Monday Update September 16th

We are seeing some kids with fevers and congestion.
 Some of the fevers have lasted for four days or so, but the kids don't seem too worrisome. If the fever continues into day 5, they need to be seen.
 If the fever does not respond to meds or the child is super fussy, I would want them seen sooner.

Below is the link to my blog post on fevers
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/03/all-about-fevers.html

There are also lots of coughs and colds.
Last week many of the kids seemed to have labored breathing with a croupy cough. Any time you have labored respirations your child should be evaluated.

I am hoping that the infant flu vaccine will come this week.
I will let you know.

Have a healthy week
Nurse Judy

September 9th Monday Update

This morning when I looked at my Monday pile of charts I knew that the slow season was over.

There were lots of  calls about fevers and coughs,
I had a few kids with vomiting and diarrhea.
There was one case of croup that ended up in the ER.
There is definitely some RSV around  (which will present as terrible congestion/ cough/fever)
I have some patients with hand foot mouth, and they report that their schools are sending out notices about it. I personally have not had tons of calls about this lately...but it is out there.

With the hot weather I also had the expected calls about heat rashes, bug bites and kids falling all over the place.

 Last week,we got in our first shipment of the "big kid" inject able flu vaccine.( I am getting my flu shot tomorrow!)
 We are still waiting for the infant doses that are for babies under the age of 3.
 Hopefully it will be here next week. I will post the information as soon as it arrives.


There is a recall out there for the Infant Motrin
http://www.motrin.com/infantnews?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Additional+Infants+Motrin+Recall&utm_term=infants%20motrin%20recall%202013&utm_content=Recall%7Cmkwid%7Cs7RY4Uqjk_dt%7Cpcrid%7C28191135124


Nothing dangerous, but do check any that you have to make sure you don't have the lot numbers in question.


Be well,
Nurse Judy

Tuesday September 3rd update

We were flailing around in here today after the 3 day weekend, so thanks to everyone for  their patience if you encountered busy signals or long wait times.

Towards the end of last week, many of the calls were related to all sorts of rashes.
There are a few cases of hand foot mouth.

This week most of the issues were cough and cold related.
We had one positive test for RSV ( a nasty cold that usually shows up in the fall and winter, I will do a post on it for the nurse Judy blog one of these weeks)

We still do not have the injectable flu shots. I will let you know when it arrives.

We are also completely out of the PPD/ TB tests.
There is a nation wide shortage.
I am trying to get some answers from the health department for guidance about this.
 Currently the adult immunization clinic on Grove street has a limited supply that they will administer to patients over the age of 13. It is $40 from them.

Stay well,

Nurse Judy

Tahoe air quality

We have been getting a lot of calls from families who were planning on heading up to Tahoe area for the long weekend.
Nurse Jen did some calling around to get the scoop from a doctor friend of hers who lives up in Truckee

The air quality is fairly poor. If your plans are flexible it probably makes sense to go up there another time when you can fully enjoy it.
You certainly would not want to go up there and do any out door activities.
I would be especially cautious if anyone in the family has asthma.


We will be closed on Monday for Labor day.
If you need to be seen call PERC  387-9293

Enjoy your weekend

Judy

Monday update August 26th

Most of our kids are back to school and I have heard of some kids with fever, but the acute care calls are fairly mellow today.

I have a few patients with loose stools and vomiting and a few with coughs and colds.

In preparation for the winter/ flu season we do have flu mist in stock. ( for folks over 2)
I am told we will get the rest of our flu shots some time in September..I will update the supply status here.

Be Well,
~Nurse Judy

Monday update/ August 19th

Many of our patients are back in school today. It seems so early!
Most of our patients seem reasonably well this week ( I am knocking on wood)

This morning in my pile of Monday charts the big winner was.....diarrhea.
There were half a dozen or so babies with very frequent stools who seem to be otherwise well.

We had one patient in the office with Hand Foot Mouth ( there is rarely just one...stay tuned)
We are still very booked up with well child checkups

I just did a blog post on this season's Flu Vaccine ( check the nurse judy blog for that one) but for the rest of the season, this will be where you should check for your flu updates.
I will keep you in the loop with vaccine availability as well as any other relevant Flu info.

Currently we have the Flu mist in stock.
This is the live vaccine that is given into the nose.
It is indicated for anyone over the age of two.

As soon as we get our injectable vaccine I will let you know.
Be Well,
Judy

Monday update 8/5/2013

We are seeing a smattering of little ailments.
There are mild fevers, colds and coughs, rashes, and some ear infections.
That being said, although we are LOADED with check ups and newborns, the acute care calls and sick kid visits are very manageable. For the most part folks don't seem too worried or sick enough that they need to come in.
(That will change as soon as school begins, I am sure)

We will be getting the first batch of the FLU MIST soon.
I will put it here in the blog as soon as we actually receive it.

The injectable flu vaccine usually comes around the end of August.
I will do a post about the different options in a week or so.

Stay well, enjoy the last bits of summer.
Judy