In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that’s especially relevant as we move through colder months, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.

First things first, what is RSV? RSV is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs and airways. It’s especially known for causing severe issues in young children, babies, and older adults with weakened immune systems.

Like many viruses, RSV spreads easily. It passes through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. You can also catch it from surfaces that have been touched by an infected person and then touch your face.

Signs and symptoms of RSV infection most commonly appear about four to six days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms such as: 

For babies, RSV can be more serious. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the U.S and may cause wheezing, trouble breathing, and even difficulty feeding. If you notice these signs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

Infants, especially premature babies, and elderly adults with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for serious complications. For them, RSV can lead to things like bronchiolitis which is inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, or pneumonia which is an infection of the lungs. It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age.

These conditions can make it hard for the person to breathe and may require hospitalization for oxygen support, so it’s important to keep an eye on anyone showing severe symptoms.

So how can we protect ourselves and others from RSV? For starters, it’s really important to practice good basic hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, and if you're sick, stay home to avoid spreading the virus. Also, avoid sharing drinks or utensils with people, especially babies or older adults.

Two main options exist to help prevent young infants from getting severe RSV. One is an antibody product given to the infant. The other is an RSV vaccine for pregnant people to help protect their baby from birth through 6 months of age. Both are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You and your healthcare professional can discuss which option is best to protect your child. Older adults have weaker immune systems, especially those with ongoing conditions, such as heart or lung disease. There is also an FDA approved RSV vaccine for adults age 60 and older.  At this time our office does not offer the RSV vaccine.

For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website: www.meridenhealth.com. 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about hypothermia and frostbite.

If you have stepped outside lately you will notice - it's cold outside! We all love the winter vibes—snowball fights, hot cocoa, and winter sports—but when it gets super cold, the risk of hypothermia and frostbite is real. So, let’s talk about what these are, and more importantly, how to prevent them.

Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops below 95° Fahrenheit. Normally, our bodies like to keep that temperature around 98.6° Fahrenheit. But when you’re exposed to really cold temperatures for a long time, your body starts losing heat faster than it can produce it, and that can lead to hypothermia.

At first, you might start shivering. This is your body’s way of trying to warm itself up. But if you don’t get out of the cold soon, your body will start to show other symptoms. You might feel really tired, confused, or even slur your speech. In severe cases, hypothermia can lead to unconsciousness and, if untreated, can be fatal.

Now, onto frostbite. Frostbite happens when your skin and the tissues underneath freeze. Frostbite usually affects your fingers, toes, ears, or nose; these are places that are farthest from your heart and most vulnerable in extreme cold.

Frostbite starts with numbness, redness, or pale skin. You might feel a burning or stinging sensation, like pins and needles. If it gets worse, the skin can start to look hard or waxy. In the worst-case scenario, frostbite can cause permanent damage to your skin, muscles, and nerves.

So, how can we stay safe and avoid these freezing dangers? Let’s break it down with a few prevention tips:

If a person is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite:

Winter can be a lot of fun, but we want you to stay safe while enjoying winter weather. Keep those layers on, stay dry, and watch for the warning signs—whether it’s for you or someone else.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that has a lot of people talking: the rise in flu cases.

Connecticut has seen an increase in cases since the beginning of December, which is common this time of year as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is also a common time to see an increase in respiratory illness due to traveling and holiday gatherings.

As your local health department, we continue to monitor lab-confirmed cases of influenza in our community. Since September 1, Meriden has had 372 confirmed cases of Influenza, with 342 occurring so far in December alone.

If you’ve had the flu before, you probably remember the sudden onset of symptoms. Common symptoms of the flu include:

So, what can we do to protect ourselves from the flu? The best defense is to get your annual flu vaccine. Beyond vaccination, there are some simple precautions we can take, such as:

If you are still in need of your flu shot, call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234. We are open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. We will also be open late on December 30 until 6:00pm.

For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.  

