Over the last month, the number of kids I've seen in the office with flu-like symptoms has decreased dramatically. What a relief for families! The downside is that parents now feel blase about getting their kids under 10 the second H1N1 vaccine, a necessary step to ensure immunity.
Most parents aren't even asking me, they are just deciding to forgo the second shot. The few who are asking are reluctant to get it given the fact that the illness
Posted by: drmolly in tamiflu, Influenza on
Jan 17, 2010
Swine flu virus mutations are beginning to appear in very small numbers all over the world. Although the number of these mutant strains is small, the severity of the illness is huge. In the United States, 57 cases of H1N1 have been shown to be resistant to Tamiflu. What makes this mutation even more worrisome is that it appears to also cause a much more severe illness with pneumonia, hemorrhages in the lungs and a much higher rate of death.
Posted by: drmolly in tamiflu, medication, Influenza on
Jan 17, 2010
Tamiflu shortages are everywhere. Pharmacies are having to take the capsules meant for adults and compound them into a liquid version safe for younger children. I've had parents who have had to call multiple pharmacies to find which has the medication and can prepare the liquid version.
It is frustrating on many levels, not the least of which is that the patients for whom I prescribe Tamiflu are high-risk kids.
I suspect some pediatricians are
Iinfluenza has really started to hit our area hard. The following Q&A will help you understand who needs to be seen, when testing should be done and who needs Tamiflu treatment:
Q: When do I suspect my child has influenza? What are the symptoms?
A: Fever higher than 101.5 degrees along with sore throat and body aches is the first sign followed by headache, congestion and cough. The kids look very sick, down and out and are not interested in
Posted by: drmolly in vaccines, Influenza on
Jan 17, 2010
The H1N1 (swine flu) virus is hitting many states hard, but lucky for us Michigan has yet to see widespread infection. As predicted, children are the most likely to have complications. In the last week, 19 deaths were reported among children with the infection.
Of the more than 75 children in the United States that have died of the illness thus far, 20 percent were otherwise healthy children with no risk factors. If the number of children dying
In my office I have had a lot of families very willing and eager to have their kids get the seasonal flu vaccine but questions and concerns linger about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine (aka swine flu) and whether it is really necessary given the mild nature of this strain of influenza thus far. There is a lot of misinformation and fear-mongering about this year's vaccine and I hope to set the record straight.
Q: I've heard this swine flu
Wondering when to take your sick child to see her doctor and what kind of treatment to expect? Here are a few cases of flu-like illnesses and how they turned out.
Case 1
Otherwise healthy 8-year-old came in with a one-day history of fever up to 104 degrees, mild headache, head congestion, cough, fatigue and body aches. Dad is concerned this may be the swine flu and wants him assessed. This child's exam is consistent with a flu-like illness
We all know that the H1N1 virus is ramping up. School is back in session and kids clustered together means germs spread. Parents (and teachers) are worried about this novel virus and as such the phone calls and e-mails to my office are on the rise. The challenge is that many illnesses with fever will not be H1N1 influenza - so how is a parent to know? Here are some tips:
H1N1 influenza, commonly known as the swine flu, presents most often
Posted by: drmolly in vaccines, Influenza on
Jan 17, 2010
Now that the kids are back in school, the incidence of influenza-like illness is on the rise and parents are asking a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know:
Q: When will the "swine flu" shot be available?
A: In early October, 3 million doses of the nasal mist form of the vaccine will be distributed to state health departments, which will then distribute them to local health departments and physicians offices. The shot form of the
Posted by: drmolly in Influenza on
Oct 19, 2009
SEASONAL FLU VACCINE CLINIC INFO AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SEASONAL AND H1N1 VACCINES
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD 6-8 PM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST 6-8 PM FLUMIST ONLY!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD 8-11 AM CANCELED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH 6-8 PM CANCELED
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST 8-11 AM CONFIRMED!!!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 6-8 PM TENTATIVE
WHO SHOULD GET THE SEASONAL
