The office is closed today, November 23rd, 2023 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We resume regular business hours tomorrow, Friday November 24th. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Scheduling COVID shots in the office
We are excited to announce that we are able to give the current COVID vaccine to any patient 6mo+ here in the office. The process will be the same as flu vaccines with using MyChart to schedule. Please follow the below guidelines to ensure we make your COVID vaccine experience as easy as possible.
We will not be accepting any walk-ins for COVID vaccines. All patients of Pediatrics 5280 must have an appointment scheduled through MyChart (see the directions below). We will not be offering this vaccine to non-patients. Unfortunately, we are unable to give the vaccine to anyone with Tricare insurance at this time, as it is not currently a reimbursable vaccine. Tricare patients have the option to either pay out of pocket for the vaccine or go to your local health department. We are hopeful Tricare will reimburse this vaccine in the next few months.
The COVID vaccine available will be the current 2023-2024 Pfizer COVID vaccine. All appointments will be during office hours. More appointments may open depending on available staff, so please check back weekly if you do not see something that works for you.
To make an appointment for a patient:
· Double check the location and click the appointment time that works for you. (Centennial is “PC” and Castle Rock is “Castle Rock PC”.
· When the option appears, sign in with your MyChart login to schedule.
· In the appointment notes, please put “covid” or “covid vaccine”
· If you are signing up siblings, each sibling needs their own appointment, so you will be making multiple appointments. If you do not see multiple spots within the same hour, that’s ok, we just need them to be scheduled on the same day you intend to come in. In the appointment note, please put the appointment time you will be using and the sibling name. Ex: Covid Vaccine- coming at 10am with Jane
· Please attempt to schedule via MyChart or while in the office to help alleviate call hold times for patients trying to schedule sick visits.
· To schedule, please use:
https://mychart.childrenscolorado.org/MyChart/openscheduling/standalone?id=900052,901412&dept=9001101,9001102&vt=2122056
When the option appears, sign in with your MyChart login to schedule.
Common Fall and Winter Illnesses To Be Aware Of
As we get into the fall and winter months, this time of year comes with cold weather, holidays, and of course-sickness. It is the time of year for coughing, sneezing, congestion and a variety of common illnesses that impact children. Below are a few for all parents to be aware of:
Influenza
Commonly known as the flu, this viral illness is mostly seasonal and tends to peak every fall/winter, usually lasting into early spring. This very contagious virus comes on quickly-usually with high fever, cough, body aches, congestion, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
The best way to protect yourself and your children is to get the flu vaccine in the fall. All children 6 months and older are eligible for the flu vaccine. Hand washing is also very important for prevention. High risk children, particularly those aged 2 years or younger or with other medical conditions like asthma, may qualify for treatment with Tamiflu (an antiviral) that can help lessen the length and severity of symptoms. This treatment is most effective if started within 48 hours of onset of flu symptoms.
The Common Cold
The common cold is also a viral illness. It can be caused by a variety of viral causes (one example is rhinovirus). This illness typically has less serious symptoms compared to influenza. Although anyone can get a cold throughout the year, they occur more frequently in winter due to children being indoors and in closer proximity to each other.
Colds usually present with a lower-grade fever, runny nose, coughing, congestion, and a sore throat. Treatment is generally supportive with plenty of fluids, rest and fever management. Children should be seen if fever is lasting longer than 72 hours, you have breathing concerns, they are not having good urine output, or symptoms are not improving by 2-3 weeks.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Often known as a stomach “bug,” this is a virus that infects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is most commonly caused by norovirus and is not directly related to the influenza virus. It is very contagious, so encourage your children to wash their hands frequently if it is circulating.
Vomiting, watery diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, headache, fatigue, and a mild fever are all symptoms of an intestinal virus. Some symptoms can last as long as 1-2 weeks, but are usually improving within a few days of onset. It is important to monitor that your child does not get dehydrated, and is able to tolerate fluid intake. Can encourage water, Pedialyte or other clear fluids.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection rather than virus-Group A Strep. This illness can cause a severe sore throat, painful swallowing, head and stomach aches, and fever. Sometimes a rash can develop as well. Classically there is not significant cough or congestion with strep.
