Performance Pediatrics
Performance Pediatrics Newsletter
November 2008
In This Issue
Influenza 2008-2009
Potassium Iodide
Influenza 2008-2009
Flu Vaccination Available Now 
 
CDC Flu VaccineInfluenza or "The Flu" is a viral illness that spreads across the world every year. Flu season in the Northeast of the United States tends to be from January to March, but occasionally will start earlier. Symptoms of the flu include fever, body ache, headache, sore throat, cough and fatigue. The flu can last 5-7 days, with people usually feeling the worst on days 2 and 3 of the illness.
 
It is important that we all do everything we can to minimize our and our children's chances to get the flu. Everyone should be washing their hands frequently or using an alcohol based hand sanitizer, covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and, of course, getting flu vaccination.
 
Starting this year the CDC has recommended that every child from 6 months to 18 years receive the flu vaccination. Performance Pediatrics has a limited supply of flu vaccine and will be providing flu vaccine for our patients as long as we have supply. There is an inhaled (nose spray) version of the flu vaccine available for children older than 2 years who do not have asthma. We have a limited supply of this nasal vaccine and it will be offered as long as it is available.

Unfortunately we can not provide flu vaccine to anyone who is not a patient at Performance Pediatrics (including parents). Please contact your primary care provider to arrange to get a flu shot for other household members of your family who are not patients at Performance Pediatrics.
 
Plymouth PlantPotassium Iodide (KOH)
Have One Pill/Person in Your Home

I am often asked, especially by people who are new to the Plymouth community, why the school is asking for permission to give their child Potassium Iodide (KOH) "in the event of a nuclear emergency".  Certainly the phrase "nuclear emergency" will make anyone a little anxious, so let me clarify why the school may need to give your child KOH. 

The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant is located in Plymouth. Our town and neighboring towns have plans in place for what to do in the unlikely event of an accident at the plant.  One of the radioactive elements that would be released in a nuclear accident is radioactive iodide.  Iodide is a gas and can travel fairly quickly in the air.  When individuals ingest or inhale iodide it is transported to and stored in the thyroid gland.  If radioactive iodide gets into the thyroid gland it can cause cancer.  However, if an individual (adult or child) takes a large dose of non-radioactive Iodide (KOH) this will "fill up" the gland so any radioactive Iodide that later enters the body will not be stored and will be excreted so it can cause no harm.

Potassium Iodide is a very safe mineral, it is found in common table salt, and the Iodide pills should have no side effects, but may prevent serious illness from a nuclear accident.
I encourage all of my patients to sign the consent to allow the school to provide their child with KOH if needed, and everyone should also get KOH to keep at home (1 pill for everyone in the home) in the event that you are home when there is a nuclear emergency. Most of the towns in the area will provide KOH to residents. Contact your town's department of health to find out where you can get the pills.
Happy Thanksgiving to all our families!
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Terence McAllister