Peachtree Park Pediatrics Newsletter
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What's New?
Staff Members Spotlight

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What's Happening
Did you know?
  The Children's Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 5th, 10:30am-noon in Midtown Atlanta
  
       Holiday Office Hours

Thursday, 11/26- closed

Friday, 11/27- open am for sick visits

Saturday, 11/28- open am for sick visits

 

Thursday, 12/24- open am for sick visits

Friday, 12/25- closed

Saturday, 12/26- open am for sick visits

 

Thursday, 12/31- open am for sick visits

Friday, 1/1/2016- closed

Saturday, 1/2- open am for sick visits

                              
  
Issue: # 5

       Fall/Winter 2015

      

What's New?    
It is important that most people 6 months and older receive the annual flu vaccine.  Every flu season is different and even healthy children can get very sick from the flu.  Flu season usually starts early October and can run as late as May.  
There are two options available for flu vaccination-flu shots and nasal mist.  The nasal mist is appropriate for children over 2 years to age 49 who have no history of wheezing in the past 12 months, asthma diagnosis, or are immunocompromised.  Because of nasal mist shortages nationwide, only the intramuscular flu vaccine is consistantly available in our office and approved for all children 6 months and older. 
It is important you get the flu vaccine each year as your immunity wanes from year to year and the flu virus mutates, so the strains covered in any given year within the vaccine can vary.  It usually takes 2 weeks for your body to build immunity and the earlier you get the vaccine, the better.  It is still possible to get the flu even if you are vaccinated; however, it is important to recognize that the vaccine, even if not a perfect match, can still protect against flu related complications and duration/severity of illness.  A recent study showed that the flu vaccine reduced children's risk of flu related pediatric intensive care unit admissions by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
A common myth is that the flu vaccine can "give you the flu".   Flu vaccines administered as a shot are either "inactivated" or not infectious or are a "recombinant" vaccine and contain no flu virus at all.  The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses but are weakened and cannot cause the flu illness.   If you think you got the flu after the flu vaccine, you likely contracted another virus or already had come in contact with the flu virus and hadn't had time to mount immunity!
Some common side effects from the injectable vaccine include: soreness or swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, and aches.  Additional side effects reported from the mist are viral-like symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, or headache.  
The flu virus is highly contagious, spread via respiratory droplets of cough/sneezes and the time from exposure to symptoms is usually 1-4 days with an average of 2 days.  An individual is contagious 1 day before symptoms and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick.  In any given flu season, depending on severity, you have a 5-20% chance of contracting the flu. The flu can have serious complications, especially in infants and young children such as: pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes.  For these reasons, and to protect those who are too young or too sick to get the flu vaccine, we recommend vaccination to most children. 
 


  
Staff Members Spotlight

 Keisha Hulon

LPN


 

  Keisha joined PPP earlier this year. She works in the clinical area and nurse advice. Here are some of her favorites:

 

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Family: Fiance' Ben and Dior their dog

Hobbies: Exercising, Running and DIY Projects

3 words to describe you: Loyal, Nurturer, Goal Oriented

Favorite Food: Her Daddy's BBQ ribs

Favorite Vacation Destination: Miami, FL

What do you enjoy most about your job and why? : Making a difference in patients lives and being able to give them great nursing advice.

 

 

 

             

  Bonita Boykin

Patient Services Rep/Collections Coordinator     

 

Bonita has been with the practice for 13 years. Here are some of her favorites:

 

Hometown: Smyrna, GA

Family: Husband Charles, 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 1 on the way! and her 1 dog!

Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, spending time with family

Favorite Food: Pasta and cookies

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving- to spend time with family

3 words to describe you: Nurturing, Sarcastic, Funny

What do you enjoy most about your job?: Everyone is part of a team and we work well together                        

  
 
"At Peachtree Park Pediatrics, we strive to deliver the finest scientific-based medical care to our infant, children and young adult patients in a warm, family-friendly environment. We are dedicated to establishing close relationships with our patients and their families in order to provide comprehensive care"

 

Sincerely,

 


Peachtree Park Pediatrics