Monday update december 16th

The winter illnesses are here with a vengeance.
We are seeing a lot of RSV and actually have one baby in the hospital with it.
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/11/rsv.html

If your child is still able to drink and has normal color and okay energy, then they are probably managing to work through this nasty virus. When they are having too much trouble with the breathing to properly eat, it is time to get them looked at.
For the record...I HATE RSV.

The ER says that it is also getting some positive FLU tests. We have seen quite a few kids who looked like they may be FLU candidates. Now that we know it is here we will start testing. I don't have a good sense of what the classic symptoms are for this season's FLU yet. I will update here.
Every season is a bit different.

We are seeing strep throat. If you have a patient with a sore throat, fever, aches, stinky breath  it is worth doing a swab to see if it is strep.

There are lots of kids with tummy aches and diarrhea. Some of them are vomiting as well
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/03/tummy-bugs-101.html

Safe Travels to all of you who are going away for the holidays.
Nurse Judy

Monday Update December 1st

Very busy day at the office...so sorry for longer then expected wait times to talk with the nurses today. So many lingering cold and cough symptoms this week. Get your humidifiers going at night, warm baths before bed and lots of fluids to help with symptoms. It seems to be hanging on for most people for 2 weeks.
There has beem some lingering tummy bug issues, watch for dehydration and use the BRAT diet.  If combined with vomiting, start slowly with clear fluids.
It is going to be very cold this wk so bundle everyone up, and cover your plants!
Hope everyone had a lovely holiday and call us if you need us

Monday update November 25th

We have an odd virus going around.
I have almost a dozen kids with hives. They are itchy but don't seem to be super sick.
Hives are strange. They can be associated with severe allergic reactions so they make many parents nervous. However, many times they simply come along as part of a virus.
We are interested in whether or not your child is on a new medication and/ or has eaten something new and unusual, but if there is no trouble breathing and no obvious source, I am thinking that it is viral.

Most of these kids have had hives on and off for about 4 or 5 days and then they are better.
If they are old enough, we would be fine giving them benedryl as needed.
If they are under 6 months do check in with us.

We are also seeing lots of Strep throat.

There is still a bit of diarrhea going around.

There are tons of coughs and colds out there as well.

For all of you who are traveling for the holidays
Here is an oldie but a goodie from my blog with some travel wisdom.
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/08/hello-from-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-i-am.html

Our office will be closed for the holidays on Thursday and Friday. We will be back in business on Monday December 2nd.
If you need help as always call the after hours clinic 387-9293

Happy Holidays!
Judy

Monday update November 18th

We are still seeing lots of colds and coughs.
This cough hangs on for weeks!

I am also getting lots of folks with several days of fevers
Here is my updated fever post.
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/11/dealing-with-fevers.html

A few of these folks have ended the fever with a rash and a few fussy days. When that happens I am thinking Roseola or other viral syndrome.

We are having some sore throats.
Some of these have been positive for Strep.

There is a mild tummy bug out there. (If you or your child has it, you might question my choice of words...but most folks are shaking it after a day or so)

Aside from that early positive Flu test last month, I don't think we are seeing any active Flu circulating.
Stay well.
~Nurse Judy

Monday update November 12

The most common illnesses that I have seen in the office and have been getting calls about are the terrible coughs and colds.

We have also had several patients with very high fevers.
We haven't had any more positive flu tests in the office, but to be honest we haven't been testing too many patients.
We have had a couple positive strep throat tests.

I am seeing several folks with a mild tummy bug. Most of these folks have resolved within a few days.

Stay healthy!
~Nurse Judy

Baby Food Recall

http://plumorganics.com/Nov13Recall.pdf?579fdd

Dr Anne asked me to post this. This recall just came to her attention.
She actually had some of this food in her kitchen!

I get calls all the time about babies eating some foods that might be spoiled or simply putting strange and often disgusting items in their mouths.
If your baby has eaten something and is acting fine, we are generally NOT concerned.
If, on the other hand, your child has eaten something questionable and is acting fussier than usual or the poops are unusual, then do check in with us.

~Nurse Judy

Monday update November 4th/ flu shot clinic

We are absolutely swamped with sick kids this week.
Last week the winning phone calls belonged to the "tummy bug"
Today it is all about the respiratory illnesses.
There are loads of coughs/ colds/ wheeziness and fevers.

I do think that RSV is making the rounds
http://www.nursejudynvp.blogspot.com/2013/11/rsv.html

We are seeing lots of croupy kids as well. 

We also had our first positive Flu test!
It feels awfully early for that, but so it goes.
The patients symptoms presented with a few days of congestion that turned into wheezing.

If you haven't gotten your shot yet, we will be doing another Saturday flu shot clinic on November 9th.
9am until noon.
No appointment needed.
This is for the patients and families of Noe Valley pediatrics only.
We have both the flu mist and shots available.

Stay well!
Judy