The school year is well underway now and some problems may have become evident. Some kids feel anxious about their situations and may experience problems socially, with schoolwork, or bullying. Contact your school guidance counselor, speak with the teachers or the principal and advocate for your child’s well-being. If you need further advice or need to discuss any school-related problems call the office. Often it is helpful to schedule a consultation in the office and talk about the situation. Do not wait until the difficulties cause problems outside of school. You can read more at:
It is extremely important to keep kids safe, especially in the winter months when there are some added dangers. Although the snow and ice create fun situations to play, children can get injured more easily. Some things to prevent these injuries include: supervise kids and insist that they are sledding and skating away from cars and trees and walls. Teach kids to sled with feet first, and have them wear helmets especially if going down larger, steeper hills. Children and adults should wear helmets when skiing and snowboarding. Make sure that children are kept away from snowblowers. Talk to kids about digging into snow mounds and watch them to protect them against being buried under the snow. For more information on safety go to:
Hockey, basketball, skating, and skiing can all lead to head injuries, and a few children will get concussions. Both parents and kids need to know the signs and symptoms of concussion, and how to diagnose and treat these brain injuries. We are here to help advise you regarding your children’s individual treatments based on their signs and symptoms. Please call the office if your child has had any head injury so we can decide what needs to be done. Please refer to the following links for more detailed information:
It is still not too late to get your influenza (flu) vaccine. Please call the office to schedule an appointment to receive a flu shot. The flu vaccine is recommended for all children over 6 months but it is especially important for children in daycare and children with any chronic medical problem. Any children over 9 years old, and those under 8 years of age who have received 2 flu vaccines in the past need only one vaccine this year. Infants 6 months and older should receive 2 influenza shots one month apart. They can receive them at the time of their regular well checkups or an additional appointment just to receive the vaccine can be made. We try to accommodate people’s schedule as much as possible. If you have questions about influenza and the vaccines available, call the office or go to:
Bacterial meningitis is a serious and potentially fatal infection which affects adolescents and young adults. A new vaccine called Men B is now available and is recommended for 16- to 18-year-olds. For more information read:
It is now recommended that all adolescents get immunized against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This was determined by the public health officials to reduce the spread of HPV throughout the young adult community. The virus is very prevalent and has been shown to cause various types of cancers in young adults, both males and females. Adolescent children should receive this vaccine, at age 11 and 12 years. Recent studies from previous vaccinated children has shown twice as high antibody levels which should provide improved protection for younger adolescents compared to older teens and young adults. For those who get the first dose before their 15th birthday, only two doses are given six to 12 months apart. If they begin after 15, the vaccine must be given in three doses over at least six months. If you have questions please call the office.
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