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we we want to talk about a very timely topic of when is sick too sick for school. This time of year, it is common for children to have a runny or stuffy nose, but when is it okay to send your child to school and when should you keep them home?

One of our Public Health Nurses who works in a Meriden school is here to provide you with some tips on when to send your children to school, when to keep them home, and when you should follow up with their doctor. If you ever have any questions, please contact the public health nurse at your child’s school for further guidance.

Children are okay to come to school if:

Children should stay at home if:

You should follow up with their doctor if:

When in doubt, it is always best to follow up with your child’s doctor. For information on respiratory virus disease prevention, please visit our website at www.meridenhealth.com.  

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, your local health department would like to talk about how eating a balanced, nutritious diet can help support your immune system this winter.

Whether you're looking to fight off the common cold, reduce inflammation, or just keep your immune system running at its best, today’s episode will give you the tools and insights you need to nourish your body with the right foods.

Let’s start off by talking about what immunity actually is. Immunity is the body’s ability to defend itself against harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, and more. Your immune system is like a security system – it is always working to keep you safe from things that can make you sick.

In order to support your immune system and keep it working at its best it needs the right kind of fuel. That’s where nutrition comes in.

When you eat a well-balanced diet, you’re providing your body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to build up a strong immune defense.

Here are some tips on how to eat a well-balanced diet:

But remember – nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, staying active, and washing your hands regularly are also crucial for staying healthy. 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are kicking off National Influenza Vaccination Week by reminding you that it is not too late to get your flu shot.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health – and our office - recommends that everyone 6 months and older get their annual flu shot.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctor's offices, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

Anyone can get flu (including healthy people), and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), those who are pregnant, and children younger than five years of age.

Our Public Health Clinic provides flu shots Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. We will also be open until 6:00pm on December 9 and 30.

Flu shots are free for Meriden residents ages 18 and younger regardless of health insurance status. The cost of the flu shot is $20; we also have FluBlok available for $40. Cash and check are accepted. We accept Connecticare, Cigna, Aetna, and other select health insurance plans.

Call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment or if you have questions.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about some asthma tips for cold weather. 

As the weather gets colder, people with asthma may find themselves feeling a difference in their breathing.

The more severe your asthma is the more likely cold weather can cause a flare up, so follow these guidelines:

Another way to manage your asthma is by having an updated asthma action plan. An asthma action plan is an individualized plan that shows you the steps to take to keep your asthma from getting worse and provides guidance on when to call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we want to talk about how to avoid respiratory illnesses this fall and winter. Our community is seeing cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

And finally, stay up-to-date with recommended vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. It is best to talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are best for you. If you are still in need of a flu shot, call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment. 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about a common question we get in our Public Health Clinic about flu shots. 

One common question from parents and caregivers is “Why is the flu shot required for children 6 months and over who attend daycare, preschool, or other childcare program but not children in K-12 school”? 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are reminding you to get your flu shot before your Thanksgiving gatherings! 

It is not too late to get your flu shot. The week of November 3 is the perfect time to get your flu shot as it take up to two weeks to take full effect. Flu viruses usually begin circulating in communities in late fall and early winter, and activity often spikes around the holidays when people are gathering indoors and traveling. Here in Meriden we are starting to see influenza activity.

Getting vaccinated before a major gatherings like Thanksgiving helps you protect yourself and loved ones, including those at higher risk of serious illness such as individuals 65 years and older, people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old.

As your local health department, we recommend vaccination against the flu for both adults and children. If you still need to get your seasonal flu shot - we’ve got you covered!

Make an appointment today to visit our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street for your flu shot. Flu shots are free for Meriden residents ages 18 and younger regardless of health insurance status. For adults, the cost of the flu shot is $20; we also have FluBlok available for $40. Cash and check are accepted. We accept Connecticare, Cigna, Aetna, and other select health insurance plans. Call us at (203) 630-4234.