March 2012 Newsletter

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It is that time of the year again to schedule your child’s well exam for Pre K and Kindergarten.

Click here to schedule an appointment today!

► Don’t forget to request forms required for registration such as a 3231 (Immunization Form) and a 3300 (Ear, Eye and Dental Form).

If you are unsure if your child is due for a check-up, please ask one of our Patient Care Representatives to verify the date of his/her last yearly wellness exam.

HPV Vaccine Now Recommended For Males

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Over half of sexually active males and females are infected with HPV at some point in their lives. HPV causes a large number of cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, cervix and genital organs. It is also associated with genital and anal warts.

There is no cure for HPV. However, we do have a vaccine to prevent HPV infection. This vaccine, given as a three-dose series, was approved by the FDA for females in 2006 and then in males in 2009. We routinely recommend the HPV vaccine for our patients who are eleven years of age or older. The HPV vaccine is recommended by both the CDC and AAP.

What’s Going Around…….

A stomach virus is an intestinal infection that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Highly contagious, a stomach virus is the second most common illness in the United States.

How is it transmitted?

Stomach virus transmission can happen in one of several ways, including:

Eating foods or drinking liquids that are contaminated with a stomach virus.
Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms.
Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with a stomach virus and putting hands in the mouth.

Symptoms of stomach virus in children

Symptoms of a stomach virus in children can last anywhere from 1 to 14 days. Stomach virus symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting.

Treatment of the stomach virus:

There is no medicine that will kill a stomach virus. Therefore, treatment in children is focused on providing supportive care while the body fights the infection. Supportive care refers to treating symptoms such as dehydration, that occur as a result of the stomach viral infection.

Children present special concerns. Because of their smaller body size, children are at greater risk of dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte® can replace lost fluids, minerals, and salts.

Parents of children with signs of dehydration (decreased urination, dry mouth and lack of tears) should start them on oral rehydration and call our office.