Lice

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A New Treatment for Lice

Dimeticone, a type of liquid silicone, appears to kill lice well.

If you apply the material twice, cure rates exceed 90%.

The dimeticone is most easily applied in a product called

Lice MD, which is over-the-

counter.

Simply follow the directions on the box. The application

recommended is 10 minutes sitting on wet hair, two times,

seven days apart. Be sure to comb as instructed.

Since this is a silicone preparation, there is no toxicity as

with pesticide preparations, and resistance is unlikely to

develop.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

The Car Seat Safety Law in Ohio

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The Car Seat Safety Law in Ohio

Recently the Ohio legislature passed a law requiring children under a

certain age and/or height to be in a car seat.

Prior to this law being passed, it was the law that a child be in a car

seat from birth through either age 4 years or 40 pounds.

Now, starting in October, 2009, a citation will be issued to any parent

whose child is not in a child seat through either age 8 years or 4'9".

Starting in April, 2010, a citation will be issued for second offenses of this law.

The current recommendations from Advanced Pediatrics are as follows:

• All people riding in a car should have their pelvis and shoulder secured
• For anyone less than 4'9" tall, that requires some device to achieve that security
• From birth to age one year and 20 pounds, one should be in an infant car seat, facing backwards
• From that point until 40 pounds, one should be in an infant car seat, facing forwards
• From 40 pounds until 4'9" one should be in a booster seat.

Note these key items:

You should not face forward until you are both 1 year old and 20 pounds in weight.

The shift from infant seat to booster seat occurs at 40 pounds, the age does not matter.

The end of needing any device takes place at 4'9" . For this change neither age nor weight matter.

These guidelines have nothing to do with a child being mature, or grown up,

they only reflect the physics of how bodies can be safely secured during

and accident. If you follow these guidelines, your child(ren) is far less likely

to be hurt if an accident occurs.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Newborn Nails- no need to cut

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Newborn Nails Solution

This ideas comes from a parent in the practice, Ms. Yelena Boxer.

Cutting newborn's nails has always been a challenge.

They are soft, so sharp at the edge, so tiny, so near the finger tip.

Ms. Boxer created the concept of using a nail buffer to keep the nails

short. Once short, simply use the buffer to keep the nail short.

The other advantage is that the edge is blunted, reducing

the scratches that would happen otherwise at any nail length.

Thanks to Ms. Boxer, and hope this helps others.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Influenza Immunization for 2009

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Influenza Immunizations ("Flu Shots" and Flu Mist)

for 2009

This post contains important information about when flu shots

and flu mist will be given in 2009 in Advanced Pediatrics.

The schedule appears at the end of this posting. Feel free to

skip to the schedule to make your plans. Or to read all about

influenza, swine flu, and immunizations.

A more intense year for influenza virus

As we all know, this flu season is heavy with concern about just what

the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus will be like.

As a result there will clearly be more interest in being protected against

all influenza viruses this year, and very likely a greater chance of your

child being kept out of child care and/or school with a fever.

The difference between regular and H1N1 (swine flu) influenza

Before we present how to get influenza immunizations at Advanced

Pediatrics this year, let's quickly review the differences between regular

and H1N1 (swine flu) influenza.

Regular influenza is an infection from a virus that:

• mainly hits areas of the body that contact air (eyes/nose/ears/throat/lungs)
• infects people in our region of the country December-April
• comes back every year in slightly altered form, a very regular occurence
• can be dangerous to the young, ill, and elderly
• causes 30,000 deaths a year, mainly in the elderly

H1N1 (swine flu) influenza is an infection from a virus that:

• mainly hits areas of the body that contact air but also the gut.
• is a newly mutated type of influenza virus
• so we do not know when it will be here again
• it was widespread this summer in the US, much less so now
• in the spring and summer of '09 it was quite mild
• If it comes back it may be just as mild as this summer's bout, or more severe

The Advanced Pediatrics 2009 Influenza Immunizations Program

Because of the H1N1 (swine flu) influenza virus, we anticipate a greater

number of visits to the office to evaluate flu-like illnesses and more

people asking for influenza immunizations.

To make this work as smoothly as possible, we are setting aside two

Wednesday late afternoons and three Saturday mornings to be just for

influenza immunizations. Influenza immunizations will only be given

during regular health supervision visits (check-ups) or these special

influenza immunization times.

If you come in for an influenza immunization visit, please try to keep

that appointment devoted to just that purpose. In order to avoid keeping

you or other families waiting, we would ask any other medical concerns

be addressed at any other time. Thanks.

Who Should be Immunized?

1. All children from ages 6 months old and up
2. Anyone living with a child from 0-18 years of age
3. Anyone over 50 years of age
4. Anyone living with someone over 50 years of age
5. All people 6 months and up with a chronic illness
6. Anyone living with someone with a chronic illness

Who Can Advanced Pediatrics Immunize?

In the interest of providing influenza immunizations to as many
children as possible, Advanced Pediatrics will make it available only to

1. All current patients 6 months of age and older
2. Mothers of children ages 0-6 months old

Which influenza vaccine should my child receive?

There are two options: a shot or a nasal spray.

