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Summer vacation—for the kids, anyway—is finally here. With the water park calling, scheduling your child’s back-to-school or annual checkup may be the last thing on your mind, but early summer is actually the best time of year to do so.

1. Checkups catch signs of trouble early

Medically, we might not think of preventive care as being as important for children as it is for adults, but most pediatricians can share countless stories of catching problems during regular checkups that could have been far more serious if addressed much later.

Remember, pediatricians are trained to catch signs of trouble before symptoms really flare.

Even if you don’t need proof of a physical exam for your child this year and don’t have any scheduled vaccinations for a while, the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends an annual well-child visit. Note that well visits are different from sick visits, during which just a particular problem, such as an ear infection or allergic reaction, is the focus.

Well visits are more head-to-toe in nature, covering not just a physical exam, but also a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment. We’ll discuss in more detail all that goes into well visits in an upcoming post.

2. Pediatricians help back you up

One reason I look forward to my children’s checkups is the opportunity to have our pediatrician reinforce behaviors I want my kids to take seriously. I don’t know about you, but my children, ages 7 and 8, are more eager to impress a role model such as their doctor than they are boring old me.

So when our pediatrician engages them in a quick discussion about the importance of eating a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables, wearing their bike helmets, reading for fun, and more, it makes those things an easier sell for me at home.

The start of summer is an excellent time for kids to hear these reminders. 

3. You can beat the rush

Additionally, our office isn’t nearly as busy in July as it will be right before school resumes, when a lot of parents are rushing to squeeze well visits in at the last minute.

Avoid the crunch by calling our office today. Save even more time (and money) by requesting to have any forms, such as for sports participation, filled out during your child’s visit. 

4. A pleasant experience is doable

We understand that some kids are not big fans of going to the doctor, which makes for a disincentive to schedule any visit that isn’t absolutely necessary. But again, once problems develop it’s too late for preventive care.

An earlier post from one of our medical assistants offers some great tips for helping children feel more at ease with the experience—and therefore less likely to put you through the wringer for bringing them.

Honestly, an annual checkup is a nice opportunity for kids to feel special and get to show off a little. My children really enjoy the attention they get from their doctor and the staff and finding out how much they’ve grown.

Shots are not their favorite, of course, but a little praise for putting up with the pinch goes a long way. 

5. It’s cost-effective

Keep in mind, however, that most insurance companies will pay for one well-visit per 12-month period. So if your child’s last checkup was in September, for example, you can’t move it earlier this year, only ratchet forward (but check with your carrier to be sure).

The good news is that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health plans have improved their coverage for preventive care. This means more cash leftover for all of the other summer activities on your list!

As parents, we sure know a lot more about sun safety than we did as kids or young adults ourselves. SPF 2 dark tanning oil, anyone?

But even though we now understand the importance of protecting our children from excessive sun exposure and have resources such as this blog and healthychildren.org at our fingertips, following this advice is sometimes easier said than done.

Here are a few sun-protection snafus I’ve experienced personally, and how your family can help prevent them:

1. Over-reliance on sunscreen. Parents don’t always think about it this way, but pediatricians will tell you that sunscreen is actually a third-line defense. Among the most effective ways to protect children from sun exposure is with clothing. While you can purchase swim shirts and other protective garments labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), any tightly woven materials generally block out more rays than lighter fabrics. In addition, remember to be most sun-cautious during peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If participating in outdoor activities between these hours, try to find a shady spot to work in some “sun breaks” throughout the day.

2. Overlooked exposure. Easily missed or forgotten spots to cover include tops of feet; scalps (especially hair parts); and areas covered by dry swimsuits, but notsomuch once material gets waterlogged and/or full of sand. Just being aware of these vulnerabilities is half the battle, but I find the best way to handle the shifting-swimsuit scenario is to apply one good layer of sunscreen onto kids before they get dressed, going in a couple inches more than it looks to be necessary. Eyeballs themselves are also vulnerable to sun damage, so wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are not just fashionable, but essential.

3. Being in a rush. It may feel as though slathering squirmy children in sunscreen takes forever, but it’s really just a few moments that can contribute to kids’ lifelong health. To make sure your efforts are not in vain, use a sunscreen that says "broad-spectrum," with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (up to 50). Sunscreen sticks can make facial application faster, but remember to blend and be more thorough than you’d think. Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before going outside—and reapplied every 80 minutes or sooner after swimming. Please don’t make the mistake of skipping your own sun-protection ritual to save time! It’s not just an ill-advised sacrifice, but also a poor example.

4. Not making kids accountable. Although you shouldn’t rely on young children to pack protective items or apply sunscreen themselves (despite the hilarious photo-op potential!), it’s never too early to instill sun safety into their consciousness. Just talking about all of these topics with your children and as a family can help encourage good habits. Once understanding a rule, what kid doesn’t love to correct his or her parents when it’s not followed? In this situation, hearing, “Mommy, you missed a spot!” may be a valuable reminder.

In the event your child does get sunburned, we have a tool on our website explaining when to call the office, along with how to care for minor sunburn symptoms at home.

Many parents have contacted the office with concerns regarding the current measles outbreak.

As of today, there are no confirmed cases of measles in our area other than the isolated case identified in Palatine nearly 2 weeks ago.

If you or your family members were present at any of the following locations during the dates listed below, and are showing signs of illness, please contact the cook county health department (847-818-4020).

