By Sandi Treybig, M.D.

We still have flumist and some shot available!!

And don’t forget the booster for all who are receiving their first dose of the flu vaccine.

On the flip side, if you see flu symptoms in your child-high fever, chills, body aches and cough come in early for a flu test. Treatment is only beneficial in the first 24-48 hours!! Don’t forget our night clinic is open until 9 pm on weekdays!!!

By Matt Thompson

The filing deadline for personal tax returns is April 15^th each year, and there are a couple of things to remember about your healthcare expenditures.  First, it is important to maintain an accurate accounting of your healthcare expenses throughout the year.   You can obtain a receipt for your healthcare expenses at Capital Pediatric Group by contacting us at (512) 454-4545 then select  8 for the billing office.  Also, there are certain healthcare plans that will enable you to maximize your tax savings.  You can access more information about this plans at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf.  Happy Tax Season!

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a common viral illness.  It is caused by a virus that belongs to the Enter virus group.  It is a virus that usually affects infants and children younger than 3 years old.  It can sometimes occur in adults.

Symptoms and signs include fever, blister like sores in the mouth and a skin rash.  The virus usually starts with fever, poor appetite, sore throat and not feeling well.  Fever starts then painful sores develop in the mouth.  The rash is on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  It can be on the elbows, buttocks and genital areas.

Treatment: There is no treatment for the virus, however over the counter medications to relieve pain and fever will help.  Using mouth washes or sprays that numb the mouth pain, eating cool things such as yogurt or smoothies.  Remember to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.  Contact your physician if you have concerns.

For more information go to Centers for Disease website.  http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html

By Joyce Jordan, LVN

1. Wash hands frequently.
2. Cover your mouth when coughing- use Kleenex when coughing/sneezing.
3. If you are ill, stay at home; do not spread your germs.
4. Avoid touching mouth, eyes & nose.
5. Eat healthy well-balanced meals.  Get exercise.
6. Get enough sleep, avoid being run down.
7. Reduce stress
8. Keep yourself well hydrated.
9. Remember to change your air filters, usually every 2-3- months.
10. Other healthful hints found on WEBMD.

By Helen Ma, D.O.

It’s time to brush up on our Fire Safety Tips. In 2011 studies have shown that fire departments have responded to 384,000 home fires and these fires have claimed lives of 2,640 people and injured 13,350. Most of the victims of the fire die from the smoke or toxic fume inhalation. The greatest risk of fire related injuries are the children less than 4 years of age and the elderly. The greatest impact to improve the outcomes is being prepared. Here are a few important precautions you can take to have a Fire Safe New Year:

Install smoke alarms outside bedrooms or sleeping areas

• Test the smoke alarms monthly and remember to replace the batteries at least once a year

Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

Do not smoke in bed

Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing near the stove, fireplaces and space heaters

Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable items

Have an Escape Plan

• In the event of a fire, every second counts. Outline a floor plan with at least 2 exit routes
• Practice the plan and practice often
• Teach the children not to hide from the fireman as they can be frightened during the fire crisis
• Teach the children to check if a closed door is too hot with the back of their hand: if it is too hot use an alternate escape route
• Teach the children to crawl low under the smoke to reduce the smoke inhalation

Have a designated outside meeting area

For more helpful fire safety hints visit www.healthychildren.org and www.cdc.gov

By Allan Frank, M.D.

Our patients have been experiencing an illness with diarrhea and fever. We have seen numerous patients with this. Most of the cases are treatable with diet and maintaining hydration (saliva in mouth and adequate urination) and are better in 2-4 days. There have been a few cases of Shigella; a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in addition. Typically you will see bloody diarrhea and high fever with this type of infection. Fortunately this is not common and is usually sensitive to Amoxicillin and treatable. You should always seek medical advice if your child is not responding to home treatment even if there is no blood or fever to check for dehydration or other possible causes for the diarrhea.

Only about 12% of the United States high school students meet the goals for aerobic and muscle strengthening activities set by the Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) initiative.

HP2020 includes three objectives for meeting federal physical activity guidelines:  at least sixty minutes of aerobic activity daily; muscle strengthening activities at least three days of the week; and aerobic and muscle strengthening activities combined.  To determine what percentage of U.S. students met these objectives, researchers analyzed data from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study. 

Of the 9,701 high schools included in the study sample, 15.3% met the HP2020 objective for aerobic activity.  More students – 20% overall – met the muscle strengthening activity and only 12.2% of the students met the objective for both.  In all categories more boys than girls, more younger students than older, and more underweight, normal weight and overweight teens than obese teens met these objectives. 

So the take home message is that these findings justify the need to improve and increase efforts to promote physical activity among younger people, particularly among girls, students in upper grades and obese students.

Watch Dr. Brown talk about potty training here

http://vimeo.com/32585533

By Sarah Kiger, LVN

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations

By Matt Thompson

The After Hours Clinic is back to five nights a week.  Linda Stephens, Nurse Practitioner, will begin working several evening shifts as well as Saturday afternoon.  Therefore, the After Hours Clinic will now be open at the Central Office on Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  We hope these hours make our office more accessible to you.