ABC Pediatrics
Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures*:
Guides for parents about nutrition, development, safety, and other issues
Well Child Checkups
* Source: KP.org, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Travel shots: Call ABC Pediatrics Fresno and request Dr. Shahinfar.
Below you’ll find a general list of vaccines that we recommend for children and adults. Some immunizations are given in a single shot, while others require a series of shots over a period of time. Missed doses can often be made up.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about immunizations and find immunization definitions in our glossary.
| Name of vaccine | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox (varicella) | 2 doses total: given at 12 months and 4 to 6 years if no prior history of chickenpox. Children 4 years and older who have had 1 dose of vaccine need a second dose. |
| Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) | 5 doses total: given at 2, 4, 6, 12 to 15 months, and 4 to 6 years. Minimum age: 6 weeks. Not given to children 7 years of age or older. |
| Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | 4 doses total: given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. Minimum age: 6 weeks. Generally not given to children 5 years of age and older. Hib is a cause of pneumonia and bacterial meningitis, particularly in children under 5 years of age. |
| Hepatitis A (HepA) | 2 doses total: given at 12 and 18 months. May be given to older patients (no maximum age) with a minimum of 6 months between the 2 doses. |
| Hepatitis B (HepB) | 3 doses total: given at birth, 1 to 2 months, and 6 months. If receiving combined DTap-IPV-HepB vaccine, an extra dose may be given to infants at age 4 months. May be given to older patients. |
| Human papillomavirus (HPV) | 3-dose series for boys and girls starting at age 11 to 12 years. Minimum age: 9 years.The second dose is given 2 months after the first.The third dose is given at least 3 months after the second dose and at least 6 months after the first dose.HPV causes cervical cancer, anal cancer, and some other types of cancer. |
| Inactivated influenza (flu shot) | Annually starting at age 6 months.Doses: Children 6 months to 9 years who are getting a flu shot for the first time or did not receive the H1N1 vaccine last year need 2 shots, given a month apart. |
| Live intranasal influenza | |
| Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) | 4 doses total: given at 2, 4, 6 months, and 4 to 6 years. In California, the fourth dose may be given as young as age 12 months. Minimum age: 6 weeks. |
| Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) | 2 doses total: given at 12 months and 4 to 6 years. Single-agent vaccines for measles and mumps are no longer available. If given before age 12 months for international travel or a disease outbreak, 2 subsequent doses are still needed. Minimum age: 6 months. |
| Meningococcal conjugate (MCV) | 1 dose: given at 11 to 12 years or older (up to age 21). Booster dose: given at 16 to 21 years to those who got their first dose before age 16. |
| Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) | 4 doses total: given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. Minimum age: 6 weeks. Generally not given to children 5 years of age and older. Given to children 2 years of age and older with special high-risk medical conditions. Pneumococci are a common cause of bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. |
| Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) | Given to children 2 years of age and older with special high-risk medical conditions. Pneumococci are a common cause of bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. |
| Rotavirus (RV) | 3 doses total: given at 2, 4, and 6 months. Minimum age: 6 weeks. Maximum age for the first dose is 14 weeks and 6 days. Final dose in the series is given by age 8 months and 0 days. |
| Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis booster for teens and adults (Tdap)Also available: Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) | 1 dose: given at age 11 years and older. (Children ages 7 to 10 years who did not get the complete DTaP series will get a Tdap booster.) Proof of vaccination is now required for entry into 7th through 12th grades in the fall of 2012. Vaccinating teens and adults prevents pertussis cough illness (up to 3 months of cough) and also prevents infants from developing whooping cough, a potentially fatal disease. |
|
KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents – each with its own design, and appropriate content and tone. There are literally thousands on in-depth features, articles, animations, games and resources -all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens.
This web site is published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which promotes and maintains high-quality standards for family doctors who are providing continuing comprehensive health care to the public
This website’s mission is to empower people with trusted solutions for healthier lives by providing credible information from the most trusted sources.
http://www.childrenscentralcal.org/
Easy to use Health Encyclopedia contains thousands of pages of information on pediatric diseases, conditions and treatments, as well as sections on how to keep kids healthy. You can find what you want by using the Quick Links on the right or by searching the whole encyclopedia using the search box. We suggest you search – you’ll find what you want quickly! The encyclopedia is also available en espanol
The mission of this web site is to empower people to manage their health by providing useful and up-to-date information and tools that reflect the expertise and standard of excellence of Mayo Clinic, it gives you access to the experience and knowledge of the more than 2,000 physicians and scientists of Mayo Clinic.
This site features links to information on diseases and conditions and a pregnancy center for the expecting parents.
www.WebMD.com
Patients can get the latest health care information through articles and videos over many health-related topics.
HealthTalk interactive connects patients with people who can answer questions through interactive Web broadcasts that are designed to offer more than clinical medical information. HealthTalk allows patients to ask questions of experts in the web casts, then archives the programs and transcripts on its web site.
This is an internet-based medical site providing highest-quality health information, daily medical news, a health library, resources, drug information, articles, references, free medical questions and answers with experts, informative material, community support groups, live health chat, real-time interactive tools and more.
Learning disorders, ADHD, 504 Plans, etc.
Often a simple test can detect a disease or condition even before there are symptoms, when it’s easier to treat. Children receive regular screening tests at their scheduled appointments to monitor growth and development.
