Culex Wellness

Culex Wellness Culex offers a better way to pediatrics, providing comprehensive, one-stop pediatric care.

Enterovirus is spiking — headaches, dizziness, body aches & moreJust a few weeks ago we reported on unusually high rates...
09/22/2025

Enterovirus is spiking — headaches, dizziness, body aches & more

Just a few weeks ago we reported on unusually high rates of enterovirus. With the return to school, this has now reached a critical level.

This virus often feels like the flu — but is uniquely recognized by headaches, dizziness, sore throat, body aches, chills, and stomach pain.

⚠️ The concern isn’t only the virus itself, which can cause significant illness, but also the added risk of exposure to other viruses when families turn to urgent care or the ER.

At Culex Wellness Pediatrics, our role isn’t to “cure” every illness in the office. Instead, we:
👉 Help families navigate the course of illness.
👉 Manage symptoms so children are as comfortable as possible.
👉 Guide parents on when to seek further care — and when it’s safe to provide comfort at home.

Most importantly, we encourage families to reach out early, before illness peaks and before the ER feels like the only option.

Your child’s care should be personalized, proactive, and safe. 💙

📞 Call us if your child develops these symptoms — we’ll help you make the right plan for your family.

🚨 Community Health Update 🚨Over the past month, we’ve seen unusually high cases of Enterovirus in our community — and wi...
09/10/2025

🚨 Community Health Update 🚨

Over the past month, we’ve seen unusually high cases of Enterovirus in our community — and with the start of school, it’s spreading even faster.

💥 What makes it different?

Feels a lot like the flu: exhaustion, body aches, sore throat

But many families report intense headaches and dizziness — the dizziness in particular is not common with most other viruses, making this a red flag we’ve noticed often.

Unfortunately, Enterovirus isn’t the only virus circulating right now. We’re also seeing:

Parainfluenza → notorious for croup and respiratory infections

Metapneumovirus → can cause serious lung infections, especially risky for children with asthma

👉 Why this matters
The best care isn’t about running random viral tests. Treatment depends on your child’s individual history and predispositions. This is where having an established relationship with your primary care provider makes all the difference.

⚠️ While urgent care may seem convenient, families often tell us they feel dissatisfied with the “one size fits all” approach — and sometimes even leave at risk of catching another virus in the waiting room.

✨ At Culex Wellness, we focus on personalized, whole-child care — because every child is unique, and every illness should be managed with that in mind.

🚨 Health Alert for Families: COVID Cases Rising in Kids & Parents!Over the past week, we’re seeing a sharp increase in C...
07/06/2025

🚨 Health Alert for Families: COVID Cases Rising in Kids & Parents!

Over the past week, we’re seeing a sharp increase in COVID cases among children and their parents, especially impacting sensitive kids who are more prone to lower airway issues.

💨 Symptoms we’re seeing include:
Severe coughing spasms
Thick phlegm
Sore throats so bad kids can’t swallow well
Significant congestion

🔎 What you should do:
✔️ Monitor your child for difficulty breathing, persistent wheezing, or inability to drink fluids—seek care immediately if these occur.
✔️ Keep children hydrated and use fever reducers if needed.
✔️ Isolate sick family members and wear masks at home if others are vulnerable.
✔️ Contact your pediatrician if your child is struggling to clear phlegm or has worsening symptoms.

🛡️ Stay proactive: frequent handwashing, avoid crowded indoor gatherings, and keep up with recommended vaccinations.

We Culex Wellness are here to support your family—don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

🎉VIRAL ILLNESS BINGO: We Have a Winner! 🎉If your family’s had a rough run lately, you’re not alone — this week alone, we...
06/13/2025

🎉VIRAL ILLNESS BINGO: We Have a Winner! 🎉

If your family’s had a rough run lately, you’re not alone — this week alone, we’ve confirmed Enterovirus, Parainfluenza, AND Metapneumovirus in the office. Yes, we’re apparently collecting the whole set. 🦠🧃💨

🟢 Enterovirus – Sneaky little thing that can bring on fever, rash, and some nasty GI symptoms. Watch out for vomiting or diarrhea that can lead to dehydration, especially in the younger kiddos!

🔵 Parainfluenza – Despite the name, it’s not the flu, but it is the usual suspect behind croup (that barking cough you can hear from down the hall) and other upper respiratory drama. Hello, late-night steamy bathroom sessions!

🟣 Metapneumovirus – Say that five times fast. This one loves to mess with kids who already have sensitive lungs — think wheezing, cough, and trouble breathing. Asthma parents, stay on alert!

