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Doctor's In-box
As your primary care physicians, we are committed to your total health and well-being. Our physicians share some quick insights with you in this section called: Doctor's In-box.
Dr. Julie says:
FLU CLINIC UPDATES
Greetings,
I know that many of you are concerned about the current widespread H1N1 influenza virus. We are all working hard to see a greatly increased volume of patients, respond to a huge increase in sick visits, and of course, continue to provide well-child checks and all the routine care that your family requires. Unfortunately, because of this dramatic increase in our clinical activity, it has been a challenge to keep up with the volume of phone calls and website requests for influenza information.
In the following Inbox, I've tried to answer some of the most common questions we have gotten about the seasonal flu, H1N1 ("swine") flu, the vaccines, and our office policies. Please take the time to read through this information. I hope it is helpful to you.
First, I think it's important that you all know that all of us at Lexington Pediatrics believe that the H1N1 vaccine is extremely important in maintaining our community's good health through this winter. We know already that the H1N1 virus targets young healthy children and adults, and that people with underlying respiratory conditions are especially at risk. Therefore, we strongly recommend that all our patients plan on receiving the H1N1 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. {As a side note, I will also say that all of us with small children have had them immunized against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.}
We are trying our best to immunize as many patients as possible against both H1N1 and seasonal influenza. If you have a routine appointment in the next few months, you MAY, depending on availability, get your flu shot as well as your H1N1 shot at the appointment. Due to the high volume of patients needing flu shots, we are not able to offer appointments for flu shots alone. Please click here for a link to out upcoming flu clinic dates.
If your child has an egg allergy, we will NOT be able to provide the flu vaccine during the flu clinic. You will need to make private arrangements with our office or your allergist's.
H1N1 (Swine Flu) UPDATE
The H1N1 vaccine is recommended for ALL children ages 6 months to 18 years and their caregivers. Children under the age of 10 will need two vaccines separated by one month. There is a shot as well as a nasal mist option. It is possible to get the "regular" flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine at the same time, as long as they are injected. The nasal mists for flu and H1N1 flu must be given separately.
As of December 13, we have plenty of H1N1 vaccine for all patients. Please click here for a list of upcoming flu clinics. Please note: at times, we have thimerosal-free vaccine for infants younger than 36 months. However, we cannot control which vaccine is shipped to us, and at times cannot offer thimerosal-free vaccine. There is a version of the vaccine which contains trace amounts of mercury as a preservative, and this has NEVER been shown to cause any harm. The doctors and nurse practitioners at Lexington Pediatrics feel that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh any theoretical risk.
Due to the high volume of patients wanting the vaccine, and the fluctuating supply, there is a chance that we will run out of a particular vaccine before a flu clinic is over. If this happens, we will notify those waiting in line as soon as possible to minimize frustration and waiting in the cold. Thank you in advance for your patience; we are reviewing our flu clinic protocols constantly to keep up with this unprecedented demand.
Please click here to check which of the H1N1 vaccinations your child is eligible for. We adjust this eligibility information based on how much vaccine we have available.
We are offering the H1N1 nasal mist to children older than 2 years of age. In order to get the nasal mist, your child must also meet the following criteria:
- No history of asthma
- No wheezing in the past year
- No steroid use in the past 6 weeks
- No live vaccines (MMR, Varivax, seasonal flu mist) in the past 4 weeks
SEASONAL INFLUENZA UPDATE
As of 13 December, we have plenty of all three types of seasonal flu vaccine (preservative-free flu vaccine for children under 3 years of age, nasal "Flumist" for healthy children over 2, injections for children older than 36 months).
Thanks for your patience and for your understanding.
IMPORTANT: if you are coming to Lexington Pediatrics for a visit, please be aware that we are asking ALL patients with fever and cough, as well as their accompanying family members, to wear protective face masks while on the premises. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
FLU READINESS "KITS"
Influenza can infect an entire family, and the symptoms can come on very suddenly. For this reason, we suggest you assemble an emergency "flu kit" at home. This should contain: Gatorade or other rehydration solutions (Pedialyte for babies); herbal tea bags and honey (for rehydration and soothing sore throats and coughs); ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen for treatment of fever and muscle aches; Purell or other hand sanitizing gel; tissues; saltine crackers; canned or frozen broth; freezer pops. [Families with college-age students might want to adapt this list for college kids and send along a care package. ]
Lexington Pediatrics is committed to keeping you and your family safe and healthy. We are receiving multiple updates weekly from the CDC, the Mass Department of Public Health, and from Children's Hospital Boston, and we will continue to update this site with information as we receive it.
Useful Links and Resources
We know that there is an enormous amount of information available via the Internet regarding child-rearing, health, and medicine. It can be difficult to sift through this information and decide if it is trustworthy.
We have assembled some links to websites we believe will be of interest to many patients and families. On theses sites, you can find information on common illnesses and diseases, along with information on preventative medicine. Additionally, some identified sites may be fun and educational for children.
This website is not responsible for any information found on these or any other associated or linked websites. A link to another website does not imply an endorsement of the site's content or services.
Please use these sites for informational purposes only. If you have specific questions about illnesses please make an appointment to see us at our office.
Government Agencies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Vaccine Information
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The American Red Cross
National Library of Medicine
Mercury and Vaccines
Professional Associations
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
La Leche League: national breastfeeding support group
Food, Allergy and Nutrition
Healthy Eating
Kids and Snacks
Dieting vs Proper Eating Habit
Anorexia and Bulimia
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Asthma and allergy Foundation of America
WebMD Allergy
First Aid
Red Cross
A Proper First Aid Kit
Common Household Child Injuries
Protecting Your Medicine Cabinet
Diseases and Conditions
Animal Bites
Lyme Tick Disease
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Attention Deficit Disorder
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Lice Resources
Family Health & Safety
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KidsInDanger.org | : updates on recalled products, advocacy news, and other important information.
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cpsc.gov | : government website for Consumer Product Safety; excellent source for recall information and other safety news.
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Zero to Three
Just for Parents
Just for Teens
Just for Kids
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Youth Noise | : online community for teens to volunteer, find a cause, or share a passion
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WebMD.com
Family TLC
AAP Press Room/Seasonal Safety Tips
AAP Car Seat Safety
National Youth Sports Safety Foundation
Fun Stuff For Kids
How Stuff Works
stonesoup.com: for young writers & artists
Kids National Geographic
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makezine.com | : for school-age kids and parents, a how-to magazine with cool projects
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familyfun.go.com
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readymademag.com | : comprehensive magazine with projects, instructions, and ideas...even for the non-crafty parents!
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Wild Animal Baby magazine | : from the National Wildlife Federation, a monthly subscription magazine for children ages 12 months to 4 years.
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Your Big Backyard magazine | : the NWF's magazine for toddlers. Features nature projects, stories, and fun facts about animals and nature.
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Books and Your Family
Family TLC Activities
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Center for Comp. & Alt. Medicine
herbmed.org
Toxicology Data Network
Local Hospitals
Children’s Hospital Boston
Emerson Hospital
Winchester Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hosptial
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lahey Clinic Hospital
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SPOTLIGHT
The information in these website links is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only.
You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Please call us or seek other qualified medical advice for your medical concerns.
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KNOW MORE |
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Knowlege and information about all aspects of your health are key components of living a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.
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