COPC - Step by Step Pediatrics

07/18/2025

Great quote from the Big Little Feelings Podcast. Kids respond best to fewer words and more action. Do not feel that you have to give lengthy explanations to why you are doing what you are doing. Short and sweet is best. Also, make sure that you are choosing consequences that are reasonable and that you are not afraid to pull the trigger on. If you say, "go to bed or you loose your phone for a year." The kids will know you unlikely to carry through.

07/16/2025

Don't forget to register BEFORE the price increase! You won't want to miss this great price.
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🏃‍♂️Run 4 The Health Of It- September 1, 2025
📍Westerville Sports Complex
Walk or run for ONLY $25!!!
💠4-Mile
💠2-Mile
💠Kid's Fun Run (FREE)

07/16/2025

A new study of more than 1 million people published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine “found no link between aluminum in vaccines and an increased risk of 50 chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and autism."

07/15/2025

Great article on building healthy emotional development. Worth the read. The article discusses creating predictable routines, making time for play, using positive parenting techniques, planning family meals, making time to listen, and providing options for calm down techniques. Check it out!

Parents and caregivers have powerful tools to help their children thrive, no matter what life throws their way. Here are 4 key building blocks of healthy mental and emotional development in children, and tips to support them in your family's everyday routines.

07/11/2025

Loud sounds, bright lights, and crowds can be overwhelming. The Ohio State Fair is hosting a sensory friendly morning on July 24th.

CAP4Kids (The Children’s Advocacy Project) was developed in 2005 as a way for healthcare providers, social workers, child advocates and parents and teens to find reliable, up-to-date information on community resources to help improve and enhance the lives of children and families. Each CAP4Kids ci...

07/09/2025

Don't miss the Columbus Book Festival this Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13 at Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave.), Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Park. It’s a free, two-day festival for book lovers featuring 200+ local and national authors.

07/08/2025

CANCER, The Big “C”, the illness that shall not be named. Cancer is one of the top 5 leading causes of death in all age groups. What if we had a vaccine to prevent cancer? Would you get it? Would it matter what type of cancer? Well, we do. It is the HPV vaccine and it is amazingly effective at preventing cervical cancer. Every year, over half a million women develop cervical cancer, and more than 300,000 die from the disease. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide.

This is the final Tuesday in our series of why we get vaccinated. We end with the Human Papilloma Virus – the cause of Cervical Cancer. HPV also causes ge***al warts and is responsible for a large share of other cancers, including a**l cancer, pe**le cancer, vulval cancer, vaginal cancer, and some head and neck cancers.

The virus is passed by skin to skin contact, mostly through sexual contact. It is estimated that 80% of people will be exposed to HPV in their lifetime. If your body is unable to clear the infection, then you may develop cancer. The cancer from HPV may take 20 years to develop after initial infection.

The HPV vaccine was first introduced in 2006 and is effective against the major types of HPV that cause cancer. Over 135 million doses have been given. The HPV vaccine has been studied in large-scale randomized controlled trials. It is highly effective, reducing the risk pre-cancerous cell changes that cause cervical cancer by 99%. Long term HPV vaccine studies in the UK have found zero cases of cervical cancer among women who were vaccinated before the age of 14. There has been a 62% drop in cervical cancer deaths over the last decade due to HPV vaccination. There is no association with any long term consequences including autoimmune syndromes or problems with fertility.

HPV vaccines are most effective when given early — before people are exposed to the virus. Vaccination coverage has been stalled at about 76% for the past decade due to misinformation and false stories about adverse reactions to the vaccine. We actually have the potential to eliminate cervical cancer completely if we can get herd immunity with 90% - 95% vaccine coverage. Eliminate cancer . . . . . . shouldn’t that be a worthwhile goal?

07/07/2025

What comes to mind with the word Nimbus? Fluffy clouds? Harry Potter playing Quidditch? Razor Blades? Wait, what? Well the newest COVID variant Omicron NB.1.8.1 or Nimbus is causing a much more severe sore throat than previous versions. Most people describe it as swallowing razor blades or glass. This version is more contagious, but not more dangerous. Previous vaccines continue to work well for this variant. Recommendations have not changed on isolation. You need to be fever free for 24 hours and symptoms improving to no longer be contagious. For most people, supportive care with Motrin, lots of fluids, popsicles are all that is required for recovery. We are still seeing strep throat, so if you are concerned your child may have strep, we should check in the office with a rapid test.

The COVID-19 Nimbus variant is on the rise in the U.S. as many report a painful symptom known as "razor blade throat." If you have a severe sore throat, it's important to rule out strep throat to avoid severe complications. COVID-19 precautions like masking and vaccination remain important.

07/04/2025

HOLIDAY CLOSURE:
In recognition of Independence Day, all COPC practices and services will be closed on Friday, July 4.

07/03/2025

HOLIDAY HOURS THIS WEEK:
Thursday, July 3rd: office closes at 4:00 pm
Friday, July 4th: office is closed

*MyChart messages submitted after 4:00 pm today (7/3) will be answered on Monday.

*PSC is open tonight for acute ill symptoms (by appointment only). Scheduling for the PSC is now available on MyChart.

The staff at Step by Step Pediatrics wishes you and your family a fun and safe holiday! 🤗

07/02/2025

Hand - Foot - Mouth cases have been on the rise this week in the office. It is our classic, summer time, high fever virus. Fever can go up to 103 to 104 and kids are generally miserable. Sores and ulcerations occur in the throat and in the mouth, red bumps and ulcerations occur on the palms of hands and soles of feet, but can progress up the legs and can also be pretty extensive on their backside. There is no specific treatment above supportive care. Motrin for high fever and sore throat pain. Lots of fluids and popsicles. Kids may not want to eat a lot due to the sore throat, but they have to keep drinking to avoid dehydration. The illness is contagious until they are fever free for 24 hours and the rash is starting to resolve.