Flu Sucks Life out of my Party

Posted on January 17, 2013 by nurse mommy

I would like to be one of the first people in the media to bring to your attention there is a sickness, an illness, out there called influenza.

You haven’t heard this anywhere else, right? It has a zillion strains, or “versions,” so unfortunately a vaccine, which is produced WELL before flu season creeps across our country, can be hit or miss.

NEWS UPDATE:
“Winter of 2012-2013: USA = MISS”

According to the CDC (January 11, 2013), only 62% of those protected by the immunization are “fully” protected by the shot. How do you like them odds? Well, in the past we have seen better, but every year it’s a craps shoot. We can’t now assume immunizing our children is worthless because ONE year some very brilliant scientists missed the ball. All the other years they are pretty accurate in guessing which strains might come our way. But peeps…it’s a GUESS!! Meteorologists…back me up on this one, right?!

I got the flu last week, (not looking for pity…just an example) and now I am able to breathe pretty well after 7 days of a Lance Armstrong regimen of steroids and antibiotics to fight back the case of pneumonia that wanted to spank my bootie and say my name. But I have to say, I didn’t get the flu as bad as I have in the past because I got my flu shot.

Several years ago, I wasn’t protected and got the H1N1 before it was bestowed that elegant name (oink, oink); and let’s just say…I think I spent some time horizontal time in the hospital. This is from a report via my family because I truly don’t remember but fleeting moments of it! Sick puppy. Don’t recommend the H1N1!

It still amazes me there are people who are not immunizing in 2013. This is dangerous thinking and can be deadly for young children and older adults. Don’t think it’s only happening on the east coast. Also, if you are around anyone with a compromised immune system (like cancer…) as a community you need to stay healthy for them as well.

Follow your doctor’s guidelines. Remember it takes 2 weeks for the shot to start working fully, but it will begin working immediately. The flu season lasts until March and this shot is a year’s worth of protection!!!

Also, adequate sleep, super nutrition and hydration are keys to keeping your immune system strong. Concentrate on these during the winter months so a “sick bug” doesn’t catch you with your immune system shorts down.

Be strong and prosper…
And party on, like its 1999, when we didn’t have to Purell our grocery cart handles!

Emergency Room visit or Urgent Care? KCParent magazine -Sept. 2012

Posted on September 9, 2012 by nurse mommy

Emergency Busters! Who You Gonna Call?

KC Parent Magazine – September 2012 issue

by Stacey Hatton

Doesn’t it feel like children get sick exactly at 5:02 p.m.? As soon as the pediatrician’s door deadbolts and their phones roll over to night service, your little one starts barking like a seal or spikes a fever. Now what do you do?

Becky Alfred, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics South Emergency Department says, “In most cases, you can treat the symptoms at home and be evaluated by your doctor the next day if needed. However, in some cases your child may need medical attention the same day.”

Contacting your child’s medical provider or a nurse advice line for direction on what’s best for your child’s condition is beneficial. They can triage your child’s condition over the phone and decide where and when you need to be seen by asking several questions.

Urgent care visits:

“If the injury or illness is not severe, a pediatric urgent care center provides care and/or treatment for your child,” offers Dr. Alfred. “Urgent care centers are equipped and staffed to see non-life threatening, minor illnesses or injuries.”

Minor cuts, sprains or strains
Ear pain
Sore throat
Mild allergic reactions
Suspected simple broken bone
Minor animal bites, insect bites or stings
Mild asthma or wheezing
Croup (barky cough)
Eye infections (pink eye)
Fever (except infants less than 8 weeks of age)
Skin rashes
Urinary tract (bladder) infections

Discuss with your child’s doctor before emergent situations arise which urgent care center she recommends and is accepted by your insurance.

Head straight to emergency room:

There are situations when your child requires a higher medical level of care, which only an ER can provide. Dr. Alfred lists these common emergencies as requiring immediate attention:

Large, gaping or bleeding cuts
Head injury, multiple injuries, obvious broken bones
Vomiting after head injury
Sick newborn (fever, not feeding well, not acting right)
Lethargy
Severe pain
Seizure
Can’t walk
Tender abdomen
Severe asthma, wheezing or difficulty breathing
Drooling or trouble swallowing
Dehydration
Stiff or injured neck
Fever over 105°F (40.6°C)
Poisoning or ingestion of medication or household product. (First call Poison Control Center to determine if ER treatment is necessary.)

