The first day of school is just around the corner and it's time to help your children stay as healthy as possible as classes begin. One of the best ways to make sure your children get off to a good start in school is to get their annual physical exam.

Why is a physical exam important? Physical exams help ensure that your children are physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead. As pediatricians, we examine your children to make sure that they are physically fit to play sports, but we also address psychosocial issues appropriate for your children's age and gender to make sure all is well from a developmental, social, and mental standpoint. Keep in mind that vision and hearing screenings are a very important part of the exam. Often children are thought to have learning disabilities or are simply just not performing well in pre-school or school, when the real problem is that the child needs glasses or they are having trouble hearing.

Vaccines are required for pre-school and school entry and again prior to 7th grade. Vaccines are important to keep your children and those around them healthy. One vaccine that is important for your children every year is the influenza vaccine, better known as "the flu shot". It will keep your children healthier. Yes, it is true they are still at risk for getting the flu even after receiving the vaccine. Depending on the year, the flu shot is 50% to 80% effective. But, the flu shot allows your children to build up antibodies against the flu virus. If your children get the flu, these antibodies will help prevent their flu illness from lasting as long or being as severe as it may have been otherwise. 

So, as you are out buying back to school supplies and new clothes for your children, remember to schedule a stop by our office.  This will help your kids get off to a healthy start as the exciting new school year begins!