Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young People

On Monday, January 2nd, 2023, NFL fans around the country watched in horror as 24-year-old Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in the middle of the game. To an outsider, Hamlin was seemingly in peak physical condition. Although we do not know Hamlin’s full health history, it is likely that he suffered […]

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Things to Know About the Flu Vaccine

This flu season is off to an early start. In October, a record number of children under age 4 years were hospitalized with the flu—the most in 10 years. The best thing parents can do to protect their children and others from the flu is to get them vaccinated! Influenza viruses change yearly. All children age 6 […]

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Vaccine Preventable Diseases: POLIO

Polio For parents of an earlier era, polio was one of the most feared infectious  diseases. Many were worried about letting their children swim in public  swimming pools or get together at neighborhood movie theaters because  they were afraid that their youngsters might become the next victims of  polio. After the polio vaccine became widely available in the mid-1950s, the world saw a dramatic decline in this disease. Polio is caused by a virus that affects infants and young children more often than other age groups. It is spread through close person-to-person contact and can produce paralysis of the muscles. Some cases are  mild, but others are much more severe, leaving people physically impaired for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the polio vaccine, the wild poliovirus  has been virtually eliminated from the United States and much of the rest of the world. Signs and Symptoms For most people, polio may cause no symptoms at all. At times, however, it  can impair and paralyze the arms and legs. It causes death in some people, most often when the muscles involved in breathing become paralyzed.  When symptoms occur, they may begin with a low-grade fever and a sore throat, beginning about 6 to 20 days after exposure  to the poliovirus. Some children may also have pain or stiffness in the back, neck, and legs, although these symptoms may not last long. When polio results in paralysis, the muscle pain can be severe. The most contagious period for polio is 7 to 10 days before the appearance  of symptoms. It can continue for another 7 to 10 days after symptoms  surface. No treatment is available for polio. Some children fully recover from polio, but others are disabled for a  lifetime or may die from the disease. To protect your child from polio, make sure that he is properly immunized against the disease. Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/vaccine-preventable-diseases/Pages/Polio.aspx

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The Importance of Sports Physicals

It’s back to school next month, make sure you have your sports physical for the upcoming school year. If your child participates in sports, it’s important for you to schedule an appointment for your child’s sports physical. GOALS OF THE PREPARTICIPATION SPORTS EXAMINATION — The goals of the preparticipation sports examination are to: Maximize safe […]

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Calling all 6th Graders…

If your child is preparing to enter in the 6th grade, then it’s time for you’re his/her checkup and immunizations. Most schools require the immunizations and a blue slip before starting the 6th grade.  At these visits, your provider will: –       Check your child’s height, weight and body mass index –       Measure vital signs such as […]

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Schedule Your Child’s Well Check-up!

It is important that you bring your child in for well-child checkups.  The American Academy of Pediatrics  recommend annual well-child checkups.  At these visits we will be doing routine care such as checking height, weight, body mass index, vital signs, vision and hearing screens, laboratory values and immunizations if needed.  We will also be discussing […]

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