Report from the CDC, Recent Increase in Hib Disease in Children 0-5 yrs old

For families who have been following an alternative vaccination plan, this item might be of interest to you. I am not pushing any philosophy here - just providing info for families to consider. I received this notice from our pediatrician's office yesterday... [UPDATE: SEE REPLY TO VACCINE POST ON 4-12-09]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that five cases of Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) invasive disease were confirmed in 2008 in Minnesota. Of the 5 babies who contracted the disease, 3 patients had received no vaccinations due to parent deferral or refusal of vaccinations. One healthy infant who was unimmunized was 7 months old and died of Hib disease.

Hib disease is a severe bacterial infection, occurring primarily in infants and children under 5 years. It can be the cause of meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, epiglotittis (a severe throat infection), skin infections, and arthritis. It can be serious in children under age 1, but there is little risk of getting the disease after age 5. Transmission is most likely through respiratory droplets (coughing and sneezing). http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd- vac/hib/default.htm

Hib meningitis can result in death in one out of 20 children, and permanent brain damage in 10% - 30% of the survivors.

Before widespread use of the Hib vaccine, Hib disease contributed to 20,000 deaths in small children/year in the U.S.

**************************************************
If your child has been receiving regular checkups and is following the recommended schedule of vaccination there is no need to worry. Hib vaccine is recommended for all infants and is provided as a 3 dose series in the form of Pentacel (combination vaccine of DTaP, Hib, and IPV) at 2, 4, and 6 months. A booster dose after 12 months is also recommended. http://www.townandcountrypeds.com/test_tips_wellExam. htm

Although Hib bacteria are present normally in the community, vaccines given to infants can significantly decrease its communicability.

*With decreasing rates of immunization due to parental refusal, we are currently experiencing resurgence of these bacteria in our community. This is also referred to as herd immunity.

We understand that some parents are apprehensive about vaccinating their children. This is a timely and stern reminder for those hesitant about agreeing to follow the vaccination schedule published by the CDC.

Hib disease is nearly preventable with timely and complete vaccination.

If you have been following an alternative schedule, please take the time to think about fully vaccinating your infant or small child. Call the office for an immunization appointment today.

Halsted Office (312) 279-8900
Glenview Office (847) 998-8806
Lincoln Office (773) 478-1067

Town and Country Pediatrics, S.C.
email: jenniferh@townandcountrypeds.com
phone: 312-279-8900
web: http://www.townandcountrypeds.com

Feb Events

All Winter - Free Museum Days

Always FREE Chicago Attractions

FREE Ice Skating Admission (skate rental is $10)

FREE Music and Dance Performances in Chicago

FREE Tours of Chicago

Saturdays in Feb, 6:30pm, Pioneer Court at 401 N. Michigan Avenue during the month of February 2009: the ONLY winter fireworks experience over the Chicago River, surrounded by magnificent architecture.FREE.

Saturdays in February - Garfield Park Conservatory. 11am - 4pm, Sweet Saturdays. Learn about plants that provide the key ingredients to our favorite sweet treats: bananas, vanilla beans, cinnamon bark, and chocolate trees. Sweet Saturday sample activities: Tropical Treat Stations; design a scratch 'n sniff necklaces with cinnamon and sandpaper and “leaf rubbing” Valentine’s Day Cards; make Chocolate Sachets with the sweet-smelling shells of cocoa beans; Sweet Reads & Candy College. FREE samples from (February 7) Baskin Robbins, Starbucks Coffee; (February 14) Divine Chocolate; (February 21) Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Certified organically and natural sugars, syrups, nectars and honeys. Tropical Café: at a leisurely pace attendees can buy sandwiches, souvenir treats, and listen to the sweet sounds of tropical tunes. “Member’s Only” Chocolate Lounge: chocolate “taste test”, Pot up a special chocolate mint plant to take home, a drawing to win a fresh chocolate pod, hot chocolate within our relaxing “members only” seating area. Suggested donation at entry is $2.

February 1, Sun, Chinatown, 1pm - Chinese New Year Parade
Celebrate the Year of the Ox, 4707, at this spectacle featuring a 100-foot-long dragon float and the traditional Chinese lion dance. The parade begins at Wentworth Avenue and 24th Street, then heads north on Wentworth to Cermak Road. Event phone: 312-326-5320, FREE.

February 1 - May 10, Lincoln Park Conservatory, 9am - 5pm everyday - Spring Flower Show ...Under the snowy landscapes of Chicago, spring is still able to make an early entrance with the help of the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Escape the frozen, tundra-like landscape to the Spring Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The free annual Spring Flower Show offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of spring with a rare opportunity to meet the direct descendents of the great Azaleas that once bloomed at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. In addition, this year’s flower show will feature a changing selection of spring blooming plants including Azaleas, spring flowering annuals and spring flowering perennials. FREE. ALSO, SAME DATES AT Garfield Park, same hours except Thurs when they are open until 8pm. Experience the beauty of spring early. Encounter rarely seen, direct descendents of the great Azaleas from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, as well as Hydrangeas, Cymbidiums, Orchids, Camellias, spring flowering bulbs and perennials.

