Pediatric & Adolescent Center, SC

10/19/2022

We have started seeing influenza!!! Now that it is October and the temperatures are dropping outside, influenza will be starting to circulate through the population. If you have not received your flu vaccine yet, now is the time!!!

03/24/2022

Hi all...we have begun seeing an uptick in cases of influenza this past week. We have had 12 positive cases of influenza A. If your child is feeling ill (fever, cough, runny nose) and is within the first 72 hours of symptoms, consider bringing them in to get tested for the flu. If within the first 72 hours, there is a medicine that can be prescribed to minimize symptoms of the flu.

And as always, remember to wash your hands frequently. Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. And STAY HOME if you have ANY respiratory symptoms, even if you test negative for Covid-19 as ALL viral infections are just as contagious.

Stay healthy!!!

01/13/2022

Many of you are using over the counter antigen Covid tests and have asked about the validity of those tests. Those tests are ONLY accurate if one already has symptoms (i.e. a runny nose). There are recent studies that show these rapid antigen tests are not detecting the Omicron variant in the first three days of infection, which may lead to inadvertent spread of the virus.

The CDC also just sent out an urgent notice to physicians regarding the invalidity (false results) of LuSys Labs OTC rapid Covid antigen tests and are urging patients not to use those tests.

Please call the office if you have any questions or want your children tested. We can get your children tested with the most accurate tests available, either in our office or the lab.

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

01/07/2022

In an attempt to alleviate some confusion regarding the Covid situation....

There is currently a severe shortage of supplies to test and treat individuals for Covid. Per today's CDC guidelines, it is only recommended for anyone to get tested IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS. If one is merely exposed to someone at school/work, AND is double vaccinated and/or boostered, AND not experiencing any symptoms related to Covid, no test is required and no quarantine is necessary. If one is NOT double vaccinated AND NOT boostered, and closely exposed but no symptoms, a 10 day quarantine is still recommended. Any symptoms in ANY individual, vaccinated or not vaccinated, please stay at home until symptoms resolve.

The CDC has shortened the quarantine time for fully vaccinated individuals who experience symptoms from 10 to 5 days, however, many of the schools are still requiring the 10 day quarantine. You can check with your school district for their specific guidelines.

In our office, we have both a rapid Immunoassay test that is 99% accurate and results are known within 30 minutes and a PCR machine with a 99% accuracy with results known within 1 hour. We have very limited supplies to test our patients and will only test those with symptoms, not just "exposure." All hospital systems in the Chicagoland area are following the same guidelines and reserving testing for sick patients only.

We hope this helps to clarify some of the confusion regarding these issues.

If you or your children have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 and/or boostered, we HIGHLY recommend you all do so. The vaccines are safe and effective at preventing SEVERE infection, hospitalization and even mortality. In our office, we have vaccines for the children 5 through 11 years of age. The CDC has just approved the booster for kids 12 years and older.

Finally, do not forget about the influenza vaccine. If you or your children have not been vaccinated against the "flu," please consider making that appointment soon. It is not too late to receive a flu vaccine.

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

11/27/2021

As it is almost December, do not forget to get your child vaccinated against the flu before the flu season gets into full swing.

Also, if your child is between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, we can vaccinate your child against Covid.

Call the office with any questions. Stay safe and healthy!!!

11/12/2021

We have received our Covid vaccines and are starting to accept appointments for Monday and beyond. Please visit our website (www.pediatric-adolescent-center-sc.com) for more details and when ready, call the office to set up your appointment.

Dr. Charles Slavik and Dr. Michael Slavik are a father and son pediatric medical team who offer the traditional feel of what medical homes used to be.  As a two-physician practice, this allows for the development of a closer relationship between the families and the physicians.   

11/08/2021

As of November 8, our sources down in Springfield let us know that the next shipments of vaccines are being sent out today and tomorrow. We should be receiving our allotment in the next 2-3 days. We will send updates as we receive the vaccines and then will start setting up appointments. Thank you all for your patience.

