This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and transmission of other viral respiratory infections and this guidance may help prevent this virus from spreading among people in homes and in communities.

Symptoms

Patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

How it Spreads

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. Many of the patients in the pneumonia outbreak caused by 2019-nCov in Wuhan, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.

When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of SARS and MERS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.

It’s important to note that how easily a virus spreads person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily 2019-nCoV spreads from person-to-person. It’s important to know this in order to better understand the risk associated with this virus. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Right now, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading in the United States, so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

This information has been taken from the Center for Disease Control’s website. Read more on the 2019 novel coronavirus here.

This blog is not a substitute for medical advice, be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. 

In a car crash, fluffy padding immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat.

These tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will help parents strike that perfect balance between keeping little ones warm as well as safely buckled in their car seats.

How to Keep Your Child Warm and Safe in the Car Seat:

Note: The tips below are appropriate for all ages. In fact, wearing a puffy coat yourself with the seat belt is not a best practice because it adds space between your body and the seat belt.

• Store the carrier portion of infant seats inside the house when not in use. Keeping the seat at room temperature will reduce the loss of the child’s body heat in the car.
• Get an early start. If you’re planning to head out the door with your baby in tow on winter mornings, you need an early start. You have a lot to assemble, and your baby may not be the most cooperative. Plus, driving in wintry conditions will require you to slow down and be extra cautious.
• Dress your child in thin layers. Start with close-fitting layers on the bottom, like tights, leggings, and long-sleeved bodysuits. Then add pants and a warmer top, like a sweater or thermal-knit shirt. Your child can wear a thin fleece jacket over the top. In very cold weather, long underwear is also a warm and safe layering option. As a general rule of thumb, infants should wear one more layer than adults. If you have a hat and a coat on, your infant will probably need a hat, coat, and blanket.
• Don’t forget hats, mittens, and socks or booties. These help keep kids warm without interfering with car seat straps. If your child is a thumb sucker, consider half-gloves with open fingers or keep an extra pair or two of mittens handy — once they get wet they’ll make your child colder rather than warmer.
• Tighten the straps of the car seat harness. Even if your child looks snuggly bundled up in the car seat, multiple layers may make it difficult to tighten the harness enough. If you can pinch the straps of the car seat harness, then it needs to be tightened to fit snugly against your child’s chest.  ​
• Use a coat or blanket over the straps. You can add a blanket over the top of the harness straps or put your child’s winter coat on backwards (over the buckled harness straps) after he or she is buckled up. Some parents prefer products such as poncho-style coats or jackets that zip down the sides so the back can flip forward over the harness. Keep in mind that the top layer should be removable so your baby doesn’t get too hot after the car warms up.
• Remember, if the item did not come with the car seat, it has not been crash tested and may interfere with the protection provided in a crash. Never use sleeping bag inserts or other stroller accessories in the car seat.
• Pack an emergency bag for your car. Keep extra blankets, dry clothing, hats and gloves, and non-perishable snacks in your car in case of an on-road emergency or your child gets wet on a winter outing.

This information has been taken directly from the AAP’s Healthy Children website article found here. This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

As the flu season is hitting Oregon and the whole country earlier than normal, we are reminded of one simple way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others; keeping our hands clean.

Make sure you and your kiddos wash your hands:

• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the restroom
• After changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treat
• After touching garbage

Follow these steps for proper handwashing:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice for a fun timer.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

According to the CDC, Oregon’s flu rate is well ahead of the nationwide flu rate. More than 1,300 people have fallen ill since the late fall. By this time last year, there were fewer than 400 confirmed flu cases in Oregon.

About 1,300 people have died from the flu nationally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 2.6 million have fallen ill, according to the agency, and 23,000 people have been hospitalized.

In addition to good habits like hand washing, the single best way to protect yourself and your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated each year. We still have the flu shot available. Give us a call to schedule today!

This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

The sparkling lights, singing carolers and lines of kids waiting to see Santa are all part of an annual ritual for some families. For children with autism, those same holiday traditions can be overwhelmingly stressful. Many kids with autism, disabilities and special sensitivities never get the chance to tell the Santa what they want for Christmas in-person because the experience is sensory overload.

Here are some local sensory-friendly Santa events in the Portland Metro area:

• Sunday, December 8^th at Bridgeport Mall – RSVP here!
• Sunday, December 8^th at Woodburn Outlets – RSVP here!
• Sunday, December 15^th at Bridgeport Mall – RSVP here!
• Sunday, December 15^th at Washington Square – RSVP here!

There are other Santa events and holiday parties in the surrounding areas. Visit the Autism Society of Oregon website for more information!