Category: Medical News

Curvature of the spine (or scoliosis) may sound like a scary diagnosis, but proper treatment enables children with the condition to lead normal, active lives.

Small curves are a normal part of the spine and not cause for concern, according to Dr. Daniel Green, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. But when the curve exceeds a certain range, children require medical help.

Scoliosis tends to run in families, but most often the cause is not known. However, studies show that scoliosis is not caused by poor posture, the use of backpacks, or any type of exercise. It affects girls 10 times more often than boys.

Scoliosis is often first detected during a routine visit to the child’s doctor or during a school screening. The development of scoliosis is usually gradual and painless. A curve can develop without a parent or child knowing it, until it becomes more obvious.

Signs of scoliosis

*  One shoulder appears higher than the other.

*  The waist appears uneven.

*  One hip looks higher than the other.

*  The ribs appear to stick out on one side.

*  The child seems to be leaning to one side when standing.

Early diagnosis and treatment lead to a better outcome. The diagnosis is based on a physical exam and x-rays. A curve of greater than 10 degrees on an x-ray is considered to be scoliosis.

For patients with smaller curves, the doctor may recommend just watching the condition. For bigger curves, the best treatment may be a brace to correct the condition. Sometimes surgery may be needed.

Each August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) encourages all people to protect their health by being immunized against infectious diseases. This year, the National Public Health Information Coalition is coordinating NIAM activities and along with CDC is focusing on four weekly themes:

A Healthy Start

If you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, get vaccines as advised by your health care provider. These include vaccines for flu and whooping cough.

Today’s childhood vaccines protect against 14 serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. Most childhood vaccines are given during a baby’s first 2 years. That’s why it feels like so many vaccines so soon. Learn which vaccines a child needs from birth to age 6 atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html.

Back to School

Schools are highly prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases because students can easily transmit illnesses to one another as a result of poor hand washing, uncovered coughs and dense populations. Check out the immunization schedule for all recommended vaccines for ages 7 to 18 atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/preteen-teen.htm.

Off to the Future

Because some diseases can spread quickly in settings like college dorms and classrooms, many colleges and universities have vaccine requirements for school entry. College-age students should get vaccines not yet received in childhood and follow the adult vaccine schedule, as needed.

Not Just for Kids

Did you know that adults age 19 and older need a Tdap vaccine for whooping cough if they did not get it as a teen? Adults should also get vaccines for: tetanus / diphtheria every 10 years, shingles at age 60 or older, and pneumonia at age 65. See CDC’s adult vaccine schedule for these and other vaccines atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf.

Seasonal flu is caused by a virus that can fly through the air, hitch a ride on a handshake, hug or kiss, and is extremely good at infecting people and making them sick.

It can spread by person-to-person contact or it can land on a surface, such as a doorknob, handrail, or elevator button, only to be picked up by the next unsuspecting person to come along. Maybe even you.

The best way to avoid the flu this year is to get the widely available flu vaccination from your family doctor, pharmacy, or one of the many flu vaccine clinics sponsored by local health departments, says Dr. Katharine Garnier, a family physician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Still, some people routinely avoid this annual shot. For those who are looking for a reason not to get inoculated, Dr. Garnier (humorously) gives her top 10 unwise reasons not to get a flu shot this year:

1. I’m feeling incredibly lucky this year.

2. The vaccine is inexpensive so it probably doesn’t work.

3. I’m not afraid of body aches … or headaches … or sore throats … or dangerously high fevers … and I never get sick!

4. I like the idea of having a real reason to call in sick for work.

5. That cute little paper mask over my nose and mouth is a trendy fashion statement.

6. Getting really, really sick is a great way to lose a few pounds without dieting.

7. I’m not planning to leave my house, or let anyone in, for the next six months anyway.

8. I’m anxious to find out if my insurance company really will cover a hospital stay.

9. I went to the county fair and didn’t get swine flu, so I must have a natural immunity.

10. Getting sick with the flu will give me a reason to visit relatives I don’t really like so that I can share the virus with them!

Protect yourself and others. Get a flu shot.

As summer comes to a close, it’s time to think about going back to school. One of the most important things you can do for your child’s health is to make sure he or she is up-to-date on vaccines, which can protect against many dangerous diseases.

Vaccine requirements

Many states require that kids have certain vaccines (shots or immunizations) before they can come to school. The best way to ensure your child is fully protected is to talk to your child’s doctor. You can also find information about vaccines on the Centers for Disease Control website atwww.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Some diseases, such as mumps and polio, have become very rare thanks to vaccines. But outbreaks of some diseases are still happening, and immunization is the best way to protect your child from a serious illness. For instance, 2014 had a record number of measles cases and many outbreaks of whooping cough have been occurring in schools across the U.S.

Start vaccines on time

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers get a number of vaccines early in life to help protect them from 14 life-threatening illnesses. This includes measles, mumps, whooping cough and more, which used to be common – and very dangerous – for young children.

But vaccines aren’t just for little ones. As children get older, they may need “boosters” to help protect them as the first vaccine begins to wear off. And, certain vaccines like the flu shot need to be given every year for protection.

Vaccines protect everyone

When disease outbreaks happen, a vaccinated person is much less likely to get sick. If they do get it, they usually get a much milder case.

Getting all vaccines on time means you are protecting your own child and others around them. This is known as “herd immunity.” When 90 to 95 percent of people in a community are vaccinated, it’s almost impossible for these dangerous diseases to spread. But when vaccine rates go below 90 percent, diseases can take hold and spread. This weakens the immunity of an entire community.

If you’re not sure if your child needs vaccines, call your child’s doctor today and beat the back-to-school rush. Catch-up vaccines can be given, if needed, even if your child missed some shots before.

Concerned about vaccines?

The U.S. supply of vaccines is extremely safe and effective. When reading something about vaccines, be sure the information comes from a credible source with data to prove the statements. Many false claims have been made about vaccines. Some of these false claims can be found on the Internet even after they’ve been proven wrong. If you have questions, ask your child’s doctor or visithttps://ivaccinate.org

to get answers to many common concerns.