laura12876

Is it a Cold or Covid? Making Hard Decisions in a Pandemic

laura12876 · January 16, 2023 ·

Everything was going so well. Then you heard the sniffle.

Is it a cold, or Covid?

What used to be barely a speed bump of parenting is now a minefield. Covid-19 has changed the rules. It used to be no big deal to head to school or play with other kids with mild cold symptoms, but now we have to be extra careful to avoid spreading Covid. With many Covid symptoms mirroring those of the common cold or traditional flu, their first appearance now triggers a spiral of difficult decisions.

Should I cancel that playdate?
Do we need to stay home from school?
Can we see Grandma this week?

Families are burned out. Parents are worried about illness, and about things that even a mild Covid case can bring: quarantines, school closures, and transmitting the disease to vulnerable others. Kids are anxious about getting tested or getting sick, and depressed from the disruption to their social worlds. Recently, my 6-year-old had cold symptoms and was afraid to admit it to us because he was scared of being Covid tested.

Take a deep breath. We’re here to help you get back to the basics, make day-to-day decisions, and navigate cold and flu symptoms in a world of Covid.

Remember the basics

First, the bad news: Though the vast majority of times that your child has cold symptoms will turn out to be just a common cold, Covid-19 cannot be ruled out without a test.

As both a doctor and a mother, I struggle with this truth. I hate putting my kids through Covid testing, and swabbing my own kids has been the toughest tests I’ve ever had to do—they may be little but they are strong! But I also don’t want anyone we’re in contact with to get sick.

To keep our communities safe, here are the points I come back to:

Stay home at any sign of illness. I am especially wary of fever and coughing because, for any viral illness, these symptoms can be when you are most likely contagious.
Get tested as soon as symptoms appear. This is one way we can continue to live as “normally” as possible, and it allows my kids to continue seeing their friends and be around their grandmothers.
Continue to take the simple steps that we have been doing to prevent spread—washing hands, wearing a mask, and keeping social distance from those who don’t live in your home.
Get vaccinated if your children are eligible. Vaccination reduces your child’s risk of serious illness and reduces spread, helping keep our whole community safe. Additionally, some schools and childcare centers have less restrictive quarantine rules for vaccinated children, so your kids may avoid missing as much school as their unvaccinated peers.

When can we see people again?

With a negative test result, it’s generally safe to see people again once fever has been gone for at least 24 hours and all symptoms are improving.

However, schools and childcare settings have their own set of rules regarding testing and symptom history required for reentry. Most require a PCR test. Reach out to your school nurse or center director for up-to-date protocols and help finding a local testing option.

The rapid test was negative, are we in the clear?

At-home rapid tests (antigen tests) from a drugstore are an option. They will give you quicker results and it is often less stressful for kids to be tested at home by familiar people.

Antigen rapid tests are slightly less sensitive than PCR tests (from a doctor’s office or official testing station, generally requiring 24-48 hours to get results). What does that mean in practice?

False positives are uncommon. If a rapid test is positive for Covid, you may still need to follow up with a PCR test but absolutely assume it is true in the meantime. Check our website’s Covid page for the most up-to-date guidance.
If you have symptoms and a rapid test is negative, continue to follow the advice above about restricting contact with others while symptomatic. If you have a high suspicion of Covid, follow up with a PCR test or discuss testing options with your doctor.
If you have no symptoms and no known exposures, and get a negative result while using a rapid test as another layer of defense before gathering, it is generally safe to proceed with the gathering.

We’re all in this together

None of this is easy—I, for one, long to go back to “the way things used to be.” My kids have already missed so much school. It seems like once a week someone in the family is sick and so we start the process all over again. But we’re all in this together—and our choices can protect the most vulnerable around us.

You’re part of the Peak Family, and we want to make this easier, along with every other aspect of raising healthy kids. Please reach out if you need any help navigating cold and flu symptoms in a pandemic and the challenging decisions they bring.

