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Show i1 Citizen, Press, Review, Wed., Feb. 26, 1986 -- Page 9 ? Toddler survives bout with Hib it ! 'I 1 ' - L. A .. ; . - i ; .t p 'MtM0C5?s ' - 'Utit0k mvt&fa&toM!a a MemMljJ! MM &$ it's their life. However, she was familiar with the controversy over the pertussis vaccine. According to the Health 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 2-- 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-lik- e 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 N "If I had put my baby to bed, I would have never heard him. It really scares me; he would have . died!" Lee Persson of Pleasant ' Grove knows first hand the seriousness of the Hib virus. Hib, an abbreviation for haemophilus influenza type B, is a serious childhood illness affecting children yearly in the U.S. It also affected Michael Persson. Wednesday, Michael awoke from a late nap fussy and irritable. By 8 p.m. his temperature was elevated responding well to Tylenol and ibut liquids. his dad went to bed at 10 Michael was still up and playing and feeling much better. I His mother cuddled her active son on the couch, hoping that the TV would settle him down for the night. The changes in Michael's con-dition weren't dramatic. In fact, no ; one but the child's mother would have noticed the slight change in H the sound of his breathing, and the almost imperceptible difference in the way he 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. In-stinctively S she knew to get Michael to the hospital. His mother's quick out! 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 breathing and ordered The revealed epiglottitis. The structure located near the base of Michael's tongue was swelling and obstructing his airway. If un-treated and allowed to close, Michael would suffocate and die. Dr. Timpson, head anesthesiologist, Dr. Stevens, tracheotomy specialist, and Dr. Nuttall, pediatrician, were 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. Micahel's throat had almost closed completely during the brief in-terval. So severe was the swelling that the tiny tube selected to keep the airway open had to be the size generally used on a newborn. Shortly after midnight, the g procedure was completed. The stand-b- y 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 the 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 Lee Persson (Mrs. Neil) plays with son, now recovered from virus. "Paying $9-$l-0 for a simple shot is a lot cheaper than spending $5300 for hospital ICU care in a life--. threatening situation," said Mrs. Persson. "I'm so thankful the Hib vaccine is there - I'm a believer!" l . f I I . f ft i . . WA A isXk1 V Si x .' ; - t. I fv , A " V , J I Jamie Bernards (left) displays centerpiece for Kathleen Rasmussen, wife of Alpine 1 Mayor Ron Rasmusen. Rasmussens.will be among several who will provide centerpieces pat Utah Pageant ofthe Arts Guild diniaerdance on Ma.rcWw-- .i I 'A Gift of Wings' theme of Guild ball i 1 I "A Gift of Wings" will theme the i Utah Pageant of the Arts Guild II hosted benefit dinner-danc- e March 1 1 at the Utah Technical College of 1 Provo-Ore- ballroom. 1 The public and all members of the I , Guild are invited to attend. Tickets jj are $30 per couple. ! Reservations may be made by H contacting Sandy Bradshaw at 756- - 7263 or Sandy Moore, 756-442- 4 before February 27. 1 Well-know- n local and area per- - sonalities will provide centerpieces ( for the individual tables at the dinner, then will serve as host and l hostess for that table. I Guests will be invited to par-ticipate in a silent auction during the evening. The highest bidders will take home one of the elegant 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 Lavell 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-ceremoni- 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 and Mrs. Nielson. Bring yonnr'"Book", imp to date! AiS & e eac A with the FREE Telephone Book Update to be distributed with this newspaper April 10, 1986 EASY... The UPDATE slips right into your Ml Bell phone book and stays bound with a convenient tape strip. FIND... All the new telephone numbers not in your current book -- - numbers that have been changed or added since last September. SAVE... On Directory Assistance Charges. No need to call for information. ..the new numbers are listed in the Update. SHOP... 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. USE... Phone Book Coupons filftiIf ! :. f that will save you money il$ ' first all year 'round and not rC " ' CALL get lost in a cluttered Bf drawer. ; .North County :iif Phone Book ' SO... Watch for your copy of UPDATE the Update and use it. iifr - ADVERTISERS: Get in the phone book early, and ifi"fcl 'k !A target your message to your local community '41 ffgrji fj&4 CX inexpensively. For more information call: I J&fikj TWi 57E6-7G6- 9 1fH fm) fffl Published by Newtah News Group X PEU OfF TAP! AND MACE IN YOUR PHONE BOOK CrM"rirTt fS InstrucUoms on back pagp) r I Kb I In Ihc book 1 CALL" DIRECTORIES First Call Directories is not affiliated with Mt. Bell or U.S. West Directories. 1- - If ovows 650 E. State, American Fork 756-246- Fine Ladies Apparel 8 Final Reduction G0G7(3DDG 0GgO All remaining Fall & Winter merchandise. Sale starts today! No layaways. mJ- - Icvnrsm in' 13 East Main, American Fork 756-580- 6 Jr. Size Fashions 3 |