February 1-8, Sun - Sun, United Center,"Disney On Ice - Worlds of Fantasy".
Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar's CARS race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and experience the 'Circle of Life' with The Lion King. Then enter into the magical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and all her fairy friends as they make their world premiere on ice! From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories. Special Bonus! Disney Princess Pre-Show: Arrive up to one hour early to tour our dazzling display of gorgeous gowns. Complimentary to all ticket holders. Save $4 on all performances, excluding Sunday, February 1 at 3 pm, by using code FAIRY at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-559-1212. Discount does not apply to Front Row or VIP seats.

February 7, Navy Pier, noon - 5pm, Honest Abe at Navy Pier - Join Abe Lincoln for a gathering of all things "Abe" including a replica of the Lincoln Memorial sculpture and historical-character appearances.

Feb 7-8, Sat-Sun, 10am - 4pm, Millenium Park Chase Promenade, Frozen Fun Fest: Celebrate winter with icy enjoyment for the whole family. The round-up of weekend ice activities includes: skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink; guided winter walks in the Lurie Garden (both days at 11 am); kids’-sized maze made of more than 100 blocks of ice; fun, frozen outdoor games, like cornhole and ring toss. Outdoor enthusiasts will also delight in: building frozen masterpieces with Brrrrr blocks, posing for ice portraits created by a professional ice carver, and joining Noble Horse Theatre and Environmental Encroachment in a park procession with the Ice King and Queen and their royal marching band (10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3 pm). And, to help all stay warm, yummy drinks will be provided courtesy of Starbucks. FREE

Feb 13-22, McCormick Place, 10am - 10pm, The Chicago Auto Show, the nation’s largest and world’s third largest, offers attendees the opportunity to see the latest production and concept vehicles from a broad cross-section of automakers. From new 2009/2010 cars to concept vehicles, the annual show for autophiles of all ages offers a traffic-stopping array complete with driving accessories and devices. adults: $10; seniors/children 7-12 $5; children 6 and under FREE

February 15 - Cabin Fever
The perfect antidote to Cabin Fever! To celebrate Abe Lincoln’s 200th birthday, learn about Lincoln’s one room cabin and make a Lincoln cabin to take home, hear stories about Abe, and design homes using Kapla blocks. Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan, free day of activities is part of CAF’s Studio Sundays, a monthly series of kid-friendly programs designed for families with children up to age 12. No reservations are needed. www.architecture.org

Feb 12-16 - Snow Days Chicago
1 am to 8 pm, Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15
11 am to 6 pm, Monday, February 16
FREE five-day winter festival on Michigan Avenue in Grant Park featuring a national snow sculpting competition, dog sled demonstrations, a snowboard rail jam and kids activities! Bring the whole family and watch as the city is transformed into a winter wonderland, showcasing over 27 beautiful and unique sculptures made entirely out of snow! For any last minute major changes to event including cancellation due to unsafe weather conditions, please call 3-1-1 for the most up-to-date information. Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, East side of Michigan Avenue between Harrison Street and Balbo Drive, 601 S. Michigan Ave. , Chicago, IL 6060. For additional information please visit, http://www.snowdayschicago.us

Feb 13 Friday -Valentines Day Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Ice Skating Party
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, All Ages
Daley Bicentennial Plaza

Feb 16 Mon -President's Day: Holiday Skate
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM, all ages
ages 12 & under = $4; 13 & over = $5; 60 & over = $2; skate rental = $3
McFetridge Sports Center (a.k.a. California Park)

Feb 21 Sat -Polar Adventure Days
12 - 4:30pm, all ages
Northerly Island
Don’t let winter slow you down- come out and enjoy our fourth annual Polar Adventure Days series. Watch as amazing ice sculptures are created right in front of you, meet a team of live polar huskies, and see birds of prey and other live animals. You can also make winter crafts, sip hot cocoa, and snowshoe, if there is snow. Don’t forget to dress warm. These events are free and no registration is required.

FEVER: DON'T ALTERNATE ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN

Fever may be the most common symptom why parents seek help from a health care provider. Even though fever is merely a symptom of an illness, its mere presence is enough to incite panic and fear for many parents. See our full explanation on fever and dosage charts.

Regimen for managing fever can include exposing a child to a lukewarm bath and/or administering anti-fever medications. Antifever medications may include acetaminophen (Tylenol or FeverAll suppositories), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). In recent times, it has become commonplace to administer these two medications in tandem alternating their use over a 3-4 hr period. For example, first a child may receive Tylenol and then 3-4 hours later receiving Motrin or Advil. This schedule for treating fever has been studied in only a few unsubstantiated clinical trials and the outcome of these trials is not enough to accept this as a safe method. The tandem use of these medications has not appeared in a few trials to lower fever more than the use of monotherapy (using acetaminophen or ibuprofen alone) anyway.

The science of using both of these medications is complex, however the medication and its broken down byproducts appear to concentrate in the kidneys. Of course for our littlest patients and for those with kidney compromise the synergistic use of these medications poses a major concern. Please refrain from alternating these medications in the future with your children.

Howard Rice, M.D.
Jennifer Hartman, CPNP
Town and Country Pediatrics
email: jenniferh@townandcountrypeds.com
phone: 773-929-2260
web: http://www.townandcountrypeds.com