Advice in this blog post was current at the time of publication; because information about Covid-19 changes rapidly, we encourage you to stay up to date with information from our Covid page, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and your state and local governments.

Are you looking for a new practice and pediatric medical home? Check out our New Patients page.

Sun Protection

laura12876 · January 16, 2023 ·

The risk of sun damage is cumulative throughout a lifetime—we recommend protecting your child from excessive sun exposure in infancy and making it a habit they will be able to carry with them as they grow.

Babies less than 6 months old

Ideally, avoid sunscreen before 6 months old.
Keep sun exposure low by staying out of direct sunlight, especially between 10am and 2pm. Find shade under a tree or umbrella.
Dress your baby in lightweight clothing, covering as much skin as possible. Use a sunhat with a wide brim and sunglasses with UV protection.
Watch for overheating and encourage extra fluids if it is warm.
Sunscreen may be applied to small areas of skin that are not covered by clothing. Use a mineral based sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
If your baby is excessively fussy or has any areas of red skin, take her inside.

Babies older than 6 months and toddlers

Keep sun exposure low by staying out of direct sunlight, especially between 10am and 2pm. Find shade under a tree or umbrella.
Dress your baby in lightweight clothing, covering as much skin as possible. Use a sunhat with a wide brim and sunglasses with UV protection.
Watch for overheating and encourage extra fluids if it is warm.
Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater to all exposed skin 15-30 minutes prior to going outside and reapply every 2 hours. Use a mineral-based sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
If your child is excessively fussy or has any areas of red skin, take her inside.

School-aged children, adolescents and adults

Keep sun exposure low by staying out of direct sunlight, especially between 10am and 2pm. Remember: if your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade!
Dress in lightweight clothing, covering as much skin as possible. Use a sunhat with a wide brim and sunglasses with UV protection.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Apply a generous amount of a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater to all exposed skin 15-30 minutes prior to going outside. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming and sweating.
If possible, avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, parabens and phthalates as there are some concerns about these chemicals affecting hormone levels. An alternative to oxybenzone is to use a mineral-based sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. However, when there are no other options, using any sunscreen is better than getting burned.

Fever

laura12876 · January 16, 2023 ·

Fevers can be scary to parents, and can make children very uncomfortable—but they generally are a normal response to an infection. Fevers actually help fight infection!

When your child has a fever, you don’t automatically need to do anything (see below for when a fever requires immediate attention) and not all fevers are cause for worry. Fevers resulting from an infection do not cause brain damage. In fact, a fever itself is not dangerous until it reaches around 108 degrees—and this only occurs when exposed to extreme environmental heat, like a parked car. A fever responding to infection will not get this high.

The height of the fever does not tell you what is causing the fever. Viral infections can cause fevers just as high as bacterial infections.

Giving medicine to reduce a fever

Fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol and ibuprofen are best used to make your child more comfortable, not to restore a normal temperature. It is not necessary to wake a child to administer Tylenol and if your child is comfortable and appears well, they do not need medicine just to bring a fever down. It is ok to give the fever a chance to fight the infection. However, if your child is fussy, uncomfortable, or looks sick, it is ok to give Tylenol even with a low-grade fever.

We recommend bookmarking our easy dosing guide for future reference!

Common fever symptoms

The following symptoms commonly occur with a fever. You don’t necessarily need to call the doctor if your child has these symptoms unless you have other concerns.

Faster heart rate and breathing that occurs when the child has a fever but improves as the fever comes down
Cold hands and feet
Head and body aches
Tired and fussy demeanor
Poor appetite

Fever in babies

A baby less than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4℉ or higher should be seen immediately. In newborns, a low temperature, less than 97.6℉ (rectal) can also be a sign of a serious infection. Call our office or take the baby to the emergency room.

