2022 Respiratory Surge Update

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To try and meet the needs of sick children in our community, we have enacted the following changes:

 

  • We will no longer be scheduling appointment times at our Timnath office.
    • Timnath will see patients based on a combination of sickest children as well as a first come/first serve basis.
    • We will be posting wait times on our website for families wanting to know before they come to the Timnath Office.
    • Please be aware: The volumes at this office have created wait times of up to several hours, making appointment times a source of added frustration for families.
  • We are working daily to open up more spots for sick kids on our schedules.
    • Please be aware that all of Colorado and most of the United States are experiencing a nursing and ancillary staff shortage.
    • We continue to try and hire staff, but in the meantime we are doing everything we can to meet the current needs.
    • This is resulting in longer wait times for appointments and delayed response time to messages.
    • Please be aware that our entire staff – from our schedulers, front desk staff, nurses and providers are putting in extra hours and days. We are doing everything possible to help kids in Northern Colorado.
  • Your understanding and patience are appreciated.
    • As always, we cannot tolerate inappropriate language directed at our staff.
    • Rude or angry behavior may result in your child not being seen or ultimately, being removed from our practice.

 

Would you like to check the current wait times for our Timnath Office? Click the link below.

See our live Waitlist

Information About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Transmission:

RSV can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes; if virus particles enter the eyes, nose, or mouth; if you have direct contact with the virus, like kissing the face of a child with RSV; and if you touch a surface where the virus has landed and then touch your face before washing your hands.

Durability:

RSV can live on hard surfaces for hours.

Incubation:

 An infected person usually shows symptoms 4-6 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms:

 Similar to the common cold, infected individuals may have a runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, congestion, decreased appetite, and fever. Infants may show irritability, poor feeding, decreased activity, and have difficulty breathing.

Infectious Period:

A person is usually contagious for 3-8 days and may be contagious 1-2 days prior to symptom onset.

Symptoms:

 RSV typically displays nasal discharge or runny nose and sneezing, decreased appetite, cough (which may be associated with wheezing and/or difficulty breathing), sore throat, chills, headache, fatigue, and fever. Fever is more common in children and may or may not be present in adults. In infants less than 6 months, the only symptoms of RSV may be irritability, decreased activity, decreased appetite, or apnea.

Exclusions:

A student must be fever free (less than 100.4) without medication for at least 24 hours and respiratory symptoms resolving or improving before returning to school.

Prevention: 

Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow; wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid close contact (kissing, shaking hands, sharing utensils, etc.) with others; clean surfaces frequently, including doorknobs and mobile devices, according to label instructions; avoid touching your face; and minimize contact with people who appear sick.