August is National Immunization Month

Immunizations help prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. Immunizations are not just for kids. Adults need to stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, pneumonia, and shingles.
                Getting vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child’s health. Diseases can spread quickly among groups of children who aren’t vaccinated whether it’s a baby starting at a new child care facility, a toddler heading to preschool, a student going back to elementary, middle or high school or even college freshman-parents need to check their child’s vaccination records.
                Childcare facilities, preschool programs, schools and colleges are prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Children in these settings can easily spread illnesses to one another due to poor hand washing, not covering their coughs, and other factors such as interacting in crowded environments.
                When children are not vaccinated, they are at risk for disease and can spread disease to others in their play groups, childcare centers, classrooms and communities, including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer and other health conditions.
                Additionally, states may require children who are entering childcare or school to be vaccinated against certain diseases, Colleges and Universities may have their own requirements especially for students living in residence halls.
                Vaccines are very safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored after they are licensed to ensure that they are very safe. Vaccines are the safest and most effective way to prevent several diseases. They not only protect vaccinated individuals but also help protect entire communities y preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Currently the United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. The country’s long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible.
                So August is a perfect time to review this information and make sure the kids are up to date on all immunizations. If your child is in needs please contact the office as soon as possible to get an appointment. Children ages 11 yrs. old will need and updated Adacel (tetanus), Entering 7th & 12^th grades will need Menactra (meningitis) immunization. Children entering grades pre K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 will also need a physical for school. This was changed effective for the 2018/2019 school year so please take note and call the office as soon as possible to get the physicals scheduled today (315)673-9926.
 

COVID 19 NEWS

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.  Risk of infection is dependent on exposure. Close contacts of people who are infected are at greater risk of exposure, for example health care workers, essential workers and close contacts of people who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC is continuing to closely monitor the situation on a daily basis and give daily updates. 
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild-severe respiratory illness with symptoms of

• Fever
• Cough-non productive
• Loss of taste or smell
• SOB

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Facemasks help prevent the spread of the COVID 19 disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility)

• There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or, for anyone that has a cough or fever and have recently traveled or have been in contact with anyone that have traveled will need to call our office for further instructions during this virus outbreak. Testing for this specific virus cannot be done in our office.