PennCare for Kids | Penn Medicine

CDC Recommends HPV Vaccine for Males

2011-12-14T12:52:00.000-08:00

Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made new recommendations about the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.

The HPV vaccine, protects against the The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the world, with an estimated 5.5 million people infected annually.

Sexually active individuals have an 80 to 85 percent chance of being infected at some time in their lives.

Although it is considered a sexually transmitted disease, it can be spread by skin-to-skin genital contact without intercourse. It is most prevalent in women 20 to 24 years of age, and prevalence decreases with age, dropping significantly after age 30.

HPV has been linked to an increase risk of cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, and vaginal cancer in women, and penile cancer in men. HPV has also been linked to increase risk for anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers including cancers of the back of the throat, base of the tongue and tonsils.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?
Previously, the CDC recommended that girls ages 11 to 26 receive the HPV vaccine.

The new recommendation states that boys age 11 years and older should get the same HPV vaccine that was previously indicated for females only.

The physicians at PennCare for Kids recommend and encourage parents of boys ages 11 and older receive this vaccine as well.

Please contact the office if you want to schedule you child’s HPV vaccine or if you have questions about the vaccine.

For more information about these new recommendations for the HPV vaccine, visit the CDC’s website or make an appointment with a PennCare for Kids physician by calling 800-789-PENN (7366).

Stay Healthy: Get your flu shot today

2011-09-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon the 2011-2012 season vaccine becomes available.

Charles Schwartz, MD, of PennCare® for Kids says: “Each flu season, different flu viruses develop and spread. The flu can affect people differently based on their body’s ability to fight infection. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu, but certain people are at greater risk for serious complications.”

Getting vaccinated as soon as possible provides protection in case the flu season comes early. It also protects you and your child throughout the entire flu season.

PennCare® for Kids has received its supply of flu vaccine and mist and the staff urges you to make an appointment today. For more information or to make an appointment call 800.789.PENN (7366) or visit PennMedicine.org.

Visit the CDC website for more information about the influenza vaccine.

New Guidelines for Keeping Toddlers Safe

2011-06-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advise parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until they reach the age two or they maximum height and weight specifications posted on the car seat. The previous policy advised infants and toddlers remain in rear-facing car seats until they were a year old.

A 2007 study published in the journal Injury Prevention showed children under two years old are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a car crash if they are riding in a rear-facing child seat.

“Rear-facing seats provide better support for the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in the event of a crash,” said Maurice S. Rozwat, MD, FAAP, of PennCare® for Kids, “Once the child outgrows the infant carrier, the car seat should be used in the rear-facing position until age two.”

The AAP also recommends children over the age of two sit in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the weight and height limits for the car seat and use a belt-positioning booster seat until they reach 4-feet 9-inches tall and are between eight and 12 years of age.

PennCare® for Kids is committed to keep parents informed on changing safety recommendations for children. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call 800-789-PENN (7366) or visit PennMedicine.org.

Protect Children’s Health with this Important Appointment

2011-03-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

It is important that parents bring children in for the two-and-a-half-year (30-month) appointment to ensure their health and happiness, as well as address any parental concerns.

During the visit, parents should be ready to discuss:
• Family routines and activities
• Language promotion and communication
• Social development
• Preschool considerations
• Safety

The visit also includes an in-depth examination of:

• General development
• Oral health
• Blood pressure
• Vision
• Hearing

Well visits are key times to communicate with the pediatrician. It is often helpful for parents to write down questions for the doctor before the appointment so that all of their concerns are addressed. Preventive care for children builds a solid foundation for future good health care habits.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit PennMedicine.org or call 800-789-PENN (7366)

Fight Childhood Obesity

2010-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today, 12.5 million children are overweight in the United States. Overweight children are at greater risk for serious health problems. The pediatricians at PennCare for Kids believe in the importance of parents and adults promoting healthy eating and physical activity.

Here are a few tips to guide families toward healthy eating:

Make sure half of the grains are whole grains. Choose foods such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and brown rice more often.
Eat a variety of veggies. Spinach, broccoli, carrots, and sweat potatoes are very nutritious.
Focus on fruits by having them at meals and snack time, but go easy on fruit juices.
Calcium. Build strong bones by serving low fat and fat-free milk and milk products several times a day.
Serve lean protein. Lean or low fat meat, chicken, turkey, and fish are high in protein, or add chick peas, nuts or seeds to a salad, pinto beans to a burrito or kidney beans to soup.
Bodies need oil, but keep it healthy. Get fats from fish, nuts, and liquid oils such as corn, soybean, canola and olive oil (all in moderation of course).
Choose foods and beverages that do not have sugar and caloric sweeteners listed as one of the first ingredients. Added sugars contribute calories with few, if any, nutrients.

For more information about keeping families healthy, visit:
www.surgeongeneral.gov
www.mypyramid.gov
www.teamnutrition.usda.gov

Teach Good Hand Washing Habits

2010-12-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

The staff at PennCare for Kids knows that hand washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent spreading germs. Parents by example and can demonstrate proper hand washing techniques for kids.

Step 1: Wet hands with water and apply the amount of soap recommended by the manufacturer to hands.
Step 2: Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and giving attention to fingernails and surfaces where jewelry is worn. **For younger children, have them sing a short song such as "Row Row Row Your Boat," or "Happy Birthday" to ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds.
Step 3: Rinse hands with water
Step 4: Dry thoroughly with a disposable towel
Step 5: Use towel to turn off faucet

More information on proper hand washing, along with other educational tools for good hygiene can be found at the American Red Cross.

Cover Your Cough - Stop the spread of germs that can make you and others sick!

2010-11-02T07:59:00.002-07:00

Influenza (flu) and other serious respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands. The doctors at PennCare for Kids offer these tips to help stop the spread of germs.

Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Put used tissues in the waste basket.
If no tissues are available, cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow, not the hands.
In public places, consider wearing a facemask to protect others.
Wash hands often with soap and warm water, and wash for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

More information on proper coughing and sneezing techniques, along with other educational tools for preventing the spread of infection, can be found at the Center for Disease Control.

Back to School Reminders

2010-08-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Has your child received a back-to-school physical and required vaccinations? It's recommended that children receive an annual flu shot or nasal spray vaccine. Students junior-high age and older should receive a meningitis vaccination and physicians recommend children entering kindergarten receive the hepatitis A vaccine as well as a chicken pox booster.

Peter Smith, MD, a PennCare® for Kids pediatrician, reminds parents that simple acts like hand-washing, covering the mouth during a cough or sneeze and abstaining from sharing drinks and utensils are still the best way to prevent the spread of disease.

School Year is Right Around the Corner!

2010-07-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Check out your school’s website to check what vaccinations your child may need before the start of the new school year or prior to the first fall sport/activity practice. Most fall sports programs require completed medical forms prior to student participation.

We do try to accommodate your schedule as well as your student’s schedule, but waiting too late in the summer will limit your appointment time options. As a reminder the is a $2 form fee and be sure to review your insurance benefits regarding physical exams.