APP APPRECIATION ISSUE SEASONAL ILLNESS UPDATES/PEARLS APP SPOTLIGHTS FROM OUR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS UPCOMING EVENTS/CME
News for Independence Health System Advanced Practice Providers
Fall 2024
INDEPENDENCE HEALTH SYSTEM APP NEWSLETTER
HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!!! This fall has really been flying by. I am sure a lot of us have found ourselves to be much busier than usual given the inevitable increase in seasonal illnesses. I can only speak to urgent care and boy oh boy… there have been so many upper respiratory viruses this season and sneaky pneumonias: kids and adults. I hope you are all staying as safe as you can from catching these germs yourselves. I know the media has been all over the spike in pediatric pneumonias. There has also been talk of pertussis outbreaks recently. According to the CDC, whooping cough cases are on the rise for 2024, noting that this year has had nearly six times as many reported cases as last year. Young children and the elderly continue to be two of the most vulnerable populations, as with many illnesses. CDC encourages vaccination to aid in preventing the spread of pertussis (DTap/Tdap). Another notable rise for 2024 has been seen with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infections, specifically in young children. CDC reports that cases of M. Pneuomiae have remained high since this past August. The media has highlighted this increase and pointed out that often if M. Pneumoniae infections progress to pneumonia, symptoms can be quite mild, encouraging use of the term “walking pneumonia.” From an urgent care standpoint, there have been many cases where my peers and I are surprised to find pneumonia/consolidation on CXRs of healthy appearing/happy/talkative/energetic children. We have all seemed to adjust our practice accordingly, this year especially. In addition to the above illnesses, we continue to see Flu, COVID, and many other respiratory viruses making their rounds as I am sure you all have as well. Drink your water, take your vitamins, and stay healthy friends! Keep crushing it out there. Katelyn