We always try to prescribe the least expensive medication available that will treat your child effectively. And we usually use generic medications, which are just as effective as the branded drugs for most children.
But medications can be expensive! Your insurance plan’s drug benefit should help cover the cost, but sometimes there’s a problem.
If you arrive [...]
Everyone is asking me about the Swine Flu vaccine. We don’t have it in stock yet! But I expect a shipment from the Delaware Division of Public Health any week. When we receive it, I’ll post a note here.
People ask if I recommend the Swine Flu vaccine. Yes, I certainly do! When we receive it, [...]
As of October 7, 2009, these are the regular (”seasonal”) flu vaccines we have in stock:
For patients with “Commercial” insurance (Blue Cross, Aetna, Coventry, etc.): we have all “regular flu” vaccines:
- shots for all children under 3
- nasal spray for all children over 2 (EXCEPT those with asthma)
- shots for all children over 3 (INCLUDING [...]
Nosebleeds are not usually dangerous, but they are messy and alarming.
In order to stop the bleeding, a clot must form. The quickest way is to have the child sit calmly, with the head tilted slightly forward (as if looking at the floor at the far end of the room). Pinch both nostrils closed, and hold [...]
The immediate spread of Swine Flu seems to be abating, but it’s likely to resurface in the fall.
So far, Swine Flu hasn’t seemed very serious. Most cases have recovered fully; fewer than 500 people have died from it in the US so far this year. This is a remarkably low number, considering the high rate [...]
As of 5/5/09, none of my patients have been diagnosed with Swine Flu (H1N1). Several students at the University of Delaware have tested positive for Swine Flu. A handful of other people, including elementary school students, have also been verified (+) for Swine Flu. A total of 20 cases in Delaware have been identified. Nationally, 403 [...]
If you need to reach a physician after hours, please be SURE that you are calling our main telephone number: 392 – 2077.
Double-check your cell phone; if you have *any* other phone number recorded (2078 through 2084), you will reach an internal number that will sound legitimate but will not record a message. (This may [...]
When children develop a fever in the middle of the night, parents want to make them feel better. There are lots of useful ways to do this.
The first thing, of course, is to ensure that the fever doesn’t represent something dangerous. Meningitis or dehydration come to mind; parents should use their best judgement about when [...]
A recent article in the Wilmington (Delaware) News Journal described two studies published recently, suggesting caution in using steroid medications in children. Several patients have asked me about these findings. The new studies were published in the January 22, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Here is my interpretation of these studies.
There [...]
Ear wax (cerumen) generally does not pose a medical problem, even if the amount seems excessive. It is unusual for excessive ear wax to cause hearing problems in children (although this is a more common problem in adults). Excessive ear wax does not cause middle ear infections, and is only rarely involved in swimmer’s ear. [...]
