While for the majority of children fever is not an emergency- there are a certain group of children that fever is considered dangerous. Think of the Three I’s Think of the […]

When Is a Fever an Emergency?

While for the majority of children fever is not an emergency- there are a certain group of children that fever is considered dangerous. Think of the Three I’s

Think of the Three I’s

  • Immune compromised– children that do not have a well working immune system cannot fight off infection and therefore when they have fever they need to see their healthcare professional immediately
  • Immunization– babies less than two months of age are at higher risk for bacterial infection and if your child has not had his 2-month vaccines and has a temperature over 100 degrees rectally you should consider this a medical emergency and go directly to the emergency department
  • Intake– having a fever WILL make your child uncomfortable- especially if it is over 102.  Often this leads to poor drinking and if your child cannot drink enough they may become dehydrated. If you think your child might be dehydrated due to fever then bring them to see the doctor immediately.
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For parents, doctors and pharmacy companies, fever has been thought to be “the enemy”. We should be scared of fever and make it go away as fast as possible. This […]

Fever is Good – Most of the Time

For parents, doctors and pharmacy companies, fever has been thought to be “the enemy”. We should be scared of fever and make it go away as fast as possible. This may be a very dangerous idea for the following reasons.

Fever Facts

  • All animals, even single cell organisms, have fever. Therefore it is felt to be important in protecting us in some way.
  • Studies show that increasing the body temperature decreases the ability of bacteria to multiply and spread. That gives antibiotics a chance to work faster.
  • Newer studies also show that the increase in body temperature activates a special kind of white blood cells- aptly named “killer T cells”. The activation of these killers means that your body can fight virus infections better and may be the only “treatment” needed for getting rid of the most common form of infection.

Therefore- not letting your body have a fever when you have an infection may actually make the virus last longer and take the antibiotics longer to work for bacteria infections.

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In 1980, Pediatrician  Dr. Barton Schmitt created the term “Fever Phobia” to describe the misconceptions that many parents and physicians have regarding fever. Since that initial study, many other researchers […]

Fever Phobia

In 1980, Pediatrician  Dr. Barton Schmitt created the term “Fever Phobia” to describe the misconceptions that many parents and physicians have regarding fever. Since that initial study, many other researchers have looked at how parents react to a child with fever. Most all studies show that the majority of parents do not understand key concepts related to fever, such as what defines a fever, how dangerous is a fever and how should fever be treated.

Throughout the month of September, The Children’s Clinic will be providing daily information for parents about what defines a fever and how to treat fever in children. It is hoped that this factual information will help alleviate the myths and fears that are associated with fever and guide parents on when to call for an appointment and when to be concerned if their child develops fever.

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Ticks & Lyme Disease in Children

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Although anyone can get Lyme disease, children spend a lot of time outdoors and are at particular risk.

  • Reasons to suspect that your child may have Lyme disease include:
  • Your family lives in or has visited a region where Lyme disease is commonly found
  • You know or suspect that your child has been exposed to ticks
  • Your child is experiencing symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, or facial paralysis

Children sometimes experience joint pain as their first, and possibly only, symptom of Lyme disease. If you suspect that your child may have Lyme disease, call us promptly.

Protect your family from Lyme disease

  • Use insect repellent that contains 20 – 30% DEET. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
  • Make children bathe or shower as soon as possible after they come indoors.
  • Look for ticks on their bodies. Ticks can hide under the armpits, behind the knees, in the hair, and in the groin.
  • Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.

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For more information, download this brochure from the CDC.
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We will start our summer hours for our Walk-in Clinic this Saturday, May 13. Saturday hours will be from 9am to 12pm. Weekday hours will remain 8am to 6pm.

Summer Saturday Hours

We will start our summer hours for our Walk-in Clinic this Saturday, May 13. Saturday hours will be from 9am to 12pm. Weekday hours will remain 8am to 6pm.

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by Melissa Jenco · News Content Editor American Academy of Pediatrics News Codeine and tramadol should not be used to treat pain or cough in children younger than 12 years […]

Do not use codeine, tramadol in children: FDA

by Melissa Jenco · News Content Editor American Academy of Pediatrics News

Codeine and tramadol should not be used to treat pain or cough in children younger than 12 years as they could be fatal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday.
The FDA unveiled several changes to the labels of the medications to protect children, adolescents and infants being breastfed.

“We are requiring these changes because we know that some children who received codeine or tramadol have experienced life-threatening respiratory depression and death because they metabolize (or break down) these medicines much faster than usual (called ultra-rapid metabolism), causing dangerously high levels of active drug in their bodies,” Douglas Throckmorton, M.D., deputy center director for regulatory programs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

The FDA is adding the following new restrictions to the warning labels of codeine and tramadol:

  • Codeine is contraindicated to treat pain or cough, and tramadol is contraindicated for treating pain in children under 12.
  • Tramadol is contraindicated for treating pain after surgery to remove tonsils and/or adenoids for children under 18. Use of codeine for this purpose was placed under the same restriction in 2013.
  • Codeine and tramadol are not recommended for use in adolescents ages 12-18 who are obese or have conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or severe lung disease.
  • Mothers should not breastfeed when taking codeine or tramadol.

Since 1969, codeine has been linked to 64 cases of serious breathing problems, including 24 deaths in children and adolescents. Tramadol is not approved for pediatric use but has been tied to nine cases of serious breathing problems, including three deaths in children and adolescents, according to the FDA. There also have been cases of breathing problems in breastfed infants whose mothers were taking codeine.

In September 2016, the Academy released a clinical report Codeine: Time to Say “No” that expressed concerns about the dangers of codeine use in children and called for more formal restrictions.
The FDA recommends physicians use other medications for treating cough and pain. Officials also encouraged parents to pay close attention to the ingredients in medication they give their children and seek immediate medical attention if children taking the restricted medications experience difficulty breathing, confusion, unusual sleepiness, trouble breastfeeding or limpness.

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FDA Drug Safety Communication http://bit.ly/2or5PHZ
FDA Q&A on the use of codeine and tramadol in breastfeeding women, http://bit.ly/2pjylz2
Consumer Update: Codeine and Tramadol Can Cause Breathing Problems for Children, http://bit.ly/2pWK2b8
Healthychildren.org information for parents on the use of codeine, http://bit.ly/2ovoQrL
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Childhood shyness is common and it causes concern for some parents.  A child may be shy because of many reasons, such as, harsh living situations, neglected or rejected.  In some […]

Shyness

Childhood shyness is common and it causes concern for some parents.  A child may be shy because of many reasons, such as, harsh living situations, neglected or rejected.  In some cases, shyness can be disabling.  Extremely shy children can find it hard to socialize at school and the longer this goes on the more reclusive they can become.  Some children just need time to adjust to a new setting and they will do well in relationships and social settings.  Parents can guide their children into social situations and they can learn how to interact in a successful way.  Children want to be liked but sometimes are rejected by their peers.  When a child is rejected it could be because of their impulsive and disruptive behavior.  This can lead to a child being neglected.  Which often means they are ignored, forgotten, not invited to parties, or picked last for teams.  Successful socializing interactions require skills and special ways of interacting.  Parents should look for these skills in their children and help develop them.

  • Forgiving
  • Apologizing
  • Expressing  affection
  • Sharing
  • Asking for help
  • Helping others
  • Comforting someone
  • Doing favors
  • Keeping secrets
  • Sticking up for a friend
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