It’s a wild season out there, folks — and yes, some families really should get a prize for “Viral Illness Bingo.” 🏆🤧 Keep up with handwashing, hydration, and don’t hesitate to check in if symptoms linger or escalate. We're here for you!

📅 It’s May… and Influenza B is still crashing the party.Our scientists are scratching their heads and running tests, but...
05/04/2025

📅 It’s May… and Influenza B is still crashing the party.

Our scientists are scratching their heads and running tests, but so far the best theory?
🧪 The virus might be confused by the on-again, off-again tariffs.
Apparently, even viruses can’t keep up with global trade drama. 🤷‍♂️🌍

Until we figure it out, wash your hands, cover your cough, and maybe send Influenza B a calendar. 🗓️

🚨 Important Health Alert for Families! 🚨Enterovirus is making its rounds — and it’s sneaky this year! 🦠You may have hear...
04/28/2025

🚨 Important Health Alert for Families! 🚨

Enterovirus is making its rounds — and it’s sneaky this year! 🦠
You may have heard of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, but not all cases look like classic spots and rashes!
Subtle symptoms are common, and careful attention is needed to avoid misdiagnosis.

Here’s what to know:
👧🏼 Older kids may mainly have a sore throat, headache, or just feel "off" — no rash required.
👶 Babies and toddlers might show drooling (like teething), congestion, mild fever, ear pulling, or even constipation before looser stools later on.

❗ The problem?

Ear pulling or fussiness might be mistaken for an ear infection — but it’s often just referred pain from a sore throat!

Older kids may be unnecessarily swabbed for strep, risking false positives if they're strep carriers — leading to unnecessary antibiotics.

This is where personalized care matters most.
🏥 A thorough history and physical exam are key to recognizing the subtle signs of enterovirus — and avoiding misdiagnosis or overtreatment.

👉 Parents: Trust your instincts if something feels off.
👉 Providers: Dig deeper with questions about feeding, drooling, bowel changes, and subtle behavioral shifts.

✨ Bottom line:
Enterovirus can look different for everyone. Stay vigilant, ask questions, and advocate for careful evaluation when your child isn’t quite themselves.

Healthy kids start with a good history and a sharp eye! 👀❤️

🌼 Spring sniffles or sudden nosebleeds? It might be both! 👃💥Did you know seasonal allergies can make nosebleeds more lik...
04/22/2025

🌼 Spring sniffles or sudden nosebleeds? It might be both! 👃💥

Did you know seasonal allergies can make nosebleeds more likely? Allergies cause the tiny blood vessels in your child’s nose to become swollen and fragile—so even a simple nose-blow or bump can trigger bleeding.

🩹 Quick fix: Apply pressure and don’t peek! Constantly checking can break the fragile scab and restart the bleeding.

🌿 Long-term fix: Get those allergies under control! Treating the root cause helps stop the nosebleeds from coming back.

🌙 Why Quality Nighttime Sleep Is So Important for Kids 🛌💤Did you know that nighttime sleep is the single most powerful t...
04/11/2025

🌙 Why Quality Nighttime Sleep Is So Important for Kids 🛌💤

Did you know that nighttime sleep is the single most powerful tool for your child’s growth, emotional regulation, learning, and immune function? Especially for highly sensitive children, bedtime can be the hardest time of the day—just when they need rest, their brains kick into overdrive with thoughts, worries, and “what ifs.”

🧠 These busy little minds need structure, calm, and consistency to learn how to slow down. Quality nighttime sleep is different from naps—naps can actually interfere with the deep, restorative sleep that only comes at night. Think of naps like snacks; helpful in small amounts for younger kids, but not a substitute for a full, nourishing meal of nighttime rest.

💡 Try:

Setting a predictable wind-down routine

Turning off screens at least an hour before bed

Encouraging calming activities like reading or dim lighting

Avoiding late naps, especially after 3 PM

🛏️ A well-rested child is more focused, less irritable, and better equipped to take on the world. And for sensitive children, sleep is not just rest—it’s recovery from the intensity of the day.

🚨 Invasive Strep A Infections on the Rise in Maryland 🚨📍 Here's Why It Matters for Your ChildA new CDC-backed study has ...
04/09/2025

🚨 Invasive Strep A Infections on the Rise in Maryland 🚨
📍 Here's Why It Matters for Your Child

A new CDC-backed study has revealed a concerning rise in serious infections caused by invasive Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) across the U.S., including right here in Maryland. These infections can lead to life-threatening illnesses like flesh-eating disease and organ failure, and Maryland’s rates have more than tripled since 2014.