When to call for an ambulance?

You’ve heard this message a dozen of times. “If this is a medical emergency, hang up and call 9-1-1.” But what defines a medical emergency, and furthermore, what warrants a 9-1-1 call? Frequently parents believe they might be able to drive their child to the ER faster in their vehicle, but in most cases it’s best to let the professionals take over. “The 911 operator can advise and assist you until the ambulance arrives,” Dr. Alfred says. “The EMT or paramedic team can stabilize an injury, administer oxygen, start IV medications or perform life saving efforts if needed. They also can provide the safest and fastest transit to the nearest emergency facility, calling ahead to alert the emergency room doctors about the status of the child. Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if your child is in need of immediate help.”
Call 9-1-1 if your child has:

Severe difficulty breathing or turning blue.
Loss of consciousness or unresponsive.
Trauma or fall with loss of consciousness, or concern of head or neck injury.
Broken bones with such severe pain or deformity that you could not safely restrain the child in the car, or with bones sticking out of the skin.
Seizures lasting more than 3 minutes, or if the child has labored breathing or is turning blue.
Severe cuts or uncontrolled bleeding that does not stop by applying pressure.
Possible poisoning where Poison Control directs you to call 9-1-1, or your child is not responsive after ingesting a medication or household product.

Numbers to program into YOUR phone (all open 24/7):

Poison Control: 1.800.222.1222
CMH Nurse Advice Line: 1.866.399.5941
Ask-a-Nurse (Shawnee Mission Medical Center): 913.676.777

Want to follow my blog? Don’t cost nuthin’! Scroll to the top right side of the page to “FOLLOW BY EMAIL” add your email address, then click on “SUBSCRIBE.”My blogs will be sent to your inbox as they are posted.

What’s your emergency room story? Have you had an interesting ambulance experience? Or had to call poison control during your child’s one-year-old photo session?

Carsickness: A Sticky Situation

Posted on March 9, 2012 by nurse mommy

KC Parent magazine – March 2012 issue

Stacey Hatton

Back in the old days when children and automobile safety weren’t uttered in the same breath, carsickness was treated differently, too. Whenever Mom and Pop had a nauseous kid, they cracked the windows and had her hop up to the front seat.

“Martha, keep looking straight ahead at the road… and if it gets worse, we’ll let you jump out in the ditch!”

Today thankfully, research demonstrates benefits of safety seats and restraints, and children are kept in the back seat; but in terms of road nausea, this can worsen matters. Dr. Kristen Stuppy, a pediatrician with Overland Park’s Pediatric Partners, worries that the “recommendations to keep kids rear-facing until 2 years will lead to increased nausea.”

Suggestions to Reduce Carsickness:

Break long trips into shorter parts.
Have children eat light snacks before traveling and drink plenty of water. Avoid large, fatty or spicy meals.
Keep air circulating: open windows or aim air vents toward your child.
Avoid books and videos because they seem to worsen symptoms.
NO SMOKING in the car! Even if kids aren’t in the car at the time, smoke dust settles and remains in the car. Having it on the clothing or hair of others in the car might also trigger problems.

Herbal and Holistic Methods:

According to www.WholeFoodsMarket.com, “Ginger is commonly recommended by health professionals for motion sickness and nausea.”
Stuppy also offers some advice: “Acupressure wristbands seem to help many kids (in her practice), though research doesn’t really support wristbands. If it works, great! They fall into the ‘won’t hurt to try’ category for me.”

Medications:

Several medications may provide help if other methods don’t work for your child; however, do not medicate young ones without discussing it first with your medical provider. Even over-the-counter remedies, such as Dramamine, which is suggested for kids over 2 years, works for some children but not others, according to Stuppy. “It can cause sedation, which might be good on a long trip – but some kids have the opposite reaction and become hyper!” she says. She also warns that more serious effects of dizziness, blurred vision and trouble thinking can occur.

Carsickness Prep Kit:

Large Ziploc bags – replaces a bucket (zip it closed and dispose!)
Paper towels
Trash bags for trash, clothing, etc…
Diaper wipes and/or antiseptic wipes
Change of clothes
Hair ties
Bottled water

Stacey Hatton is a pediatric RN whose children are third-generation roadside stoppers. She has high hopes of finding the cure and making her millions!

Nurse Mommy Laughs…

'Cause Laughter is the Best Medicine

Category Archives: Common Childhood Illnesses