Haley Vo, MD

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Haley Vo, MD

Physician at Direct Care Clinic of NWA

16/09/2025

Don’t consider this medical advice. But do take your favorite oral antihistamine, nasal steroid, and nasal antihistamine. Sam’s is the cheapest place to buy them that I’ve found. You’re welcome.

03/03/2025

Came back from vacation to this. I challenge you to a duel, Joel Fankhauser, MD.

06/02/2025

Dear NWA:

$30 for a 5 pack at Sam’s. You’re welcome.

Love,

Dr. Vo

28/01/2025

Your turn! This week we're asking you. If you could tell your P*P one thing that would make your doctor/patient relationship more positive or productive, what would it be?

13/01/2025

The dreaded cold. It may start with a runny nose, or maybe a cough, or even a fever. Here are a few things to keep in mind when your child is sick.

Most coughs are caused by a viral illness
There are hundreds of viruses that can cause cough, fever, and congestion. Some of them, such as influenza, COVID, and RSV, we can test for. Some we cannot. None of them improve with antibiotics.

The effects of a virus can last 10-14 days
The worst part of the virus likely won’t last that long. But it is not uncommon for children to have 2-3 days of cough/congestion, another few of fever, and then after the fever resolves a lingering cough can last a for a week or longer.

It seems like toddlers are always sick…because they are
The average toddler has 10-12 viral illnesses a year. Most of those are concentrated in the winter months. Just as they get over one, the next one begins.

Rashes are common with viral illness
Generally speaking, a small rash comprised of pink spots that turn skin tone when pressed with a finger is not concerning. These often accompany viral illness.

So is vomiting
I used to have an attending (the boss doctor during training!) that always said, “Kids just puke.” He’s not wrong.

Kids with a cold may not want to eat
It’s ok for your child with a cold to not eat solid food for a few days. What they do have to do is drink enough to urinate at least every 4-6 hours. When kids are sick, they are allowed to drink anything that they are willing to drink, even things that are usually limited such as soda, juice, slushies, or popsicles.

Cough medications really aren’t that safe in children under 4
I know it’s hard when your child has a cold and no one is getting any sleep. But really, cough medication is not safe or helpful. Many studies have found that ½ teaspoonful of honey every few hours is just as helpful as over the counter cough medications. It is important to remember that children under one year of age shouldn’t have honey because of the risk of botulism!

I wish I could make colds go away faster. Until I figure out how, enjoy a few days of extra cuddles and naps with your little.

08/01/2025

Dear parents of teens who wait for the bus wearing only hoodies:

I see you. I’m fighting this fight in my house too. I don’t know why coats are scary. It’s literally 19 degrees outside. You’re a good mom, even when teenagers are weird. Solidarity.

Love,

Dr. Vo

30/12/2024

It's almost here! The calendar is about to change. Many people start a New Year with resolutions. In the medical world, we call this lifestyle change.

Typically, there are 4 parts of lifestyle change:

First: Precontemplation. This means you're not ready to make a change yet. Not even thinking about it. This can look something like "I hate exercise. I don't want to be sweaty."

Second: Contemplation. The place where you realize a change might be best. For instance, if you start thinking about if you might feel better with some exercise, you may be in the contemplation stage.

Third: Preparation. Hello New Year's Resolutions! You pick a date that you're going to start exercising. Maybe you buy some new walking shoes.

Fourth: Action. January 1st arrives, and you happily lace up your shoes and go for a walk.

Here's to starting a healthy New Year! Remember, healthy habits take between 2 and 3 months to stick. It's normal to not be successful on your first try of a new habit. Keep trying! Change happens in small steps over a long time.

25/12/2024

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas!

23/12/2024

In the world of medicine, Christmas falls right in the middle of respiratory virus season. Though there are many current circulating viruses, as well as an uptick in a bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae, over the last week the state of Arkansas has experienced a rise in influenza.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a common respiratory virus in the winter. Typically influenza starts abruptly, as in you can remember that you started feeling terrible at 4pm on Tuesday. It usually starts with high fever, cough, body aches, and headaches all about the same time. There may be some accompanying congestion and gastrointestinal symptoms, but these are less common than the above.

Influenza usually lasts for 5-7 days, during which time you will likely have a fever. Read that again: it's common to have a full week of fevers of 103-104, even as adults. Cough may last for a week or so following.

The most effective treatment of flu is with prevention: flu shots, washing hands, good sleep, and a healthy diet are the hallmarks of prevention. People under the age of 2 or over 65, and those with asthma or other lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, obesity, or immunosuppression may benefit from early treatment with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu. Tamiflu only decreases length of symptoms by 12-24 hours, but may decrease the risk of hospitalization. It can have some unpleasant side effects, so depending on your specific situation it may or may not be helpful. Antibiotics are not helpful in treatment of influenza.

In the case of flu, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And as always, this is not meant to be specific medical advice. Always talk to your own physician.

16/12/2024

Medical Monday!

Dogs. Some people love them, some don’t. I fall into the first category. I came across a study recently that made me smile, so I thought I’d share.

We know that kids that have a dog in the home as infants are slightly less likely to develop severe asthma and allergies. Did you know that interacting with a dog for 15-20 minutes also decreases feelings of anxiety? In this study from the Journal of Clinical Medicine, patients had less anxiety after playing with a dog than specifically after walking for the same amount of time with a physician or medical student. Interesting that they chose a physician for the comparison group. I’m hopeful it’s because physicians were around and available, and not because physicians are the opposite of man’s best friend.

I hope this study also makes you smile. On this dreary Monday, drop a pic of your best furry friend!

13/12/2024

Some nights on call look like this. Preheat to 450…numb up husband’s finger…cornbread in the oven…fix finger before timer goes off…dinner.

10/12/2024

Happy Tuesday! Ask us questions!

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+14792684504

Website

http://directcarenwa.com/

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