Another School Year… Another Flu Season

It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year again. Here’s what’s new for flu season 2010-2011:

This years’ flu shot contains the H1N1 (“swine flu”) strain and 2 other strains of flu virus most likely to cause seasonal flu this year. Regardless of whether you received seasonal flu vaccine, H1N1 vaccine, or both vaccines in 2009, vaccination with a 2010-11 seasonal influenza vaccine is necessary. Although the World Health Organization announced the end of the H1N1 pandemic this month, the virus does continue to circulate. The CDC recommends that all people age 6 months and older receive the flu shot — not just people in high risk categories.

Each year, it is estimated that there are 200,00 people hospitalized due to influenza and there are 36,000 deaths related to complications of influenza.

According the Flu Resource Center here is a list of some of the top places cold and flu germs hide:
1. Handshakes, sneezes, kisses
2. Kitchen sink sponges and dishcloths
3. Restrooms and toilet seats
4. Doorknobs
5. Drinking fountains
6. Shopping carts

The best protection against the flu are to WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY and GET VACCINATED.

Meriter clinics are anticipating having flu vaccine available early September, so remember to check our Web site or to call your primary care physician’s office for availability.

Sumita Ram, M.D.

Pediatrician

Meriter Middleton Pediatrics

meriterkids.com

Rotavirus (or the lack thereof): A vaccine success story

As a hospitalist, I see a sicker patient group. Only when a parent is very worried or a clinic provider feels they need ongoing attention do I see a child in the ED or in the hospital. Now, as we approach the end of summer, I can’t help but feel like something is missing. Five years ago, it was common in the spring and early summer to have children in the hospital for vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration from rotavirus. Rotavirus is a common virus that infects most children under 5 years of age and is most severe for children under 2 years of age. Every year there was a significant number of children who needed to stay in the hospital for IV fluids while they recovered from this virus. So, where did it go?

If your child is less than 4 years old then you may remember an oral vaccine received at the 2, 4 and 6 month visits. In 2006, the FDA approved the vaccine RotaTeq® and shortly thereafter, it was recommended routinely for infants. Since that time there have been other similar vaccines approved as well. This vaccine is not 100% effective in preventing rotavirus, but its goal was to reduce the severity of illness and prevent the need for hospitalization.

Recently, there have been some published studies on the effect this vaccine has had in the United States. One study showed a 46% decrease in need for hospitalization. Another study showed 100% effectiveness in preventing hospitalization compared to children who did not receive the vaccine. Wow! As a younger physician, it has been wonderful to see the impact vaccines can have on the health and well being of our children.

Although I love meeting the children and their families, I am glad more kids are at home. Staying in the hospital is no fun for anyone. To rotavirus, I say good riddance and you won’t be missed.

Dr. Jim Bencivenga

Pediatric Hospitalist

Meriter Hospital

meriterkids.com

The Importance of Vaccinating Parents and Siblings to Protect Babies

“Whoop” This is the awful high-pitched inhaling sound people can make after a burst of coughing associated with pertussis. This sound is what gives it the common name: “Whooping Cough.” It has also been called the "100-day cough" due to the duration of the cough.

For adults, getting a case of whooping cough is annoying and sometimes painful given the severity of the cough, but usually only slightly worse than the common cold, especially early on. Many adolescents and adults don’t even develop the stereotypical “whoop.” For children, especially infants, this illness can be deadly. 85% of the deaths associated with pertussis occur in infants less than 3 months of age.

The good news is that we have a vaccine for pertussis. Fortunately, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of pertussis cases since the introduction of the vaccine in the 1940’s, but we continue to see outbreaks every couple of years. Currently, California is experiencing an outbreak and there have been cases in Wisconsin as well.

The vaccine is given in a combination vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus, usually at ages 2, 4, 6 months, 12-18 months and 4-5 years. The vaccine is not fully effective until 3 doses are given, so children that are less than 6 months are at higher risk of getting the illness. Teenagers and adults tend to be those that spread the disease, because their illness is not as severe and many do not even know that pertussis is what is causing their illness. They also have waning immunity from the vaccines they received as a young child. Fortunately in 2005, a booster vaccine was developed.

This vaccine should be used in place of one tetanus booster. It contains tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap). Anyone that is around small children, especially new parents, should make sure they have received the Tdap vaccine. It is recommended that any new mother that is not immunized should receive it during the immediate postpartum period. If she is around children less than 12 months old during her pregnancy, she should receive it during the pregnancy.

If you have questions about your or your child(ren)’s immunization status, please be sure to discuss them with your primary care provider.

Dr. Dana Johnson
Pediatrician
Meriter McKee
3102 Meriter Way
Madison, WI
608.417.8388
meriter.com/pediatrics