A Dose of Dr. Gwenn

Did you catch the recent Eli Stone controversy? Regardless of where you fell on the issues of immunization and autism, there’s no denying that TV greatly impacts our ideas and how we think. The problem with shows that have medical content, however, is that if those shows become misguided, so too can their audiences. And, recent events should cause us all to pause and at the very least wonder about the thoroughness of medical review for TV dramas.

Why is this so important? Simple. It's essential to have solid background information on all TV dramas because of how real and believable the events portrayed can seem. The same is true for what you see, hear and read on the internet. Keep in mind that celebrities are actors but are not experts. They just play experts on TV or online.

If it hadn’t been for the medical community shedding light on the Eli Stone episode before it aired, many parents may have not known the facts and could have been too easily convinced that immunizations are harming their children. They may have been all too swayed by the power of the drama and their own emotional hot buttons and could have been misguided to not immunize their own children. The interesting irony with this episode is that even before it aired, a new study demonstrated that thimerosal, the element always cited as the culprit of vaccine harm, is innocent as charged.

Thanks to the outcry of medical experts, the producers of Eli Stone did post a disclaimer at the start of the show and some links at the show's conclusion. Those are often tried and true ways of alerting you to important medical information. In fact, question shows you see with questionable medical information that does not take those extra steps. A responsible show with a good message will include some sort of informational message at the end, if not question the reliability of the show and hold fast to your current health beliefs.

If you ever watch a show that raises medical questions about someone in your family, your family's pediatrician or internist are two wonderful resources available to you. Start there before you go too far online. The last thing any of us want is for a TV show to confuse you and if you are confused, others in the practice likely are, too. So, let someone know.

It is a very scary diagnosis for parents and doctors, meningitis. And, this time of year it seems to make headlines somewhere in the country. Last year some hockey players from New Jersey shared water bottles and contracted meningitis, and this week two Bentley College students in Massachusetts have been hospitalized with meningitis.

Parents often wonder when their children complain of symptoms if those symptoms are "meningitis". Viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, which is irritation of the lining around the brain. Like all illnesses, there is variation and there can be mild to severe degrees of illness. But, bacterial meningitis, the type that is making news this week, makes people very, very sick and very quickly. This isn't the type of situation where you wonder if your child is sick - you know it. These kids look and act sick. They have fever, often very high. They feel lousy. They are tired and often very sleepy. Some may feel very sick to their stomachs . Some may seem confused to those around them. They have severe headache and their neck becomes so stiff they truly can't bend it without their heads hurting more.

Antibiotics help when begun early but it is a serious illness and, sadly, can claim lives and leave survivors with horrible problems once they recover. For this reason, close contacts are also treated, and a vaccine has been developed for preteens and close contacts. But, what is important to remember is that only close contacts need to be treated because bacterial meningitis can only be spread by sharing saliva - kissing, sharing food utensils or cups. This isn't the type of illness that spreads by casual contact which is actually reassuring. Your kids won't get bacterial meningitis by being in the same room as a person with the illness - there has to be that direct contact with saliva. Breathing air or touching isn't a risk factor.

So, what should you do next time your child has fever, headache and complaints of a sore or stiff neck? Don't play doctor, call your doctor for advice. Keep in mind that true, serious illness like the type bacterial meningitis causes doesn't hide for long so if your child looks well and is acting well that is always reassuring. But, if your child is becoming sick before your eyes, your child needs medical attention right away. In fact, if that is going on, call your doctor on the way to the ER or call 911 if your child is horribly ill to you.

Here are some links for more information:
CHOP Meningitis Information
CDC Meningitis Information