When to call a doctor

Call us right away if your child has a fever and:

Looks very sick, is excessively fussy, or is difficult to arouse
Has severe symptoms like a severe headache, abdominal pain, throat or ear pain, a stiff neck, an unexplained rash, uncontrolled vomiting, and diarrhea
Has had a seizure
Has difficulty breathing
Has signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, or has not peed in 6-8 hours)
Recently had immunizations and fever is higher than 102℉
Still acts really sick once the fever is brought down
Has been in a very hot place, like a hot car
Has an immune problem

Call us during office hours for an appointment if:

The fever lasts for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years old
The fever lasts for more than 3 days in a child older than 2 years old
You suspect your child has a bacterial infection like an ear infection, strep, pneumonia, a UTI, or has redness or swelling in one area
Your child seems to be getting worse
You are worried or have any other concerns. Remember, you know your child best. Follow your instincts and call if you feel something is wrong.

How We Make Parenting Easy: The Peak Pediatric Care Difference

laura12876 · January 16, 2023 ·

Whether it’s eating and sleeping when they’re babies, driving and social media when they’re teens, or any age in between, parenting is a challenge with highs and lows. Some days it’s your favorite job and some days you fear that if you have to make one. more. decision. your head might explode.

We can’t rock your baby at 3 a.m. or take that call from the assistant principal. But we can make parenting easier by removing common barriers to health and wellness.

With an eye to comfort, wellness, easy communication, and streamlined logistics, we designed the Peak Pediatric Care office with a goal to help you seamlessly and easily get the care you need.

Seven ingredients that make parenting easy

No phone tag
Connecting with your doctor shouldn’t take an all-day game of phone tag. We’ve adopted the simple and straightforward Spruce app as a communication tool that lets you send secure, HIPAA-compliant text messages to get urgent medical advice or request a same-day appointment. For non-urgent needs, you can use our patient portal to ask questions, get appointments, request forms and refills, and get lab results when you have time to reach out—even if that’s 11 o’clock at night!
Get answers to common questions online
We all know that moment when our kids get sick with new symptoms, and we’re not sure what to do. Our website features helpful resources—including an online symptom checker, fever guide, and dosing guide for common over-the-counter medication—that can help you decide whether to contact us or watchfully wait.
A calm and welcoming space
We know that it’s easier to talk to your doctor when you—and your child—feel comfortable. No cold and drab exam rooms here. We’ve designed a modern, open, relaxing office space designed to calm and welcome kids and parents from the minute you walk in the door. Some of our exam rooms even take a new approach, replacing the exam table with additional comfortable seating for a less “clinical” feel. Keep an eye out for our office dog/mascot, Boma, who loves to say hi and keep kiddos calm when they’re feeling a little nervous.
Seamless bill payment
No more hunting to find your checkbook (and a stamp!), or having to keep track of bills that arrive weeks after your appointment and make multiple phone calls to reach someone to pay it. When you keep a credit card on file securely with our payment processing vendor, you can get in and out quickly, knowing your bill will be automatically paid.
Complete forms at your convenience
Arriving early to fill out a bunch of boxes and forms while your kids crawl all over the waiting room? We’ve been there (and we hope never to go back). At Peak Pediatric Care you can fill out all of your forms digitally on your phone or computer, at a time that works for you, before coming in.
Feel safe in the waiting room
No parent wants to bring their healthy kid in for a visit, only to have them bring germs home. (And we know that no parent of a sick kid wants to spread what they’ve got.) Our office has a separate door for sick visits, and we work with ill patients to bring them into an exam room directly from their car, to bypass the general waiting room, and keep germ-sharing to a minimum.
Medical care that sees the big picture
Too often, medical professionals look at a narrow concern within their specialty. Dr. Hansen is trained in integrative medicine, allowing her to offer a different approach to your child’s healthcare that looks at the big picture. This leads to a focus on overall wellness and a treatment plan that incorporates medically comprehensive solutions that also consider stress, mental health, lifestyle, and nutrition. In practice, this approach lends itself to treatments that work for your family, are more enduring, and increase overall wellness.

