Gem City Primary Care

09/25/2025

People used to blame cleft lip on the mother seeing a rabbit while pregnant. Rabbits are pretty common after all. We now know that cleft lip and palate is a common failure of development that is related to how cells fold during early fetal development. This assertion is just as rediculous as the new one blaming Tylenol use during pregnancy for autism. Autism is a complex and wide ranging condition that is not caused by one single thing. Real scientific answers are a little harder to come by than eenie meenie minie moe.

09/25/2025

Sad fact: "Fi****ms overtook auto accidents as the leading cause of death in children" in 2020. Gun violence is a public health crisis and just as preventable as Chicken Pox.

(NPR News) Fi****ms overtook auto accidents as the leading cause of death in children. Associated research findings from the National Library of Medicine.

09/23/2025

Science is not a whim. It is backed up by research and strong evidence.

Today’s White House event on autism was filled with dangerous claims and misleading information that sends a confusing message to parents and expecting parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals.

We know autism is complex, highly variable and increasingly linked to genetics. Individualized plans, often involving a combination of developmental, behavioral, educational and social-relational strategies, can help improve outcomes that are meaningful to individuals and families. We also need and welcome additional investments in federally funded research to better support families of autistic children.

Families who have questions about their child’s medications, autism care plans or other health care should consult with their pediatrician or health care provider.
https://bit.ly/4gBDNEc

09/21/2025

How do scientists..........science? It is not a gut feeling or belief. It is rigorous, reproducible testing and evaluation of results. Anyone can do science. Observe, ask a question, make a guess about the answer, form a way to test. Was your guess right or wrong? Then, share your results and start again.

09/18/2025

Trees reduce urban heat island effects keeping your neighborhood cooler in summer. They help with air quality and generally beautify the area. Ask for a free tree today.

🌳 Help grow Dayton’s tree canopy! The City is now accepting 2025 Street Tree Planting Requests. Eligible residents can request free street trees for the public right-of-way near their homes.

📋 Submit your request today: www.daytonohio.gov/freestreettrees
Applications close October 15th.

👉 Greener, cooler, healthier neighborhoods start with us!

09/18/2025

Meningococcal bacteria may be a fairly uncommon but often deadly cause of meningitis in teens and young adults. Highly contagious but very preventable. Vaccines at age 11 years and 16 years keep our kids safe as they go off in life to college, military, or other career. When nature tries to kill us, scientists have found ways to fight back.

09/17/2025

Doctors who trained before 2006 remember Rotavirus Season. From February to May we would see 15-20 or so kids almost daily admitted to the hospital for dehydration from one little, now preventable, virus. Rotavirus can cause vomiting and diarrhea up to 15 times per day and is associated with the surgical emergency called intussusception. This is where the intestine folds in on itself like a telescope and cuts off its own blood supply. While only lasting a few days, it packs a big punch when it comes to causing dehydration and sometimes more serious illness very quickly.

09/16/2025

Hepatitis A is that "fun" virus that can be from food prepared with unclean hands. While most recover, some can become seriously ill. But who wants to chance it when there's a vaccine for that.

09/14/2025

Ear infections don't have to be a common part of growing up. Pneumococcus pneumoniae causes most ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia in kids and older adults. Sure it can be treated with antibiotics, but why wait until your child is sick, when they could have been vaccinated.

09/14/2025

The original vaccine against cancer, the Hepatitis B vaccine has been around so long many have never known anyone to get the disease. Your doctor probably has seen patients with this though. Those who don't fight off the virus develop chronic Hepatitis B and will usually go on to have liver failure from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Babies often contracted it from mothers during birth. Some treatments exist but never getting sick is definitely the better option.

09/12/2025

What we aim to prevent.

09/12/2025

Oh the places it can go.... Varicella, commonly known as Chicken Pox, was a common childhood illness until the vaccine became widely available in the late 20th century. Beyond the itchy skin lesions that could scar or get super infections, this crafty virus can cause blindness, pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis with organ failure. Once in the body, it can hang out in the spinal cord until it decides to reactivate in the form of Shingles. The good 'ol days weren't always that good.