Mandatory Paid Time Off Returns

Mandatory Paid Time Off Returns.

NEW UPDATE: Egg Allergy and Influenza Vaccine

A recent statement put out by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the AAP is updating its guidance for administering influenza vaccine to children with presumed egg allergy. These recommendations ARE NOT appropriate for the egg allergic person with a history of anaphylaxis or server allergy.

1) Skin testing is no longer necessary
2) Use the lowest ovalbumin-containing influenza vaccine (Ovalbumin content is listed on the vaccine package inserts)
3) Utilize one of the following 2 methods for administration
a) Two-step graded challenge-administer 1/10th of the vaccine dose followed by 30 minutes of observation; if no symptoms emerge, administer the remainder of the dose followed by another 30 minutes of observation
b) Single age-appropriate dose followed by 30 minutes of observation

Appropriate resuscitative equipment must be available when employing either of the previous mentioned methods.

More details can be foun in the AAP News article December 2010. Additional information is in the “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States” published in Dec by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy

  September 15, 2010

Advice from a healthcare provider plays an important role in a pregnant and postpartum woman’s decision to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), American Medical Association (AMA), American Nurses Association (ANA), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), March of Dimes, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are asking for your help in urging your pregnant and postpartum patients to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that pregnant and postpartum women receive the seasonal influenza vaccine this year, even if they received 2009 H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine last year. Lack of awareness of the benefits of vaccination and concerns about vaccine safety are common barriers to influenza vaccination of pregnant and postpartum women. To overcome these barriers, some key points have been provided below.

c. Vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to protect both the mother and her infant (up to 6 months old) from lab-confirmed influenza. Influenza hospitalization rates in infants <6 months of age are more than 10 times that of older children.

d. Pregnant women represented 5% of 2009 H1N1 influenza deaths in the U.S., while only about 1% of the population was pregnant. Severe illness in postpartum women was also documented. 2009 H1N1 is expected to continue to circulate this influenza season and is included in the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine this year.

President

American Academy of Family Physicians

Judith S. Palfrey, MD, FAAP

President American Academy of Pediatrics

Holly Powell Kennedy, CNM, PhD,

FACNM, FAAN

President

The American College of Nurse-Midwives

Ralph W. Hale, MD, FACOG

Executive Vice President

The American College of Obstetricians and

Gynecologists

Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA

Executive Vice President/Chief Executive

Officer

American Medical Association

Marla Weston, PhD, RN

Chief Executive Officer

American Nurses Association

Thomas E. Meninghan, Pharmacist, BS

Pharm, MBA, ScD, FAPhA

Executive Vice President and CEO

American Pharmacists Association

Karen Peddicord, RNC, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric

and Neonatal Nurses

Jennifer L. Howse, PhD

President

March of Dimes

Anne Schuchat, MD

RADM, United States Public Health Service

Assistant Surgeon General

Director, National Center for Immunization

and Respiratory Diseases

Swine Influenza

CDC is currently investigating cases of respiratory illnesses in the states of California and Texas.  The individuals who have become ill are between the ages of 7 and 55.  63% of the cases are male.  Treatment for anyone suspected of having this illness (swine influenza) are oseltamivir and zanamivr.  Symptoms of the illness include cold symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite and fever.  Individuals should see their physician to have a nasal culture tested for influenza and stay at home until symptoms have passed, usually 5-7 days.  Travel to the affected areas in Mexico is being discouraged.

16oo cases of swine flu reported in Mexico with 103 deaths.  Cases reported in the US include 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Ohio, 8 in NYC (among a group of students who recently returned from Mexico), 2 in Texas.  Cases have also been reported in Canada, British Columbia, Nov Scotia, France, Spain, Scotland, and Israel.

Protecting yourself and your family:  Stay away from large groups of people.  Stay at least 6 feet away from individuals who have a respiratory tract infection.  Wear a mask if you have to be close to someone with a respiratory tract infection including someone who is living in your house.  If you are experiencing a fever greater than 100 try to get an influenza culture done and take antiviral medication within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.  Antivirals may not help if not started within 48 hour of onset of illness.

Person infected with the swine flu should be considered infectious up to 7 days after onset of symptoms.  People who are continue to be sick after 7 days should be considered infectious.  Especially children.