, do call us. It may be worth doing the flu test so that we can get you started on Tamiflu.
 It is a bit scarce, but we have managed to get it for most of the patients who need it.

We also have had a few positive strep throat cases

There are lots of wheezy coughs ( no fever)
All in all today was insanely busy!!!!!

Judy

Monday, January 5, 2015

Monday Update January 5 2015

2015...
Wow.

The maps that are tracking the Flu show increasing cases all over the country. Here in SF we are still considered mild.
We are seeing quite a few kids who look like they have the Flu but the tests are showing up negative.
The symptoms are cough/ congestion/fever.
We have kids with sore throats, but most of the cultures have been negative this week.
I also have quite a few kids with vomiting/diarrhea.
It seems that there are just lots of horrible little viruses going around. A lot of the parents are quite miserable as well.
 I must warn you that the cough has been lingering for a long time after the worst of the illness passes.

We have been having a run on our loaner nebulizers. If you have one that belongs to the office please return it ASAP, we can help you get one from Walgreen's that you can own.

One more thing.
 Dr Schwanke has seen a lot of patients with these cute new pacifiers called WabbaNubs.
He HATES them. He can actually feel the palates being affected by them and strongly prefers the shorter more orthodontic type. Be warned before your patient falls in love with this product, they are awfully appealing until you realize what they are doing to your child's mouth.

Happy New Year and welcome back to all of our returning travelers.
Judy