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The holidays are over, but RSV season is not!

Friday, December 30, 2011

As many of you are putting away holiday decorations and enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures this week, don't let this warm Texas winter weather fool you...RSV and Flu season is still here!

Unfortunately, I heard from several NICU graduate families over the holidays who were fighting off various "bugs" this year.  So, please be sure to take precautions with your little one.  What can you do?

1. Be sure to get your baby's Synagis shot on-time (if he/she is receiving them).

2. Lots...and lots...and lots...of handwashing!

3. Avoid large crowds (as much as possible).

4. Clean surface areas around your home with disinfectants frequently.

5.  Do not allow anyone with cold or flu symptoms around your high-risk baby.

Check out these links for symptom information and recent RSV stats:

http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

http://txpeds.org/sites/txpeds.org/files/documents/RSV-and-Flu-11262011.pdf

Stay Healthy!

Julie Hudson, MSN, RN

NCBH NICU



Autumn

Sunday, October 23, 2011

                Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating;

there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

The weather here in San Antonio has been gorgeous lately....such a difference from the 105 degree Summer!!  Have you and your family been enjoying the change?

It is a great time to be out hiking, biking, walking, etc.  Share with us some of the fun Fall activities you and your NICU grad have been participating in!

Drop me an email by clicking on my name below or click on the "Comments" link to share with everyone.

Happy Harvest!

Julie Hudson, MSN, RN

NCBH NICU



Have you been vaccinated?

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Flu season is here again.....and flu shots are available! 

According the the CDC website, flu seasons are unpredictable but begin as early as October. The vaccine is already available in San Antonio, so that means it is time for everyone to get his/her shot!  "It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection" (CDC, 2011).

All of our NICU nurses and staff receive the vaccination each year, in order to protect our high risk population of patients.  For NICU parents and families this is an important step that may prevent your infant from getting sick.  The national recommendation is that anyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccination.  "It’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu–related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu–related complications.

  • Pregnant women
  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
  • People 50 years of age and older
  • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long–term care facilities
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
    • Health care workers
    • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
    • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) (CDC, 2011)."

Most physician offices, medical clinics, and even pharmacies are offering flu shots right now.  Some insurance companies and Medicare plans will also cover the expense of a vaccine.

If you are a NICU family member, please consider getting your flu shot right away.

Have a comment or story to share?  Email me or leave a comment for us all (using the comment link below).

Julie Hudson, MSN, RN
NCBH NICU

Reference
CDC. (2011). 2011-12 Influenza and vaccine and vaccination information.  From www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm


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