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Flu Update
As we approach the 2009-2010 Flu Season, Lancaster Pediatric
Associates will update this web message with the latest information
and advice.
Update 1-20-10 ****
Lancaster Pediatrics currently has H1N1 and seasonal flu
vaccine available for all patients. Please call our
office at the Health Campus at 717-291-5931 and choose
option "1" for scheduling or to schedule at our Willow Lakes
office call 717-464-9555.
At present we have received most of our Flu Vaccine and parents may
call to schedule their children’s Immunizations. This vaccine
contains strains against Flu A and against Flu B. It does not
contain any strains against Swine Flu. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends this vaccine for all children under 18 years,
especially those at risk because of underlying conditions.
LPA has received the
H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine from the PA
Department of Health. We will begin to give the vaccine to High
Risk Children immediately (Including Asthma, Diabetes, Cystic
Fibrosis, Heart Disease, and Immunocompromised) ASAP, and then all
children beginning 10/28.
Two doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be needed with a 3-4 week
separation between doses for children less than 10 years of age. The
second dose will be scheduled later based on when PA Dept of Health
supplies this dose. We have 2 types of H1N1 vaccine. H1N1 mist
which is a nasal spray that is a live virus vaccine, it can be given
to anyone over the age of 2 who does not have any underlying medical
problems. The H1N1 mist and the Regular Flu mist must be given 4
weeks apart. The second type is the injectable H1N1 vaccine which
is approved for ages 6months and up. The H1N1 vaccine can be
administered at the same time as the standard seasonal Flu shot. We
only received the multi dose vials which do have safe amounts of
preservatives. There will be no preservative free injectable vaccine
for H1N1.
Below is a link to the C.D.C.
website on Flu issues. www.cdc.gov
Poison Ivy
Known as
Rhus Dermatitis in the doctors’ world, the rash is a contact
dermatitis which pops up where the skin touched the sap of any of
the “Poison” plants. It typically forms some streaks where the sap
was drawn across the skin, either directly or indirectly (by picking
up some sap on the hands then rubbing the “tired” eyes, etc. The
rash itself is not contagious (not even the draining blisters) but
it typically has some remnant sap on it, so scratching will move the
sap to a new place and cause it to spread.
To care
for the rash, it is important to make sure the sap is removed. This
can be accomplished after exposure with commercial poison ivy
products like Zanfel, but good old reliable Fels Naptha Soap (yep,
the same thing your grandmother used to wash her clothes and still
located in the “Laundry Aisle”) does well.
In
addition to removing the sap, steroids like hydrocortisone can be
applied to the rash or, in worse cases, steroids by mouth can be
prescribed by your doctor. These will tell the skin to “relax” and
ease the discomfort. In addition, an antihistamine, like Benadryl,
can be taken by mouth to ease the itch flare-ups. They tend to be
especially big when the skin gets warm, as in falling asleep or
taking a bath.
Sunshine Fun time:
Babies
Younger than 6 months:
Avoiding
sun exposure is the way to do it. Babies can overheat under the sun
more easily. Shade is much cooler than protective clothing. Apply a
minimum amount of sunscreen on exposed areas for brief sunshine.
Children older than 6 months:
Apply
sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside even on cloudy
days. The SPF should be at least 15.Stay in shade whenever possible
and. avoids sun exposure between 10a.m and 4 p.m. Be sure to apply
at least 1oz. of sunscreen per sitting and reapply sunscreen every
2 hours or after swimming.
Wear a hat
with a three inch brim, sunglasses that block 99% of ultraviolet
rays, and wear cotton clothing.

Pool
Safety
Children
should never be left alone without supervision. A four feet fence
should be installed all around the pool. Make sure the latch on the
gate is at a height that the children cannot reach .Rescue equipment
and a portable telephone should be accessible.
Developmentally children are not ready for swimming until after the
fourth birthday.
‘Floaties’or inflatable swimming devices are not substitutes for
approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
Infants and toddlers should have adults in the pool with them at
arm’s length providing “touch supervision”.
Simple
messages
-
Don’t
swim when you have diarrhea
-
Don’t
swallow pool water
-
Shower
with soap and water before swimming
-
Wash
hands with soap and water after using the rest room or changing
diaper.
-
Take
your children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
-
Change
diapers in the rest room and not by the pool side.
For
further practical messages
www.healthyswimming.org

Bugs
and insect repellants
Avoid
scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child. Avoid stagnant
pools, uncovered food, and gardens in full bloom where insects tend
to congregate.
Stingers
from skin can be removed using a blunt object like a credit card by
scraping off the stinger.
Insect
repellants should contain DEET, which is the active ingredient of
the repellant. The amount of DEET used in children should be less
than 30%. Avoid using combination products with repellant and
sunscreen together. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to outdoor
activity and insect repellant just prior to outdoor activity. Insect
repellants should not be applied more than once a day and do not use
on infants younger than 2 months.
Avoid
applying insect repellants near mouth, mucous membranes or fingers.
For
maximum protection when camping out apply permethrin to clothing,
tents and sleeping bags.
Please check out
www.foodallergy.org
the web site has some good suggestions to minimize food allergies at
summer camp.
Another
useful website:
www.healthychildren.org
Have a fun filled safe
summer!!!
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