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Show Citizen, Press, Review, Wed., Feb. 2S, 1188 - Page t Tcddler'sturvives bout with Hib "If I had put my baby to bed, I would have never heard him. It really scares me; be would have died!' Lee Pcrssoa of Pleasant Grove knows first hand the seriousness of the Hib virus. Hib, an abbreviation for haemophilia Influenza type B, is a serious childhood illness affecting JO-30,000 children yearly in the U.S. Iti also affected if-month-old Michael Persson. Wednesday, Michael awoke from late nap fussy and irritable. By 8 tun. his temperature was elevated but responding well to Tylenol and clear liquids. When his dad went to bed at 10 p.m., Michael was still up and playing and feeling much better, tfis mother cuddled her active son on the couch, hoping that the TV would settle him down for the night. The changes in Michael's condition con-dition weren't dramatic. In fact, no one but the child's mother would have noticed the slight change in the sound of his breathing, and the almost imperceptible difference in the way be held his mouth. Michael was offered a sip of pop. When it dribbled out the side of his mouth, his frightened mother hurried to bundle him up. Instinctively In-stinctively she knew to get Michael to the hospital His mother's quick action saved his life. Michael and his parents arrived at American Fork Hospital just before 11 p.m. Dr. Batchler, on call in the E.R., listened to Michael's dry-mouthed breathing and ordered x-rays. The x-rays revealed epiglottitis. The structure located near the base of Michael's tongue was swelling and obstructing his airway. If untreated un-treated and allowed to close, Michael would suffocate and die. Dr. Timpson, head anesthesiologist, Dr. Stevens, tracheotomy specialist, and Dr. Nuttall, pediatrician, were immediately im-mediately summoned for surgery. An emergency table was assembled in case the baby's throat should close before the specialists arrived. Within minutes the surgery team had gathered and explained the gravity of the situation to the concerned parents. "I was horrified," shuddered Mrs. Persson. "That was MY baby!" Even at the operating room doors, Michael's breathing was more labored, but not enough to be noisy. In a matter of minutes the O.R. team was ready to intubate. MicaheTs throat had almost closed completely during the brief interval. in-terval. So severe was the swelling that the tiny tube selected to keep the airway open had to be the Vise generally used on a newborn. Shortly after midnight, the life-saving life-saving procedure was completed. The stand-by tracheotomy proved unnecessary. Michael spent three days heavily sedated in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit while IV antibiotics battled the invasive Hib virus. Thanks to quick action, proper diagnosis and surgical intervention, the Perssons were able to bring their baby home three days later. . Michael's ordeal was over, but its affects would haunt his mother for weeks to come, prompting Mrs. Persson to publicly advocate the Hib vaccine. "Seeing what my baby went through, it's not worth taking the chance when ihe Hib vaccine is so readily available to the public". Hib is known as the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age five. Bacterial meningitis has been identified as the number one cause of mental retardation in children. Five to ten percent of the children contracting Hib meningitis will die. -Many of the survivors will suffer permanent nerve deafness, nervous system damage and seizures. Admittedly, Mrs. Persson hadn't heard much about the Hib virus until it had suddenly intruded into :;V.-e-v -S3. 1- 1 1 f t 1 1 I t - a Mm I. f- f V XJ'? ,it -.in w4k fl I XT "NT W. A Jamie Bernards (left) displays centerpiece for Kathleen Rasmussen, wife of Alpine MajwRon JUsnmsen, aTTJtan PajgeafitdfthV. Mayor Ron JUsnmsen. IUsmussens will be among several who will provide centerpieces "A Gift of Wings' theme of Guild ball "A Gift of Wings" will theme the Utah Pageant of the Arts Guild hosted benefit dinner-dance March 1 at the Utah Technical College of Provo-Orem ballroom. The public and all members of the .Guild are invited to attend. Tickets are $30 per couple. Reservations may be made by contacting Sandy Bradshaw at 756-7263 756-7263 or Sandy Moore, 756-4424 before Februarys?. Well-known local and area personalities per-sonalities will provide centerpieces for the individual tables at the dinner, then will serve as host and hostess for that table. Guests will be invited to participate par-ticipate in a silent auction during the evening. The highest bidders will take home one of the elegant centerpieces. cen-terpieces. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Youth Art Scholarship fund. Among the 35 artists, authors, politicans and others furnishing the centerpieces will be Coach La veil Edwards of Brigham Young University; artists Gary Smith and Dennis Smith; and former Utah Governor and Mrs. Scott Matheson. Several Utah County mayors including Mayor Kent Evans of American Fork and Mayor Ronald Rasmussen of Alpine will also be among those providing centerpieces for the occasion. Sharleen Wells, former Miss Utah and Miss America, will be making the centerpiece for her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wells, it was noted. George Durrant will serve as master-of-ceremonies for the gala evening. Music will be by the Oneil Miner Twin Quintet. The program will feature scenes from "Fiddler on the Roof" under the direction of Joan Lindsay, Alpine. Special guests for the evening will include Congressman Howard Nielson (R-Utah) and Mrs. Nielson. if (QQL7(3 650 E. State, American Fork 756-2460 Fine Ladies Apparel 6-18 Final Reduction DOG All remaining Fall & Winter merchandise. ' H Sale starts today! No layaways. mcrM 13 East Main, American Fork 756-5806 Jr. Size Fashions 3-13 their life. However, she was familiar with the controversy over the pertussis vaccine. According to the Health Department, Depart-ment, the Hib is one of the safest vaccines on the market, with no current history of side effects. The Hib vaccine is recommended for 1-5 year olds, and is available through doctors' offices and local health clinics. "The Hib vaccine is so new, people need to be made more aware of it," said Mrs. Persson. "I'd hate to see another child go through what Michael did..." As in Michael's case, the Hib virus is associated with epiglottitis as well as blood poisoning, arthritis, bone infection, pneumonia and inflammation of the heart lining and skin or connective tissue. Hib symptoms vary from fever and inability or difficulty breathing, to intensive, croup-like symptoms and severe lethargy Although the actual symptoms may not appear alarming at first, according to Dr. Nuttall, Michael's pediatrician, "The Hib virus is critical and life-threatening." , ff -JMl Lee Persson (Mrs. Neil) plays with son, now recovered from virus. "Paying $9-$l0 for a simple shot is threatening situation," said Mrs. a lot cheaper than spending $5300 Persson. "I'm so thankful the Hib for hospital ICU care in a life- vaccine is there -I'm a believer!" Brim your usp to date ! Book 99 A with the FREE Telephone Book Update to be distributed with this newspaper April 10, 1986 EASY... FIND... SAVE... SHOP... USE... The UPDATE slips right into your Mt. Bell phone book and stays bound with a convenient tape strip. All the new telephone numbers not in your current book - numbers that have been changed or added since last September. On Directory Assistance Charges.- No need to call for information...the new numbers are listed in the Update. Locally with a "Yellow Page" section listing local businesses right at your fingertips. Give them the first call and you will support your home community and its economy. so. Phone Book Coupons that will save you money all year 'round and not get lost in a cluttered drawer. Watch for your copy of the Update and use it. ADVERTISERS: Get in the phone book early, end target your message to your local community inexpensively. For more information call: Published by Newtah News Group HHRST CALL" Xm North County '&..t rnone dook vf UPDATE Ji Ei K3L Kf TAfl ASS fUCI M TCd Tm2 FIRST !.. CALL" DIRECTORIES First Call Directories is not affiliated with Mt. Bell or U.S. West Directories. |