11/23/2022
Hoping all our Berkeley Peds families are able to spend some quality time with loved ones this holiday. We are in the middle of an unprecedented viral surge (not only COVID, but also influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus and others). Our office, urgent care centers and local hospitals are extremely busy. Local hospitals are limiting elective procedures and hospitalizations to keep hospital beds open.
Please keep in mind a few measures you may want to take to ensure that your family stays healthy.
--Consider changing plans if there are members of your family sick with cold symptoms especially those with heavy congestion, significant cough and of course, fever. A "cold" in an older child or adult can be more serious for young babies and toddlers.
--Try to stay in well ventilated spaces for large gatherings. Consider wearing a mask indoors. And frequent hand washing is always advised.
--Consider testing for COVID with an at home kit prior to gathering. And definitely test if you have any symptoms.
--If you haven't already, encourage family members to get vaccinated for influenza and COVID as soon as possible. Being vaccinated will decrease the risk of serious disease and hospitalization.
--Refer to trusted websites to assess your child's symptoms before contacting the office.
www.healthychildren.org has a great symptom checker. www.cdc.gov always has good information as well as our local public health departments.
--Of course, when attending gatherings, make sure your child is restrained in a proper child safety seat in cars. Also don't drink and drive and don't let others drink and drive.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Thankful for our BPMG community!!!
CDC works 24/7 saving lives and protecting people.