At Peak Pediatric Care, we’re parents too. We know that barriers to wellness and medical treatment are the last things you need.

The team at our family-run practice has worked together for years and watched so many of our families grow. We set out to make parenting easier, and on top of how we’ve designed our office, we know that everything feels easier when you feel known.

To our Peak families, thanks for being a part of this journey and letting us partner with you!

Are you looking for a new practice and pediatric medical home? Check out our New Patients page.

Questions to Ask a Pediatrician to Find the Right Fit

laura12876 · January 16, 2023 ·

Every parent wants the best for their kids. But when you’re searching for a pediatrician, there’s no global ranking system to start with. You’re looking for the best fit for your kid—a combination of skill, bedside manner, and medical philosophy that you believe will help your child thrive and support your parenting goals for health and wellbeing.

No pressure, right?

Whether you are pregnant—perhaps doing everything about this “parent” thing for the first time—moving, or had a less-than-stellar experience with another practice, we know a lot of thought and care goes into choosing your child’s doctor. We hope that making an informed decision will lead you to a great partner in your family’s health for years to come. We’ve compiled a list of important questions to ask a pediatrician that we hope will make your choice clear.

As a pediatrician, I never tire of taking the time to talk about my practice and my philosophy. As a parent, I’ve asked these questions myself.

We recommend taking notes for each doctor that you consider. For many questions, there are no right or wrong answers, but what they say will allow you to consider if that pediatrician is a good fit, and if their practice offers what your family needs.

Questions to ask a pediatrician that you’re considering for your family

We recommend calling a prospective pediatrician’s office to verify they take your insurance before taking time to gather answers to any additional questions.

Questions that all parents should ask:

How long have you been practicing?
What are the office hours?
How will we get care in the evening or on weekends, if needed?
Which hospital are you affiliated with?
Do you offer same-day sick appointments?
How can I contact the office with questions? Can I email, text or use a secure app for easy communication?
Do you have separate waiting rooms/exam rooms for sick and well patients?
Will we be scheduled with other providers in the office? If so, where can I learn more about them?
Does the office offer classes? What kinds?
Why did you become a pediatrician?
Do you have children?

Many expecting parents schedule a prenatal visit at around 6–8 months. Here are some additional questions that expecting parents should ask during that visit:

Will you be at the hospital after we deliver?
When will my first appointment in the office be? How do I schedule it?
Where do you stand on _____?
- Vaccines
- Breastfeeding
- Circumcision
- Bed-sharing or co-sleeping
What should we expect on our first visit? What do we need to bring?

Finding a great fit

Once you’ve had your questions answered by a prospective pediatrician, take time to ask yourself:

Was I comfortable with the interactions I had with the doctor and staff?
Were my questions answered, and was I heard?
What were my impressions of the office?
Was staff easy to reach and communicate with?
Will parking or traffic be a challenge?
What sense did I get of their practice from their social media presence?
What kind of reviews have they received?

Gather information, then trust your instincts. You know best what your family needs! We wish you the best in your journey to raise healthy, confident kids.

Are you looking for a pediatrician in the North Attleboro, MA community? Registering with Peak Pediatric Care is easy and can be done online. Visit our Become a Patient page to begin the registration process. Please call the office if you have any questions: (508) 576-5010

Retina Specialist, Ophthalmologist, and Vitreoretinal Surgeon serving Queens, Long Island, and NYC

At ClearView Retina, we offer expert retina treatment to preserve your vision with compassionate care and clear communication. Dr. Rodney Coe, MD treats conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachments, macular conditions, and more.

Retina Specialist, Ophthalmologist, and Vitreoretinal Surgeon serving Queens, Long Island, and NYC

At ClearView Retina, we offer expert retina treatment to preserve your vision with compassionate care and clear communication. Dr. Rodney Coe, MD treats conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachments, macular conditions, and more.