COVID19
We are very concerned about the possibility of future health problems for those who contract CoVid-19, so we encourage those who can, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Also, even though we know now that children seem to have milder forms of the disease and recuperate fairly fast there have been bad cases and bad outcomes among children, so please vaccinate your children 5 years and up with the Covid vaccine available for them.
It is extremely important that babies and small children get their regular schedule vaccines because they can be at risk of contracting diseases that do target them and put them at very high risk of mortality and permanent illness (meningitis, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria, etc.), so in keeping with this, we encourage all our patients less than 2 years of age and especially our infants to come for their healthy visits and receive their vaccinations as per American Academy of Pediatric guidelines even at times when CoVid cases are high, we will make arrangements to keep them safe in our office.
IS IT SAFE TO COME TO OUR OFFICE?:Yes!, we are making visits as safe as possible by the following:
- We closed our waiting rooms and are making parents wait in their cars until we have a clean room available, and both for their protection and ours, our nurses, students, and doctors wear masks. We ask that up to two healthy parents/guardians accompany the patient for any given visit (when the community experiences an increase in cases we may ask that only one parent/guardian comes to the office).
- We are aware that some pediatricians’ offices have stopped seeing sick patients, we are committed to our patients and will continue to see sick patients. IF NEED BE, WE TEST FOR COVID-19 VIA PCR WITH RESULTS COMING BACK USUALLY IN 24-48 HRS.
- Masks must be worn inside the office for the protection of our staff.
- We do not accept walk-ins, because they need to be screened so please call our office ahead and we will get you an appointment.
COVID NEWS/info
Enjoy the respite!! The cases have dropped dramatically and because Omicron was so widespread we should enjoy a few months at least, of high antibody levels and some degree of herd protection. We will keep you informed when a significant variant comes around and the situation changes. Meanwhile, if you are vaccinated and have your booster, enjoy the freedom, wear your mask whenever you feel it is necessary (around anyone sick, doctor’s offices – including ours, maybe at the supermarket and stores since there are still a lot of people unvaccinated that can pose a risk to you). If you have not received a CoVid booster shot this is a good time to get it (anyone 12 and up). If you are not vaccinated please protect yourselves and others….even “mild CoVid” can change your life, get vaccinated!
CDC’s updated recommendations allow communities to relax risk mitigation measures like masking when all three of the following conditions are met: low COVID-19 transmission rates, low hospital admission rates, and adequate hospital capacity. Communities with high levels of immunization also have more protections that make masks less critical, though many children and individuals lack this protection.
As for children and masks..…the AAP advises families to consider the following factors in making this decision:
*If their child is between ages 2 and 5 and currently ineligible for COVID-19 vaccine
*If their child is immunocompromised and may not have a protective immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, or is at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness
*If their child is not immunized
*If other members of their family are at higher risk of severe disease or are not immunized
*If they live in a community with “high” COVID-19 transmission
These factors may lead adults and children to continue wearing face masks in public indoor settings, including schools, even if not required. According to the AAP, children, adolescents, and teachers who choose to continue wearing face masks in school settings should be supported in their decision to do so.
BOOSTER SHOT APPROVED FOR 12 AND UP!
And the period from dose #2 to booster is now 5 months. This is because of the way Omicron spreads.
Frequently asked questions: *What happens if I get the vaccine (any dose) and I discover I have CoVid around the same day? Nothing! It will not make you feel worse (or better), just treat your symptoms as needed. Quarantine is now 5 days if asymptomatic from beginning of symptoms or positive CoVid test (whichever came first). *Our office tests children with positive contact AND symptoms (fever, cough/resp symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting)
What to do for your child with CoVid:
1.- Give Vitamin C: 250 mg for small children (2-5 yrs), 500 mg for 5 years and up.
2.- Take them out for some sun outside (off peak sun hours, of course)- Vitamin D!
3.- Chicken soup, fresh orange juice, lemonade and water. Hydration is very important!
4.- Infants should be kept well hydrated and closely monitored.
5.- Children with fever for more than 72 hrs need to be seen in the office – call for appointment.
What to do if someone is CoVid + in the house:
1.- If someone in the household/family is CoVid positive and the children are not sick, no need to test them. Assume they are positive and quarantine for 5 days.
2.- If someone in the household/family is CoVid positive and the children get sick, assume they are positive, no need to test them. Treat the symptoms (fever, cold, cough, vomiting or diarrhea) as you would with any other virus, quarantine for 5 days.
3.- Go to Urgent Care or ED if:
* Difficulty breathing/ shortness of breath
* Their fluid losses from vomiting/diarrhea are higher than
what he/she takes in. Early signs of dehydration: dry mouth,
no tears, not urinating.
* Fever lasting more than 72 hrs and our office is closed
* Lethargy without fever
4.- Call the office if:
* Fever lasts more than 72 hrs
* Cough is severe, doesn’t allow the child to sleep
* Vomiting and/or diarrhea
* Rashes over body
* Child looks ill
* Poor feeding
DO NOT go to UC/ED for fever of less than 72 hrs if your child otherwise looks good. You will expose them to other diseases and overcrowd our emergency health system.
