Keeping You Informed
Recent Updates and Recommendations
New Allergy Study!
Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is now conducting a Wheat Allergy clinical trial. If your child is between the ages of 4-24 years of age and has been diagnosed with a wheat allergy, he or she may qualify to participate. The goal is to see if “oral immunotherapy” or OIT can alter the immune system’s response to food allergens.
For further information call the Division of Allergy & Immunology at 888.573.1833 or
Influenza Update
We are still administering flu vaccinations. Vaccines are available to both our pediatric patients and their parents. Newest CDC guidelines recommend that all persons over the age of 6 months receive an annual flu vaccine. Please contact our office to schedule your flu shots.
As of this week, there has been a significant increase in cases of influenza in the community. In addition, the CDC has released a statement outlining the resurgence of the H1N1 strain of influenza that caused a pandemic in 2009. These patients have the potential to become very ill and the illness has resulted in hospitalization and even death. We strongly encourage all patients to receive the influenza vaccination as soon as possible.
We continue to provide lipid and glucose screenings for our patients. A 12 hour fast is required. This is done via a capillary blood sample (finger poke) which is less invasive than a traditional blood draw. Results are available within 5-10 minutes.
Recommendations
As we all know, health care is constantly changing. With this comes frequent changes in recommendations including screenings and immunizations.
Flu Vaccines
The flu vaccine may be given to those over the age of 6 months of age.
Any child under the age of 9 years who has never had a flu vaccine in the past must receive 2 separate vaccinations separated by 4 weeks.
In addition, due to addition of the H1N1(swine flu) strain to the annual flu shot, the American Academy of Pediatrics has initiated new vaccinations guidelines for this flu shot season. Any child under the age of 9 years who has not received 2 flu vaccines in the 2010-2011 and/or 2011-2012 flu seasons must receive 2 vaccinations this season. Again, separated by 4 weeks.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Boosters:
The Tdap or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster is recommended for all those 11-64 years of age. Most if not all Illinois schools will require that this booster is current and up to date. Vaccination is especially important for any caregivers of infants. Infants are not yet fully immunized against pertussis thus putting them at risk if exposed to the disease. We provide pertussis boosters to our patients and any family members that need their booster.
Resources
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen dosing guidelines
Tylenol and Advil / Motrin dosage schedule is included for you convenience including the latest updates on Tylenol dosage changes. Please, always check the medication strength and expiration prior to use. We recommend always to check with our office if you are giving your child any medications.
Are you planning on traveling out of the country?? Check here first!
If you are planning on traveling to another country, it is advisable to check if any additional precautions are needed. These could include special vaccinations that one should recieve before going. Many of these would be available at a travel clinic or health department. It is also good to know if there are specific health concerns one may face while in a specific part of the world (i.e disease outbreaks ect). The following is a link to the CDC’s travel site for full information based on country one is planning to visit
