Post #57 All Encompassing COVID Scenario Chart
This updated chart should help families know what to do for almost any COVID scenario.The Low-Risk vs High-Risk chart is a BLUE FISH concept and it is NOT from the CDC. Because of the abundance of other viruses out there, we have found it far more helpful to use this criteria to help delineate those we consider " presumed " cases. The conservative thing to do is to consider even one Low-Risk symptom COVID until otherwise proven. Of course testing can always help as well. (Source: A Pediatrician's Blog)
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - August 29, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #56 Back-to-School Advice for the COVID-19 Delta Surge
It is with a mix of frustration and hope that I am writing a second back-to-school blog about COVID-19. At this same time last year, there were so many unknowns about the pandemic and how to handle returning to school. The uncertainty led to fear, which in turn fueled a respect for the virus, which unfortunately is lacking in the current decision-making to ban mask mandates. The irony is we have so much more science and data than we did at this time last year that we could and should be smarter about our policies. Nonetheless, with some children vaccinated, and more to become eligible soon, this next school year...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - August 20, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #55 COVID-19 Vaccine for 12 to 15 Year Old Adolescents
The Pfizer vaccine will soon be offered to 12-15 year olds, raising a mild conundrum for parents.Should they skip the vaccine, given that most children have fared well when infected with COVID-19 (many already having been infected)? Or should they immunize their child(ren), even though the vaccine is relatively new and doesn ’t have a long track record?Vaccines have had their missteps, most notably the recalled RotaShield immunization in 1999. However, the recall of RotaShield and the recent temporary pause of the Johnson&Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should instill confidence in the robustness and capability o...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - May 8, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #54 Summer Camp Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021)
With the widespread deployment of COVID-19 immunizations and the knowledge that children are at far lower risk for serious COVID-19 disease and complications, it may be tempting to sign your children up for summer camp. However, please bear in mind that because the COVID-19 vaccine will likely not be available for children (under 16yo) until late 2021/early 2022 and with the spread of new COVID-19 variants, there is still real risk to children from the pandemic. Some questions to ask yourself in choosing whether or not to send your child to summer camp this year: 1. How healthy is your...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - March 28, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #53 Parenting by Paul David Tripp: Ownership Parenting vs. Ambassador Parenting
A big picture worldview excerpt from Paul Tripp ’s book Parenting really blew my mind this morning. It really helps to put into perspective how we should approach parenting and what our responsibilities truly are and what we can and should turn over to God.Too many parents saddle themselves with unnecessary and unrealistic burdens about their role in raising their children, which can lead to fractious relationships and sinking self-worth (for both parties). The passage below is in the introduction of Paul Tripp ’s book and it was so overwhelmingly insightful, I wanted to share this with everyone who has ...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - January 3, 2021 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #52 Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul Offit M.D.
Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far by Paul Offit M.D.I am admittedly a huge fanboy of Paul Offit, an infectious disease guru at Children ' s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the preeminent pediatric hospitals in the world. His latest bookOverall: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far, is a collection of medical facts that are already known to the well-read individual, but fly in the face of wrongly-held, out-dated, commonly-believed medical concepts. The majority of the incorrect information was previously considered the standard of care, but newer and better science and studies have clearly demonstrate...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - September 23, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #51 Our Family ’s School Decision Making Process
My boys do not want to wear pants.A small factor, but part of the reason they campaigned for remote learning. My daughter, who generally prefers clothing, remained on the fence.The remote vs. in-person learning decision has so many different factors it is very difficult as a pediatrician to give families a single clear answer.As new data emerges, it further confounds a family ’s decision that seemed crystal clear just 2 internet articles ago.Several people have asked point blank, “What are you doing for your own kids?”If I have left your text unanswered or have not replied to your email or Facebook comment, I apologi...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - August 1, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #50 School Reopening during the COVID-19 Pandemic
There is probably a no more emotionally charged topic of discussion currently than that of school reopening this fall. And for good reason - nearly everyone has a stake in it.Society is concerned because of the real risk of increased community spread.Teachers are concerned because of the COVID-19 risk to themselves and how the logistics of school will directly affect their livelihood and stress level as they have to constantly adjust to the barrage of changes and duties. Families are concerned because of the COVID-19 risk to their children and to those living at home. Not to mention, many depend on school to allow for...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - July 23, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #49 Church Small Group Meeting Guidance during COVID-19 Pandemic
Updated June 13, 2020Disclaimer: COVID-19 is a pandemic in flux. As the number of active cases and hospital ICU occupancy changes and new research comes out, recommendations will change. Please check with your church, doctor, local health departments, and www.CDC.gov for the most up-to-date information and guidance on meeting in person.As most people know by now, COVID-19 is mainly targeting the old, immunocompromised, and individuals with underlying health issues. But it bears reminding that normal, healthy young adults are also getting severely ill. Importantly, children of all ages have been aff...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - June 13, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #49 Church Small Group Meeting Guidance
Updated June 13, 2020Disclaimer: COVID-19 is a pandemic in flux. As the number of active cases and hospital ICU occupancy changes and new research comes out, recommendations will change. Please check with your church, doctor, local health departments, and www.CDC.govfor the most up-to-date information and guidance on meeting in person.As most people know by now, COVID-19 is mainly targeting the old, immunocompromised, and individuals with underlying health issues. But it bears reminding that normal, healthy young adults are also getting severely ill. Importantly, children of all ages have been afflicted...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - June 13, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #48 Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Update
Well before news of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on our borders, travels, news cycle, and hand sanitizer supplies, influenza was quietly going about its yearly routine business with minimal hubbub from the media.To put things in perspective, consider that for the 2019-20 flu season, there have been an estimated 20,000 - 52,000 deaths thus far per the Center for Disease Control in the United States alone. That is just one country.In contrast, there have been approximately 3,600 deaths from COVID-19 worldwide. More deaths are sure to follow, and quite possibly, the final tally may far outstrip that of the seasonal flu.An unkn...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - March 8, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #47 How to Optimally Utilize Tamiflu
Every year in the United States, the CDC estimates that influenza results in between 9 million – 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths (approximately 100 – 200 being pediatric fatalities). In the United States, the immense disease burden of the flu is unparalleled with any other pathogen, but fortunately there is a vaccine and antiviral medications which help to mitigate the yearly morbidity and mortality wrought by influenza.Because the flu changes its shape every year by a process called antigenic shift and drift, i...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - February 22, 2020 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #45 How to be Optimally Measles Immunized
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes – the kicker is this can happen 2 hours AFTER said person has left the room. Measles starts with a fever; soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out which starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.It is important to recognize that fever and rash are extremely common in children and the vast majority of fever/rash cases will not be Measles.Unless you are reading about local cases of Measles in the news – it is highly impro...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - April 30, 2019 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #44 Transitioning Babies to Solid Foods
This is an unedited excerpt from my 2nd book, "What to Know Before Having Your Baby" - coming out in February of 2017.Because infants begin their life on breast milk, parents often think that milk is essential for their child’s diet even beyond the first year of life. While milk is absolutely important for the first few months of life, once babies can start eating solids, the value of milk (breast, formula, or cow’s) quickly diminishes. Milk’s main purpose is for humans (and animals) to provide an easy source of nutrition to their babies until they are ready for solid foods – which offer a far greater d...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - June 3, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
Post #43 My Father the Pediatrician
I recently wrote a new book geared to help parents have more meaningful conversations with their pediatrician and which will hopefully save them a copay or two as well! As I reflect back on the five year journey in writing this book, I wanted to highlight the contributions of my biggest influence – my dad.In the summer of 1973, my father, thirty years at the time, boarded a plane with his best friend to fly overseas for the very first time in his life. Having recently finished medical school and his mandatory army training in South Korea, he was headed to the United States to begin his residency in Passa...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - December 10, 2015 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs
