Dr. Frencesca Geertsma This is Me

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1. 1. bakersfield.com - Top

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   Published on: 1/31/2002   Last Visited: 2/1/2002

   Babies who were born prematurely, have lung conditions or congenital heart problems are at high risk for serious complications, said Dr. Frencesca Geertsma, medical director for infectious diseases at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera.
   
   In rare cases, the disease can be fatal.
   
   Like the flu, RSV usually becomes epidemic during the winter months. In the Central Valley, the virus traditionally picks up in October or November, hits its peak in February, and dies down by April or May, Children's Hospital officials said.
   
   While RSV is usually less serious after the first infection, an infection does not provide immunity.
   ...
   Because RSV manifests itself as a cold or cough in older children and adults, it is easy for infected grown-ups to unknowingly give the disease to children, Geertsma said.
   
   Small infants develop bronchiolitis from RSV because their small bronchial tubes are so tiny that any kind of inflammation can hinder their breathing, she said.
   
   The virus passes through saliva and respiratory secretions, which can be transferred by touching doorknobs or other sources, or by droplets from sneezes and coughs, from kisses and from sharing drinks, she said.
   
   "If you have a cold, you shouldn't be touching infants," Geertsma said. "If you're around them at all, you should be washing your hands.
   
   "I advise mothers with babies that are a month or two (old), don't even bring them around people who could conceivably be ill, even with a mild illness."
   
   If a baby's main caretaker is sick, the best advice Geertsma has is keeping hands washed.
   
   ...
   "They need to be aware that a minor cold in an adult could be transferred to a serious illness (in an infant)," Geertsma said.
   
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