Sandy Springs Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!

COVID Testing for Children (Source: www.healthychildren.org) Should My Child Be Tested for COVID? ... According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if you are concerned that your child has been exposed to COVID-19 or is exhibiting symptoms of COVID, your best resource is your child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician can help you decide when, and if, your child should be tested. If tested, your child’s pediatrician can also help inform and guide you on next steps, based on the results. Your pediatrician is your best resource for all your questions and concerns about COVID-19 and your child. When Should My Child Be Tested for COVID? My child is experiencing symptoms. My child is scheduled to have a medical procedure or surgery. My child has been exposed and is participating in sports. My child has been exposed at school. My child has been exposed at work. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, wait at least 5 days after exposure to be tested, unless experiencing symptoms. If experiencing symptoms, call your pediatrician now. For more information on when testing may be advised, visit www.healthychildren.org or call your pediatrician at 404-252-4611. (Source: www. healthychildren.org) Does My Child Have COVID-19? Sandy Springs Pediatrics is now providing Covid-19 testing using either Abbott ID NOW (depending on supply) or send out to labs. You should receive results, if Abbott test, within 15 minutes, send out 2 -3 days. Your physician will determine which test your child should have. If your child is showing symptoms or has recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19, call your pediatrician now to determine whether testing is needed. After your child is tested, the pediatrician will explain the results and guide you through next steps. *These tests will not tell you if your child had COVID-19 in the past. What kind of COVID-19 Testing is Available for Children? According to the AAP, there are two types of COVID-19 tests that are being used for childrena diagnostic test to determine if your child has the virus and an antibody test to determine if your child had the virus at some point in the past. Your child’s pediatrician can help you better understand what each test can and cannot do, and whether or not your child needs to be tested. If you have questions about whether or not your child needs to be tested, call 404-252-4611 to speak with us.

Traveling Safely During the Pandemic To Clean or Not to Clean? Keeping My Child’s Car Seat Free from COVID While you may be cleaning other parts of your car with a disinfecting wipe to help prevent the spread of COVID, cleaning car seats and seat belts is different. A disinfecting chemical may cause damage to the seat belts leading to the car seat or seat belts, resulting in the seat belt failing during an car crash. Because car seats, booster seats and seat belts cannot b...e disinfected, the AAP recommends using a mild detergent and water. Check the owner’s manual to find out which cleaning products to use. For more information on travel safety during the pandemic, visit https://www.healthychildren.org//Travel-Safety-During-the- Tips on how to keep my child’s car seat safe after exposure to COVID-19 If someone has tested positive for COVID, or has been exposed, and has been in your car, follow these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org//Travel-Safety-During-the- Buses, Trains and AirplanesHow to Stay Safe When Using Mass or Public Transportation This type of transportation usually includes many passengers in smaller areas. This provides an opportunity for COVID-19 to spread easily and quickly. The CDC recommends that if you must use transportation such as those listed above, you should try to remain at a safe social distant as much as possible. You and your family should wear face coverings and use hand sanitizer frequently throughout your trip. When you arrive at your destination you should wash your hands and consider changing into clean clothes. Holiday Travel 2020 Due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States and the increased risk of exposure to COVID during travel, the CDC has specifically asked us not to travel during the holidays. If you do decide to travel, please follow these guidelines listed below: Visit www.cdc.gov//2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html to learn how to protect you and your family, in detail, if traveling during this holiday season.

Know the Difference! Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but caused by different viruses. Because they can be similar it may be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Learn more how to protect you and your family from both by visiting www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm#table. Key Differences between the Flu and COVID-19... While there are some similarities between the flu and COVID-19 there are also some key differences. COVID-19 appears to spread more easily than the flu and can take longer for symptoms to appear. One very important difference is that there is a vaccine to protect against the flu which is the best way to prevent your children from getting the flu. If you have not scheduled your child for a flu vaccine, now is the time. Call today to schedule an appointment to have your child vaccinated against the flu. Common Symptoms that Flu and COVID-19 Share Because the flu and COVID-19 are both respiratory illnesses caused by viruses, they can have similar symptoms. The can include: Fever Cough Fatigue (tiredness) Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Shortness of breath or difficulty Muscle pain or aches Headache Vomiting Diarrhea If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms and you or your family have been exposed to anyone with either the flu or COVID-19, call your pediatrician to help determine whether or not your child has either illness. According to the CDC and the AAP, the best way to prevent your children from getting the flu is to have them vaccinated, and the best way to prevent your children from getting COVID-19 is for them to wear a mask (over the age of two), practice social distancing and practice good hand hygiene. For more information on the similarities and differences between the flu and COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm#table. COVID-19 Symptoms and the Loss of Taste and/or Smell While there are many similarities between the flu and COVID-19, the one that is the most different for COVID-19, is the loss of taste and/or smell. According to the CDC, the most common symptom for children with COVID-19 is a cough, with or without fever. Other more common symptoms in children with COVID-19 are headache, body aches, chest pain, diarrhea and vomiting. If your child is experiencing any or all of these symptoms, call your pediatrician to assess and diagnose your child’s symptoms. According to the CDC, the risk for healthy children is higher for flu compared to COVID-19, but infants and children with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for both illnesses.

Hours for Thanksgiving- Wednesday 8:30 - 5:15 Thursday closed Friday 8:30 - noon

Still no power or phones. Hoping for noon opening now.

Now hoping for a noon opening. Still are unsure of when we will have phones and power.

The power is out at the office. At this time we do not have an estimated time for when will be back on. Will keep you posted. If you need a physician call the answering service at (770) 985-7886.

https://www.cdc.gov//2019/daily-life-coping/holidays.html Safe Halloween activites

We have received flu vaccine. Will start taking appointments next week. Please note to ensure social distancing we will not allow more than two children and a parent to come in together. Everyone over the age of 2 years must wear a mask. You will call when you arrive and be checked in over the phone and will be called when we are ready to put you in a room.

https://www.strong4life.com//10-healthy-breakfast-ideas-fo

https://www.strong4life.com//a-letter-to-parents-of-teens-

https://www.cdc.gov//if-you-are-s/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov//2019-/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE FOR YOUR CHILD DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC Many of our families are wrestling with the decision of whether or not to send their children and teens back to in person school. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that each child should be given the opportunity for in person school. However, every family is unique and has their own set of Pro’s and Con’s to consider. Parents must review the safety guidelines the school has in place: -...Continue reading

Dr. Theriot, We hate to say goodbye but we know you will love being back home. We wish you much success and happiness in LA! You will be missed here!

Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads!

We just received a 5 Star Review from a happy patient. We strive to offer the best patient care possible each and every time. To read more reviews like this one click here: https://sspediatrics.com/reviews/

Please note you will be asked about COVID -19 exposure and/or illness concerns multiple times- at appointment scheduling, appointment confirmation, at Check-in and again when the clinical staff takes you to a room. We don’t mean to be redundant but are trying to ensure the safety of patients, parents, staff and physicians. We do have a separate protocol for patients who have been exposed or have concern of possible COVID illness to minimize risk to all.