The shot contains no live virus and can be given to anyone ages

6 months-18 years old, unless you are allergic to eggs or reacted

badly to flu shots in the past.

The nasal spray (FluMist) has live virus in it and can be administered

to children ages 2 years and older. It cannot be given to anyone with

egg allergy, previous severe reaction, or asthma or other serious chronic

conditions.

When Can I Make an Influenza Immunization Appointment?

If you have a check up this fall, you can get the immunization then.

If not, please call to set up a 5 minute immunization appointment during

one of these times, at the Advanced Pediatrics office:

These Saturday mornings from 8AM to Noon:

October 3 8AM to Noon

October 24 8AM to Noon

November 21 8AM to Noon

These Late Wednesday Afternoons, 4-7PM:

October 7 4-7PM

October 21 4-7 PM

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) Immunization?

As of the moment of this posting no immunizations for

H1N1 influenza (swine flu) exist.

There is a H1N1 influenza (swine flu) immunization being

developed right now, that may be available sometime in October.

This is a product being rushed to market, for the laudable

goal of having such a vaccine available in case the

returning H1N1 influenza (swine flu) turns out to be far more

dangerous than it was this summer.

With all this in mind, Advanced Pediatrics, as with everyone else,

will not have H1N1 influenza (swine flu) immunizations available

anytime in September of 2009.

Once the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) immunization becomes

available, Advanced Pediatrics will assess how dangerous the

H1N1 influenza (swine flu) infections are this fall and winter.

If the returning H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus proves to be

rather harmless, Advanced Pediatrics will advise against the

use of the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) immunization.

If the returning H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus proves to be

very dangerous, Advanced Pediatrics will advise you to get

the two shot H1N1 influenza (swine flu) immunization for your

children.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Dr. Lavin on CNN about HPV Vaccine

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Dr. Lavin discusses HPV Vaccine on CNN

Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, Health Editor for CNN called Dr. Lavin for his

thoughts on the use of HPV Vaccine. Her colleague, Ms. Sabriya

Rice, then interviewed Dr. Lavin for a posting on CNN.com

Check www.CNN.com after this Thursday, August 13th at Noon.

Search for Dr. Lavin, Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, and/or Ms. Rice to

see an article about HPV vaccine, or hear Dr. Lavin's sound bite.

And, if you do take a look or listen, be sure to let us know

what you thought of the perspective presented.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Tamiflu does not help those with mild illness

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Tamiflu Does Not Help and May Harm Those With Mild Illness

A new study from researchers at Oxford University in Great Britain raises

doubts about the wisdom of using Tamiflu for mild influenza infections.

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2009/090810.html

This study demonstrates that Tamiflu and other antivirals for influenza

infections, including H1N1 (swine flu) virus, offers very little benefit, reducing

the length of the illness by only a few hours. Of more concern, Tamiflu

appears to have no ability to prevent complications of influenza infection

in children. And of most concern, it appears to cause significant

side effects.

Bottom Line

If your child has a mild cold or flu, we do not recommend the use of

Tamiflu. Of course, if a more serious, life-threatening case of

influenza occurs, the use of Tamiflu would have to be considered.

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Is There a New Flu Vaccine for H1N1 for this Fall?

Is There a New Flu Vaccine for H1N1 (swine flu) Virus

for this Fall?

At the time of this posting, we can report that manufacturers are indeed

developing a new influenza vaccine to prevent infection from the

H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

This flu vaccine is not related to the usual fall flu vaccine.

If you get the usual fall flu vaccine, it may not protect against

the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

And, if you get the new H1N1 (swine flu) virus vaccine, it may

not protect against the usual flu.

Final point, this new H1N1 (swine flu) virus vaccine is not yet

available, and its safety has not yet been tested.

And so, at this time, we do not know when we will have

vaccine for the H1N1 (swine flu) virus available.

Stay posted,

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu): Two Groups of Concern

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H1N1 Influenza (swine flu): Two Groups of Concern

In a recent report from the World Health Organization (from July 31, 2009), an

overall very reassuring picture was once again described, but two groups

have emerged as of concern in this H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) epidemic:

pregnant women and severely ill people.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_pregnancy_

20090731/en/index.html

Pregnant Women

Acoss the world, and in the US, if you are pregnant, you are more likely to get

more ill from the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus. This infection can also be a

threat to the well-being of the fetus. If you are pregnant and get a runny

nose, fever, achy body pain, see your doctor right away.

Serious Illness

The second group of note discussed were those who do get very ill from H1N1

influenza (swine flu) virus. How do you know if you are seriously ill?

When you have these symptoms:

• shortness of breath, either during physical activity or while resting
• difficulty in breathing
• turning blue
• bloody or coloured sputum
• chest pain
• altered mental status
• high fever that persists beyond 3 days
• low blood pressure.

In children, danger signs include fast or difficult breathing,
lack of alertness, difficulty in waking up, and little or no desire to play.

If you or your child has any of these symptoms, call your doctor urgently.

If your child comes to Advanced Pediatrics, call and we will see him or

her the same day.

Bottom Line

The vast majority of people with infection from H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

virus do very well.

Pregnant women infected with H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus are more likely

to get more ill.

Anyone pregnant with any signs of illness, and all others with serious signs

should seek medical attention promptly.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.