Call your pediatrician if you suspect strep throat to schedule an appointment for testing, and if positive-for a course of antibiotics. There can be complications if strep is not treated promptly.
RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a viral infection as well. For some children it can present as a common cold. For young infants and children, it can settle in the lungs and airways which can then present as bronchiolitis (inflammation of lower airways).
Symptoms may look like a cold at first but can become worse often 3-5 days after the onset. Symptoms include cough, rapid breathing, increased work of breathing/retractions, wheezing from upper airway congestion, a runny nose, and fever.
Use a humidifier to help keep the air moist, a bulb syringe and saline drops to reduce nasal fluids, steam showers, and give your child plenty of fluids. Call the office if any persistent breathing concerns.
Preventing Fall and Winter Illnesses
It is important to keep your children home if they are having sick symptoms. A few things to remember:
- Be sure they get enough rest.
- Frequent handwashing is always recommended.
- Be sure they are getting plenty of fluids and healthy foods.
- Everyone in the family should get their flu shot.
Contact Pediatrics 5280 if your child has a persistent high fever, any breathing concerns, not having good urine output or other concerning symptoms.
Castle Rock Office Expansion
Our Castle Rock office is expanding! Please bear with us in the next few months during the construction/remodel process. Thanks!
Office closed for Labor Day Holiday
Our offices are closed today for the Labor Day holiday. The on call physician can be reached by telephone for urgent questions or concerns. Both offices will be open normal business hours, tomorrow Tuesday September 5th. Thanks and happy Labor Day!
10 years in Castle Rock!
We are celebrating 10 years since our Castle Rock office has opened -a huge thank you to all our patients and families for their continued support! We are honored to care for your families!
Office is closed for the 4th of July
Our offices are closed today for the 4th of July holiday. The on call physician can be reached by telephone for urgent questions or concerns. Both offices will be open normal business hours, tomorrow Wednesday July 5th. Thanks and happy 4th of July!
COVID vaccine schedule update
As of yesterday, the FDA has updated the recommendation for COVID vaccine schedules-to include increased use of the bivalent COVID vaccines and phase out the original monovalent COVID vaccines.
https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/24110/FDA-simplifies-COVID-vaccine-dosing-all-mRNA
Masking Update: April 1st, 2023
As of April 1st, 2023, our office will be moving to a masking optional policy.
We encourage those with sick symptoms to continue to wear a mask in the office.
All providers and staff members will continue to mask if requested as well – please let the front desk know if you prefer your care team is wearing masks for your visit.
Thanks!
Pharmacy changes with medication shortages
There has been an increase in medication shortages at pharmacies recently. With certain medications, parents and patients are able to get the medication transferred directly by the pharmacist to a different location if the pharmacy is the same company (such as a Walgreens to a Walgreens). This will often be the fastest and easiest solution if the second pharmacy is within reasonable distance. All medication prescription details can be found on MyChart if the pharmacist has questions.
If the medication needs to be substituted (like a change in the type of antibiotic), or if you are requiring a pharmacy change (like Walgreens to Safeway), you may need to speak with the pharmacist.
If a pharmacy (like Walgreens) is out of a medication at all nearby locations, and you need to transfer it to a different pharmacy company (like Safeway or Walmart), please call nearby pharmacies to ask if they have your medication available. If they do, that pharmacy can initiate the transfer for you. This saves you a call to our office.
If a pharmacy is out of a medication, and you would like to use that pharmacy still, please ask them if they have similar medications in stock and what the name and strength is, our office will need this information to place a new order.
If a medication is not covered or has a high out-of-pocket cost, you will need to reach out to your insurance company to see what similar medications are preferred under your specific plan. Once you have the preferred medication information, please leave a message with our office with this information.
Our office may not always be able to change the medication if the replacement options will not work for the prescribed reason.
If you have additional concerns or questions and would like to speak with a nurse, please call the office. Thank you!