Pediatric Home Health Care near Huntington, NY
When you have a chronically ill child in your home you have to take extra precautions not to bring in any germs, bacteria, viruses etc. into the home. This can be very difficult especially when you have other young children going to school each day and being exposed to many different things and coming home again. It can’t always be prevented.
Pediatric home health care can provide medical care and attention to your child in the comfort of your own home. It’s always nicer for your child to be in his own bed and his own room than in a hospital. Children are happier and generally healthier when they are able to stay with their family in their own home, and a trained professional pediatric home health care nurse can make that possible for your family.
If your children are accustomed to playing in nearby streams or rivers in an area inhabited by animals, you may be interested in learning about the following, although rare, bacterial infection.
An uncommon but serious infection for humans is known as leptospirosis and is contracted from animals. It is a very rare bacterial infection, with just 100 to 200 cases estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention each year in the United States. The bacteria that causes leptospirosis is excreted through animal urine and is usually transferred to humans through contaminated soil or water by swimming in lakes and rivers. It enters our bodies through the nose, mouth, or eyes. It can also enter our bodies by swallowing contaminated water. Symptoms usually do not present themselves until about a week after exposure, but in some causes it can take as long as a month for symptoms to occur. An infected person is not infectious to others and leptospirosis is not spread from person to person.
Leptospirosis is characterized by headaches, muscle soreness in calves and back, red eyes (conjunctivitis), stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, skin rash on the shins, fever and chills. The symptoms may come in two phases, with the first phase lasting about a week. The rash may become worse during the second phase. Fast treatment is important because at times leptospirosis can be life threatening. Untreated infections have caused kidney failure, liver infection, meningitis, and a number of other serious health complications.
Due to the potential serious complications and rare nature of this infection, it is important to notify your pediatrician immediately if you suspect your child may have leptospirosis. Doctors will diagnose the infection by testing children’s antibodies from blood samples.
Treatment
Typically antibiotics such as amoxicillin or doxycycline are effective in treating leptospirosis. The type of antibiotic used depends on the age of the patient. Patients who become very ill should be hospitalized and receive penicillin intravenously. Most children can expect a full recovery after treatment. In rare cases, serious complications may occur.
Prevention
Leptospirosis can be avoided with good hygiene such as frequent hand washing and avoiding direct contact with animal urine. Children should also avoid playing in dirty puddles or standing water outdoors. A vaccine to prevent pets from leptospirosis is currently available, but not for humans.
If you or an aging loved one are in need of Pediatric Home Health care services near Huntington, NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
Providing Services to Floral Park, Great Neck, Manhasset, Rockville Center, Plainview, Huntington, Massapequa, Dix Hills, Northport, and Stonybrook
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