RSV is here
January 28, 2009 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
In recent weeks we have seen an increase in young children with RSV. This is a virus that causes bronchiolitis in young children and severe colds in older children. Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that is like a typical cold with nasal congestion, fever, and cough but also includes mucous production and swelling in the lungs. This can lead to faster breathing, increased mucous in the lungs and sometimes wheezing. The peak activity is often January through April.
The virus is pretty common. All children by preschool have likely had the virus at least once.
Children most at risk include:
- Young children under six months old.
- Children with other chronic illnesses (especially respiratory and cardiac)* Children and toddlers with a history of asthma
There is no vaccine for RSV so the prevention strategy is same as prevention of common colds. Avoiding ill persons, crowded places, and lot of hand washing can decrease transmission of the virus.
There is no specific treatment against the virus itself. Treatment is primarily supportive like a cold. This includes using nasal saline to help clear nose of young children. Increasing humidity in the room to also help a child cope with the mucous. If a child has history of wheezing or asthma than asthma medications, like inhalers are sometimes used.
Antibiotics are not helpful against RSV but vigilance for ear infections is prudent since ear infections occur in about one in four children with RSV.
Hospitalization may be needed for a child who is working very hard to breathe, needs oxygen support or getting dehydrated from not being able to take in enough fluids. Many times a child will be seen daily in the office to measure weight and asses their breathing.
Hope you and your families stay healthy this winter. Keep up that hand washing!
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2009 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
We want to wish all our families a Happy New Year! We had a big growth year in 2008 and will continue to grow in 2009. I want to take this opportunity to give you a sneak peek of things to come in 2009.
Medication dispensing
For many common prescription medications we will soon be able to dispense prepackaged course of medication. Our hope is to save you a trip to the pharmacy and improve the percentage of patients that are able to promptly begin prescribed medication. To begin with it will primarily be antibiotics and asthma medications. We will have a system that will bill insurance in the same way that the pharmacy does. In other words your cost will be the same with us as it would be at a retail pharmacy. Of course, this will be an optional service so that if you would prefer to get your medication from your pharmacy that will continue unchanged. More information at Allscripts medication services page.
My Health Online Update
The vendor that is hosting our current secure online messaging service is expected to undergo a major upgrade in 2009. We hope this will make it easier to use, easier to sign up, easier to reset your password, and offer more features. This currently is and will remain a free service. If you haven’t already signed up just fill out a quick form next time you are in the office. Current system allows for secure messaging directly between families and their provider. In addition families can view upcoming appointments and request prescription refills. More information at My Health Online page.
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