• Supermercado Guzman, 1611 N. Baldwin Road in Palatine, between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 & 13
• Northwest Community Hospital emergency room, 800 W. Central Road in Arlington Heights, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 and from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 17
• Vista Clinic, 1585 N. Rand Road in Palatine between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Jan. 16

Overall, there have been 102 cases identified nationally in 14 states, with the vast majority localized to California.

The CDC provides an up-to-date surveillance website with number of current cases and location and it is updated frequently.

Be mindful that social media sites may not be accurate sources of information. Please see this information at
http://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

Please also review the following comprehensive information available on the cdc.gov website for details about measles itself, transmission, signs and symptoms, complications, and vaccine recommendations. http://www.cdc.gov/features/measles/

To date, there are no changes to the CDC recommendations for the measles vaccination schedule.

At Salud Pediatrics, we continue to recommend timely vaccinations for all our patients as they are the best and safest way to prevent the spread of vaccine preventable illness.

Vaccinations are not only important for individual health, but also our health as a community.

By providing timely immunizations to each individual, we also protect those who cannot receive the vaccine – for example, those that are too young, battling cancer, or immune disorders.

The current vaccine recommendations are as follows:

Children:
CDC recommends routine childhood immunization for MMR vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.

Students at post-high school educational institutions:
Students at post-high school educational institutions without evidence of measles immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Adults:
People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

International travelers:
People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles. Before travelling internationally,

• Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine
• Children 12 months of age or older should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine (the first dose of MMR vaccine should be administered at age 12 months or older; the second dose no earlier than 28 days after the first dose)
• Teenagers and adults born during or after 1957 without evidence of immunity against measles should have documentation of two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.

Written by Dr. Sandra Graba

We wanted to let all of those wonderful parents that entrust the care of their children to us that we will be making changes to our office hours.

The change is due to Dr. Graba’s maternity leave. That’s right! For those that don’t know, Dr. Graba and her family is expecting their third child. Yay Dr. Graba!

The office hours change will go into effect the last week of February (beginning Feb 23rd)

We expect to return to our regular office hours in May of this year.

We will update our hours page on pediatrics.com once the new schedule goes into effect as to not cause any confusion.

In the meantime, here’s the new schedule:

We tell our kids to use their elbows, instead of their hands, to cover cough or sneezes. We also ensure they use hand sanitizer as often as they can after playing outside, touching grocery carts and visiting the restroom.

As it turns out, there is something just as bad at spreading germs that most don't even consider it. And that is MONEY

Dr. Pai, from Kids Plus Pediatrics explains to use that scientists are discovering a surprising number of microbes (Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi) living on cash.

His conclusion? Bottom line: all money is dirty, and bad germs lurk in many unexpected places!

To read in detail Dr. Pai's article, click on the link below

Although vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu, practicing healthy habits can also lend a hand in prevention. For example, washing your children’s hands and asking them to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing is a good way to avoid spreading germs. Of course it always best to stay away from people who are sick. 

Flu vs. Colds

Flu symptoms can vary from child to child – and they can change as the illness progresses. The flu has symptoms that make a child worse than symptoms associated with a common cold. However, it is not that easy to tell the difference between the two. To help decide whether your child is fighting the flu or a cold, ask yourself these questions about your child’s symptoms.

Questions to ask - Is it Flu or is it a Cold?

Flu Cold

Was your child's onset of illness Sudden Slow

Does your child have a Fever No (or mild) fever

Is your child's exhaustion level Severe Mild

Is your child's cough Dry Severe or hacking

Is your child's throat Fine Sore

Is your child's head Achy Headache - free

Is your child's appetite Decreased Normal or midly decreased

Are your child's muscles Achy Fine

Does your child have Chills No Chills

What to do if my child has the flu? 

Unlike other infections, the flu does not always require treatment. But it is always best to inform your pediatrician since the illness can become complicated if your child is running a fever and/or dehydrated. Doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine, but in reality, these medicine usually only shorten the course of the infection by just 1 or 2 days-provided your child’s illness is reported at an early stage. Here are a few helpful tips one can do to help your child feel better should he or she come down with the flu.

• Offer plenty of fluids. Try ice pops, icy drinks and soft fruits should your child get tired of drinking water.
• Encourage bed rest.
• Acetaminophens (such as Tylenol) and ibuprofens (such as Advil or Motrin) tend to relieve aches and pains. Do not give aspirin.
• It is important to continue encouraging healthy habits by washing you and your family’s hands thoroughly and often. 
• Keep them home from work or school. You will help prevent others from catching their illness.

Common Cold

Common cold symptoms may include sore throat, headache, mild fever, aches and loss of appetite. Unfortunately, no effective cold vaccine has ever been developed, so it is not easy to prevent. But much like the flu, practicing healthy habits can go a long way.

Some people believe that kids may be more vulnerable to colds if they do not eat nutritious meals; they are stressed or tired; if they are exposed to cold, wet weather - but there is little evidence to support many of these beliefs.

Treatment for the common cold is “time.” There isn’t much one can do. However you should contact your pediatrician if there is increased throat pain; coughing which produces green or gray sputum or lasts more than 10 days; fever lasting several days or over 101F; or if the child has shaking chills, chest pain or shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, poor intake of fluids, pain in the ear, unusual lethargy, enlarged, tender glands in the neck, or blue lips, skin or fingernails.