While recent spikes have been most severe in older adults and vulnerable populations, we want to remind our community that children are not immune. In fact, in 2022, pediatric cases rose enough for the CDC to issue a special alert.

🦠 The overuse of antibiotics for viral infections like colds, flu, or COVID is also making it harder to fight serious bacterial infections like Strep A. Antibiotic resistance is real — and growing — making even treatable infections harder to manage.

👉 What parents can do:

Don’t request antibiotics for viral illnesses — they won’t help and can cause harm.

Watch for symptoms of Strep A: sore throat, fever, rash, red/swollen skin, fatigue.

Seek care right away if your child seems suddenly very ill or symptoms worsen quickly.

Keep your child up to date with well visits — prevention starts with awareness.

At Culex Wellness Pediatrics, we’re here to guide you with smart, science-backed care. 💙 Let’s keep our community safe by being informed and using antibiotics only when truly needed.

Why Does Diarrhea Sometimes Linger or Keep Coming Back?When your child has diarrhea, it's more than just a stomach bug —...
04/04/2025

Why Does Diarrhea Sometimes Linger or Keep Coming Back?

When your child has diarrhea, it's more than just a stomach bug — their intestines are healing. The lining of the small intestine is covered in tiny finger-like structures called villi. These villi help break down food and absorb nutrients. But when there's an illness that causes diarrhea, these delicate villi can get sloughed off — like scraping the inside of a soft sponge.

Without villi, food can’t be properly digested. Instead, it moves into the large intestine where bacteria feast on it, creating gas, bloating, and more diarrhea. It’s a cycle that can continue if the gut doesn’t get a chance to rest.

So how do we help the gut heal?
Just like a sprained ankle needs rest, so do the intestines. That means sticking to bland, easy-to-digest foods that don’t need much breaking down — like applesauce, plain bread, bananas, white rice, and plain crackers. Avoid greasy foods, dairy, or anything too fibrous or sugary.

With the right care, those villi will regrow, digestion will normalize, and your little one will be back to their usual self.

Gentle foods. Plenty of fluids. Lots of love.
Their gut will thank you!

03/24/2025

🌙😤 The Case of the Vanishing Nighttime Cough 😮‍💨☀️

Ever drag your tired self (and your still-sick-feeling child) into the doctor’s office after a long night of nonstop coughing…
Only for the cough to mysteriously vanish the moment you walk in? 🙃

You’re not imagining things — and no, we don’t think you’re making it up.

✨ Here’s the real deal: Inflammation follows a rhythm — and it often gets worse at night.

That’s why: 🔹 Coughs rage after bedtime 😴
🔹 Tummy aches kick in just as the lights go out 🤕
🔹 Fevers spike 🌡️
🔹 Headaches throb more 🌙
🔹 Even back pain flares 🛌

Our airways, brains, and guts all have natural cycles that make symptoms worse in the dark — and better in the daylight. 🌞
(Your child isn’t being dramatic. It’s science!)

At Culex Wellness Pediatrics, we know that the absence of symptoms in the office doesn’t mean the story is over. We take the time to ask the right questions, dig into what happened overnight, and treat what you saw and experienced — not just what we can see right then and there.

👂 We listen.
💡 We understand the full picture.
🌿 We treat the whole child — day and night.

Tag a parent who’s been up at 2am with “that cough”! 😴❤️

There’s More to “Pink Eye” Than You Think!Most people hear pink eye and instantly picture red, goopy eyes that need anti...
03/24/2025

There’s More to “Pink Eye” Than You Think!

Most people hear pink eye and instantly picture red, goopy eyes that need antibiotic drops. But here’s the thing — “pink eye” (or conjunctivitis) is just a general term that means inflammation of the eye’s outer lining. It doesn’t actually tell us what’s causing the irritation.

Here are the 3 most common culprits:

1. Allergies – Think itchy, watery eyes, often with sneezing or nasal stuffiness. Both eyes are usually affected. No infection here — just a reaction to pollen, dust, or other triggers.

2. Viruses – Often starts in one eye and spreads to the other. May come with a sore throat or cold symptoms. It’s contagious, but like most colds, it usually clears up on its own.

3. Bacteria – Less common, but when it happens, you might see thicker, yellow or greenish discharge that crusts the eye shut. This is the one that might benefit from antibiotic drops — but it’s not the most frequent type.

So next time your child wakes up with red eyes, don’t rush for the drops just yet. The cause matters — and most pink eye cases clear up without antibiotics!

Address

10380 Old Columbia Road, Suite 100
Columbia, MD
21046

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14106564775

Website

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