Below you’ll find a general list of screening tests and when they are recommended for most children and Teens.
| Screening | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure | Checked at every well-child visit starting at age 3. |
| Chlamydia | Sexually active girls need an annual chlamydia test. |
| Head circumference | Measured at every well-care visit between birth and 18 months. |
| Hearing | An audiogram is performed at birth, between ages 3 and 5, and at preventive care visits, as recommended by Dr. Shahinfar, from 6 to 17 years. |
| Height and weight | Measured at every well-care visit. Body mass index (BMI) should be calculated starting at age 2 to help determine if your child is at a healthy weight. |
| HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) | Sexually active males and females age 12 and older need an annual HIV and STD risk assessment. Testing will be offered if you are at-risk. |
| Vision | Checked once at age 3 to 5 years and at well-care visits, as recommended by your physician, from 6 to 17 years. |
| Additional tests | Your child is tested at birth for thyroid deficiencies, intolerance to milk sugar (galactosemia), sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin diseases, and phenylketonuria or PKU. Your physician will let you know if your child needs additional tests for problems such as high cholesterol, tuberculosis, anemia, or lead exposure. |
Protect yourself and your family. Get a flu shot.
The seasonal flu is more serious than the common cold and is easily transmitted to others.
Everyone should get a flu shot every year. It can help protect you from getting sick and keep you from spreading the flu to others – especially those at higher risk during flu season, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and people with ongoing health conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children 6 months and older and every adult get vaccinated against the flu.
Walk-in Flu Shots: Pediatric flu shots are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Flu shots will be available throughout the winter. For more information about preventing or treating the flu, visit our website.
* The 2017-2018 vaccination season begins on September 1, 2017.
A. INJECTION VACCINE (Flu Shot)
1) Will not give you the flu.
2) For people 6 months and older, including those with chronic conditions or who have a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy or other conditions
3) An inactivated (dead) vaccine helps boost the immune system into producing vaccine antibodies
4) Highly effective
5) Provides protection in one way: a) Makes systemic (body) antibodies in the bloodstream
6) Mild reactions may include soreness, redness and swelling where shot is given. Children are more likely to experience fever or muscle aches.
B. Flu Shot Common Side Effects and Self Care
Children and adolescents may experience mild reactions:
> Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
> Fever or body aches
> Children are more likely to experience aches or fever because they have not had much exposure to flu viruses
> Self-care: 1) Ice to injection site if pain, redness or swelling 2) Over the counter analgesics for pain, fever 3) If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 to 2 days.
C. Flu Vaccine Reminders
> Symptoms usually do not last long and go away on their own
> Contact Dr. Shahinfar if experiencing an allergic reaction that includes a rash
> Seek immediate medical attention if: shortness of breath or swelling of the lips or tongue
NASAL FLU VACCINE (FluMist)
On June 28, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that FluMist , the nasal spray influenza vaccine, not be used for the upcoming 2016-2018 flu season.
For more information to help you prepare for flu season, call us.
Business anniversaries are important occasions for a company, since they provide the physician and staff an occasion to celebrate its achievements
Five years ago, ABC Pediatrics Fresno was born. It has been an exciting year for ABC Pediatrics as we grew very rapidly, in terms of our patients as well as our employees.
We implemented Athena, a state of the technical art Electronic Medical Record System. Our patients have the ability to re-schedule appointments, view billing, pay bills on-line and communicate with the physician and office staff, from the comfort of their homes via internet.
We are excited as the next year begins to continue the excellent care your children receive and enhance new technology to better communicate with our patients and colleagues.
So, we give a hip hip hoorah on our success and five year anniversary!
Protect Your Baby from Whooping Cough
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a highly contagious disease that is spread from person to person by coughing. It spreads easily in households, schools, and workplaces.
Over the past 30 years, the number of people with whooping cough in the U.S. has been increasing. A person of any age can catch whooping cough, but children, teens and young adults catch it more often.
When babies get whooping cough, it can be life-threatening. Many need to be hospitalized because they cannot breathe. Some also develop pneumonia and other serious complications.
The good news is that vaccines are available to help prevent whooping cough. You can protect your family from whooping cough by making sure all of your family members, including children over 6 weeks of age, get a vaccination.
DTaP is a vaccine for children under 7 years old and is given in 5 doses before kindergarten starts. Infants as young as 6 weeks old can get a DTaP vaccine. Another vaccine for teens and adults, Tdap, also prevents whooping cough and is available to children as young as 10 years old. Only one dose of Tdap is needed to protect teens and adults.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
• Most infants with whooping cough get it from members of their own household. Parents and other adults or teens in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old should get Tdap vaccine if they have not already had the vaccine. This includes grandparents younger than 65 years old, teenage siblings, day care workers, health care workers, and other adults who are in close contact with young infants. If you are 65 years or older and live with or care for an infant, please talk to your physician about pertussis vaccination.
• Women of childbearing age should get vaccinated. If you are pregnant, and have not been vaccinated you can get Tdap vaccine during your pregnancy or after giving birth. Partners and families can be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of the baby so they don’t infect their newborn. About half of infants who develop whooping cough get it from their mothers. It is safe for mothers to get Tdap vaccine while breastfeeding.
• Many infants who get whooping cough are infected by teenage siblings. Your pediatrician can protect your newborn baby by giving your children and teenagers Tdap vaccine starting when they are 10 years old.
• If you are not sure if you and your family members have been properly vaccinated against whooping cough, you can find out by viewing your immunization records on ABCpediatricsFresno.com – Patient Portal Link (See top right hand corner of the website) or by contacting your physician’s office.
Ask your doctor or visit our Clinic as soon as possible to get yourself and your family vaccinated so you can protect your baby against whooping cough. Remind others to cover their mouths when they cough and to wash their hands often.
