PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

From the desk of Katie Faragher, CPNP Katie Faragher, CPNP What is Zika virus? Zika virus is spread to humans through mosquito bites.  Twenty percent of people infected with the virus become ill.  The most common symptoms of Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.  Less common symptoms include muscle pain and headache.  The time of exposure to the virus to symptoms is unknown, but thought to be a few days to a week.  Symptoms typically last several days to a week.  Treatment is supportive care and infected people are not contagious. There is no vaccination or prophylactic medication to prevent Zika virus infection. How does this affect pregnant women? Due to increased incidence of a birth defect called microcephaly (unusually small heads and abnormal brain development) in Brazil, health authorities are investigating a possible association between Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly in newborns.  The CDC has issues a travel a...

Along with the American Academy of Pediatrics we would like to remind our parents that  children are much more susceptible to the cold which can lead to hypothermia.   Symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering, goose bumps, clumsiness, slurring of speech and becoming lethargic.  If your child or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately.  While you are waiting for help to arrive, get indoors, remove any wet clothing and cover them with blankets.   If breathing stops or you can’t find a pulse, begin CPR. Frostbite is another concern this time of year.   Make sure children are equipped with mittens, boots, hats and scarves.  Frostbite will generally affect the fingers, toes, ears, lips and nose. You may notice those areas blistering or becoming pale or gray.  A common complaint you may hear is that the skin burns or is numb.  Since frostbite can cause permanent damage you should place suspected frostbit...