11/03/2021

As an update, yesterday the CDC approved the covid vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 years of age. They have begun shipping vaccines out to all participating physicians' offices. We expect our initial allotment within the next several days. As soon as we receive them, we will start booking appointments. It is anticipated that our earliest appointments to be made will be next Tuesday November 9. Please check back here or our website (www.pediatric-adolescent-center-sc.com) for further updates.

Dr. Charles Slavik and Dr. Michael Slavik are a father and son pediatric medical team who offer the traditional feel of what medical homes used to be.  As a two-physician practice, this allows for the development of a closer relationship between the families and the physicians.   

09/02/2021

As the summer is winding down, it's time to start thinking about getting influenza (flu) shots. As always, we recommend waiting until October to begin receiving your vaccination to maximize coverage during the influenza season.

In regards to timing of receiving your Covid vaccine and flu vaccines...current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (and the CDC) are that they may be administered at the same time (amended from the two week lag time). Please call the office with any questions.

Stay healthy!

09/18/2020

It's almost flu season again! If you have not received your flu vaccine yet....please wait until October or November. As the vaccine only lasts UP TO 4 - 6 months, we recommend waiting until October or November. That way, when the main flu season hits in December through April, you will be covered throughout the influenza season.

Remember to wash those hands, keep your hands away from your face and stay home, if you or your children are sick. Stay safe everyone!

05/01/2020

****Face mask PSA****

Here in Illinois, now that it is mandatory for everyone to wear a face mask (or any other face covering) when inside any store/restaurant or outside where one cannot maintain a six foot distance from others, we thought it might be a good idea to go over a few things.

1) After placing the face mask on your face, DO NOT TOUCH IT AGAIN (the mask or your face). If you do, you MUST either wash your hands or use hand sanitizer...EVERY TIME you touch or readjust the mask. As you breathe, you create moisture on the mask. When you touch or readjust the mask, you transfer moisture to your hand. EVERYTHING you touch from that point on, you will spread any viruses (including Covid-19) to EACH OBJECT YOU TOUCH AFTER TOUCHING YOUR MASK. That is why we recommend you carry a pocket size container of hand sanitizer when outside home, and soap and water are not readily accessible.

2) Make sure the mask covers your mouth AND nose. It does no good to wear the mask over your mouth and not your nose. You still breathe through your nose even when your mouth is covered.

3) If you do not have an actual mask, any covering will do. You can use a scarf, bandana, or any other homemade covering. Just make sure there are no holes in the covering (i.e. a ski mask with small breathable mouth holes or opening for the nose). Again, any holes in the mask will make using a mask a moot point.

Remember, if you have any questions, please call your physician. We are all here for our patients.

Stay safe and healthy!!!

03/19/2020

Since our last post on March 3, things have changed dramatically....

1) What did we know then?

- Covid-19 is a coronavirus. Traditionally, coronaviruses are nothing more than a "cold" virus. Occasionally, mutant strains emerge, such as MERS, SARS and now, Covid-19.

- the number of those infected were low

- those more severely affected, just like the flu, were the elderly (over 65) and those who had compromised immunity. And yes, sometimes people not in those categories were affected, as well. But, the vast majority did fit in that category

- greater than 95% of those affected recovered

- good hygiene practices were the best defense

2) What do we know now?

- this virus can and has mutated faster than most other viruses

- this virus can be more severe than a standard flu or cold virus

- unlike other common viruses, in which the more common pulmonary (lung) symptoms may be pneumonia, Covid-19 can cause pulmonary fibrosis (scarring). This scarring does not allow the lung to function properly and often these are the patients who require the help of a ventilator.

- the virus is about twice as contagious than the flu virus

- As of 3/17/2020, per the CDC website, there were a total of 7038 cases reported in the US with 97 deaths (1.4%). These numbers are updated every weekday by noon reflecting the numbers reported by 4pm the day before.

3) What is being done?

