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Ready for Report Cards?
Now that school has been back in session for a full month, the first of the progress reports should be arriving. As parents and children, we all hope for good report cards. There is good evidence that if parents "Pay for A's" that we increase our children's performance. Some would say that this constitutes bribery. However, when you and I go to work, we expect a paycheck. Few of us can bring home all A's and we should remember to praise our children for their effort.
Few children see the inherent good in getting A's. Those kids are out there, but far and few between. More often, the intrinsic good of doing well in school comes from what we teach our children as values. Even then, it does not always seem worth it to them to work that extra bit for the A.
So, we should pay, though not necessarily money, for good grades. Payment can be more time spent with your child doing the things they want to do. It can be monetary, but could also be going to their favorite restaurant, cooking their favorite meal, going camping, buying clothes, etc. Just remember to be realistic and set expectations that children can meet. It wouldn't do to go to work (school), complete your job to the best of your ability, and have the boss give half a paycheck.
On the other hand, we should also teach our children realistic goals. In these financially tight times, not many have extra cash, so they need to be understanding if they don't get a huge dollar amount for their grades. Sometimes half a paycheck is better than none. _______________________________________________________
H1N1 Influenza and flu vaccines
As we enter the first week of October this week, influenza has left its mark on the community with the first child death attributed to influenza since the spring of 2009. Since the H1N1 influenza virus has appeared in so many countries, it has reached the pandemic level. This refers to an epidemic that is world wide. In the United States, there is now an H1N1 vaccine that is being distributed now. The first recipients will be health care workers and those with increased risk factors for serious illness, including young children 6 months to 2years old and adults >60 as well as those with chronic health problems and pregnant women.
In addition to the novel H1N1 vaccine, everyone should consider the normal seasonal flu vaccine. For children in our practice, we have vaccine available now. We have flu clinics in Thomasville and the Archdale-Trinity office scheduling currently. We also have limited supplies of H1N1 Flumist. We must give Flumist seasonal and H1N1 one month apart, but the injectable seasonal flu can be given at the same time as the H1N1 Flumist. We do not have H1N1 injectable at this time Please call for an appointment. In addition, if your child is coming to the office for an appointment for any other reason, we can give the flu vaccines at that time, if they are well enough. Only high fever at the time of your appointment or allergy to the vaccine or its components should discourage vaccination.
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Treatment and Prevention of the Flu
By now many people understand that influenza is a serious illness. However, following the Center for Disease Control recommendations, we are not giving the treatment for influenza, Tamiflu, to all persons. If your child is healthy and 5 years old or older, we are not recommending treatment. However, if they are under age 5 years, have asthma, heart disease or immune suppression, we are treating those children. There are potential complications of influenza that can make it a more serious illness even for healthy individuals. In those cases, we are treating with Tamiflu, as long as your child falls under those guidelines. In addition, if your child has fever that goes away and then returns, or which lasts at high levels for longer than 5-7 days without trending down, then that is another reason to come in.
Supportive measures such as fever reduction, mucus thinning with Mucinex, rest, plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and staying away from school until fever is gone for 24 hours are still the best recommendations for normal flu sufferers. We are happy to see your child, but don't want you to be upset if we do not treat your child with available medications. Remember, antibiotics don't work for influenza, but at times we need them for the complications of influenza such as ear infection, sinusitis and pneumonia.
As regards ways to reduce influenza transmission, it is clear that there are simple things to do:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. You can also cough into your shoulder or elbow to reduce spreading germs to your hands.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
* Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
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