The importance of immunizations

Childhood immunizations are one of the most important safeguards against communicable diseases and their serious, long-term complications. Your pediatrician closely adheres to the vaccination schedules published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Why? Well, there's nothing more important than your youngster's health and well-being, and immunizations effectively guard them.

Just what is an immunization?

Most immunizations are given as "shots," or injections, but some, such as the Rotavirus vaccine, are oral medications. However administered, vaccines boost your child's immune system in its battle against diseases which easily spread from person to person.

Each vaccine contains a small amount of a killed or weakened micro-organisms. These altered viruses or bacteria raise the body's defenses against a particular illness such as chicken pox. pneumonia, polio, tetanus, and more...up to 14 in all by time your child is two years old, says the CDC.

Are immunizations necessary?

Your pediatrician, his or her colleagues and decades of research prove that vaccines protect the health of individual children and of the community at large. Also called herd immunity, community immunity works best when as many babies and youngsters receive all their "shots" on schedule. Community immunity protects youngsters who cannot receive vaccines because of cancer treatment, HIV infection or other serious reason. It also shields the general population when people travel from countries which cannot provide access to these important medications.

Both the AAP and the CDC publish and recommend set vaccine schedules carried out at well-baby and well-child visits at the doctor's office. In addition, there is a "catch-up" schedule for children who have begun their immunizations late or had them interrupted by illness or other serious concern.

Your pediatrician's services

They're so important. Your child's doctor keeps your child's immunization records and can distribute them to schools, camps, college, sports, daycare and other organizations who require proof of up-to-date vaccines. The doctor also monitors your child for any adverse reactions, although typically, vaccines produce no more than:

• Localized redness and soreness at the injection site
• Low grade fever
• Pain and swelling
• Fussiness

Cold Vs. Flu

Is it a cold or the flu? When it comes to your child's health, your pediatrician provides great information and guidance on the most common illnesses plaguing families. If you are wondering about the exact nature of your child's illness and how to treat it, learn the differences between a cold and the flu and how to treat and prevent them.

What is a cold?

A cold is an upper respiratory viral infection lasting 5 to 7 days in both adults and children alike. Generally milder in intensity and shorter in duration than influenza, a cold causes:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• A runny nose
• Tiredness
• Low-grade fever

Find out the best ways to manage your child’s asthma symptoms.

There is nothing scarier than watching your child struggling to get their breath. While this can be enough to induce panic and anxiety in any parent, it’s important to remain calm and understand how to manage your child’s symptoms to reduce their chance of an attack. Turn to your Louisville, KY pediatrician to find out the very best ways to handle your child’s asthma.

Common ways to reduce your child’s chances of an asthma attack include:

Knowing What Triggers Their Asthma

Some children cannot be around other people’s pets while sometimes being outdoors when the pollen count is high is enough to trigger an episode. While it isn’t always easy to detect these triggers right away it’s not a bad idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician about getting an allergy testing. Through a simple skin prick or blood testing we can determine what could be responsible for your child’s wheezing so your little one can avoid it whenever possible.

Making Sure Your Child Uses Their Medication

Your child’s doctor will provide an inhaler or nebulizer, which should be taken every day to help reduce their body’s response to certain asthma triggers. This medication can make a world of difference for an asthma sufferer so it’s important to always use it as directed, even if your child seems fine.

Visiting the Louisville, KY Pediatrician Regularly

Your child should visit the doctor at least every six months, or more regularly if their asthma is severe or often flares up. When your child comes in for care we can better monitor their symptoms to determine whether the medication they are using is actually working or if they require different medications or doses. Our goal is to make sure that your child leads a healthy, normal life that isn’t affecting by asthma.

By following these simple measures you can help your child better control their asthma symptoms. Most asthma medications can work for both children and adults. If your child is younger, the dose they receive will be determined based on their age and weight.

Whether you have questions about your child’s treatment options or their condition, turning to a pediatrician you can trust is paramount. Don’t just trust your child’s health to anyone. A pediatrician is here for your child whenever they need care most. Whether your child needs to use an inhaler or a home nebulizer, we will show you how to properly use all asthma medication to make sure your child is getting the most effective treatment.

Welcome to the Blog of Pediatric & Neonatal Specialists

Whether your child is an existing patient or you’re searching for a pediatrician in the Louisville, KY area, we’re excited you are here. With the pediatric industry advancing, we recognize the importance of keeping parents and visitors up to date with all of the new and exciting things taking place in our practice.

As we move forward with our blog, we hope to promote a lifestyle of good health for your child.  Here you will find a variety of articles and topics including pediatric health care news, advancements in pediatric treatment, practical child health care advice and updates from our practice.

We hope you find our blog to be helpful, engaging and informational to ensure your child’s best health. 

As always, feel free to contact Pediatric & Neonatal Specialists with any health questions or concerns.

-- The Pediatric Team at Pediatric & Neonatal Specialists