- research into medications and vaccines to treat and prevent disease is being actively pursued

- testing is being done, mainly on people with symptoms and close contacts of those who test positive for the virus. Although it would be nice to test EVERYONE, we only have a finite number of test kits and reagent available. That is why we do not test everyone with mild symptoms. We need these test kits for those who are more severely affected by the virus. Things are being done to improve the number of test kits available, however.

EXPECT THE NUMBER OF CASES TO INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY!!! Obviously, the more we test, the more positives we will find. That should not be a cause for panic. Remember, there are reports that greater than 80-90% of people who contract this virus have either mild or NO SYMPTOMS. The more number of positive cases (or the denominator) equals a lower rate of severe cases/death rates. Let me explain. If the number of severe cases and deaths (the numerator) slows down due to social distancing and the denominator increases, the percentage of "bad" cases actually goes down. Even one death or bad outcome from this virus was too many, but hopefully, we can keep these numbers down as low as possible.

- social distancing...this truly is very important. Boring, but extremely important. As everyone has heard, by containing the virus for a period of time, it will lessen the burden on the medical centers to treat those severely affected or those with fibrosis. And don't forget, just because Covid-19 is around us, cancer and heart attacks have not taken a break. These people sometimes need ventilators too. By you all staying home, you reduce the chances of spreading the virus quicker than the medical community has the means to treat patients. You truly are staying home to save other people's lives.

Finally, DO NOT just walk in to your physician's office or emergency room. Call ahead. That way, your symptoms can be assessed and precautions can be taken so you do not spread whatever you have to others who are in the office or ER at that same time. Also, we can assess whether you or your child meets the requirements for being tested for Covid-19. At this time, physicians' offices and most ERs are not able to test for the virus. These tests are done at special "off-site" locations, again, to separate and limit exposure.

Main thing to take away...do not panic! Be concerned. Be diligent. Be optimistic. We will get through this. Just like we got through all the previous outbreaks (i.e. SARS, MERS swine flu and Ebola viruses). Things will get back to normal.

Stay healthy everyone!!!

03/03/2020

03/03/2020

In response to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19) worldwide outbreak, this is what we recommend.

1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is superior to hand sanitizer, however, if soap and water are not readily accessible, hand sanitizer is better than nothing.

2) Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue and immediately throw away that tissue in the garbage. If a tissue is not on hand, cough/sneeze into your elbow (the common "dab" maneuver).

3) Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes as this is a common entry for viruses.

4) If you are ill, STAY AT HOME! DO NOT go to work/school.

5) Get plenty of rest and fluids. As there is currently no cure or vaccine for this virus, the treatment is purely supportive.

6) If you think you may be infected with COVID 19, CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN"S OFFICE FIRST. DO NOT just show up at the office or the emergency room. There are special procedures to be followed so as to not infect EVERYONE else who is in that office or emergency room at that time.

7) DO NOT PANIC! Currently, in Illinois, there are only 5 confirmed cases in the Chicago suburban area. This means there is a VERY LOW RISK to the general public. This virus appears to be similar to other viruses, such as the influenza virus, in that the more severe cases are seen in people with underlying conditions and compromised immune systems. For example, the very young and elderly, people with chronic conditions such as heart conditions, Crohn's disease, diabetes, and asthma to name a few.

Use common sense. If you are ill, stay at home. Do not take a fever reducer and think it is alright to be around other people. You will spread ANY virus that way. Stay home, get rest and fluids. Get well. You do not do any good working or going to school while you are ill.

Remember, call your physician with ANY questions.

For up to date info on COVID 19 please visit the CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/COVID19

11/14/2019

We have begun seeing positive cases of influenza (the flu) this week. If you have not received your flu vaccination yet, it is NOT too late! Stay healthy out there!

08/24/2019

As we are coming into cold and flu season, remember to get your influenza (flu) shot. However, DO NOT get the shot until October or November. Getting vaccinated too early will leave you susceptible during the latter portion of the flu season.

10/02/2018

It's October! Don't forget to get vaccinated against the flu!!!