COPC - Step by Step Pediatrics

11/14/2025

Global Health Experts Raise Concerns About New Flu Strain

NBC News (11/12) reports that as flu season begins, global health experts are increasingly worried about a new strain of the virus that popped up in June – four months after the makeup of this year’s flu vaccine. The new strain, a version of H3N2, is causing outbreaks in Canada and the U.K., where health officials are warning about the early wave that’s sending people to the hospital. The extent that H3N2 is in the US is currently unknown, as the CDC has not provided a detailed, national report on flu activity since Sept. 26 due to the government shutdown.
This does not mean that we don't recommend the current flu vaccine. Some protection is better than no protection. It does mean washing hands, staying home when you are sick, and considering masking to reduce exposure.

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11/11/2025

CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart infant formula. Infant botulism occurs when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum spores that grow in the gut and make a powerful toxin. Infant botulism often starts with constipation but is usually first noticed as difficulty feeding (sucking and swallowing), a weak and altered cry, and a loss of muscle tone and lack of head control.
Do not use ANY ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. This includes formula sold in cans and single serve packets.
Seek immediate medical care if your infant has consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and has any of these symptoms: Poor feeding, Loss of head control, Difficulty swallowing, Decreased facial expression.
Symptoms of infant botulism can take as long as several weeks to develop, so parents should remain vigilant if they used ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

Details on an outbreak of infant botulism linked to infant formula, November 2025.

11/11/2025

Canada has lost its measles free status this week after a year of continuous virus spread. Canada has logged 5,138 measles cases this year and two deaths. Both were babies who were exposed to the measles virus in the womb and were born prematurely.

The measles elimination designation represents a hard-won battle against the infectious disease. It is earned when a country shows it stopped continuous spread of the virus within local communities, though occasional cases might still pop up from travel. With dropping vaccination rates, the U.S. is also at risk of loosing their measles free status.

International health experts say Canada is no longer measles-free because of ongoing outbreaks, as childhood vaccination rates fall and the highly contagious virus spreads across North and South America.

11/05/2025

Great new research with a prospective study on vaccines and autism. Prospective studies (looking forward) are very hard to do, because you have to follow the participants over years and years. Most studies are retrospective (looking backward). For example, you look at people who have been diagnosed with Autism and try to find a common link. Prospective studies are much better studies and are better at determining causality. Retrospective studies are cheaper and easier but are more prone to bias. Well, the Danish did the hard work and followed children for 21 years and found NO association between vaccines and Autism. More definitive evidence that the current vaccine hesitance is based on opinion and not medical fact.

For 21 years, scientists in Denmark followed more than one million children to find out if vaccines cause autism. The results are clear: there is no link at all. Aluminum in vaccines, or any other ingredient, showed zero connection to autism or any long-term illness. This real-world research proves vaccines are safe and life-saving. Science doesn’t work on opinions—it works on evidence.

11/04/2025

We have added appointments on MyChart for our mini flu clinic this Friday, November 7th from 9:00 am-3:30 pm! Schedule on MyChart to see Nurse Jenn and Nurse Lynn for this mini clinic. Flu shots and Flumist will be available.

If you have difficulty scheduling your child in MyChart, send an appointment request to our staff and we will make sure you are set up. Can’t get into MyChart at all? Call our office and our staff will be happy to set up your access. You will need access to check in for this mini clinic.

We look forward to seeing you and helping to protect your child(ren) against the flu before the Holidays arrive. 🤗

11/03/2025

As the fight over SNAP benefits plays out , many branches of the Columbus Public Library are offering free after school snacks.

Food insecurity is a pervasive issue facing our community. Here’s an up-to-date list of 17 library locations* serving free after-school snacks.

A typical “super-snack” features a fruit, vegetable, protein, grain, and milk. The meal program is generously provided by Children's Hunger Alliance.

*EDIT: The Marion-Franklin Branch has also begun serving After-School Snacks. Find always up-to-date times and locations in the comments.

10/29/2025

Come check out the Children's Garden and Garden Railroad display.

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...

10/28/2025

As Halloween approaches and the weather is starting to get colder, it is a good time to review winter car seat safety. We have come a long way from the 1960’s where a car seat was basically a box to keep kids from sliding around the car as you ran a yellow light and took the corner too fast. Winter can be a tricky time for car seats as we wrap kids in multiple layers to keep them warm. As a general rule, infants should wear one more layer than adults. If you have a coat on, your infant will probably need a coat and blanket. However, you must remove the coat and blanket inside the car before putting your child in the car seat. Bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. The force in a car crash immediately smashes the fluffy padding flat, leaving a gap underneath the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be ejected from the seat and maybe even the car.
It is recommended to dress your child in multiple thin layers. Start with close-fitting layers on the bottom, like tights, leggings or long-sleeved bodysuits. Add pants and a warmer top, like a sweater or thermal-knit shirt. Your child can wear a thin fleece jacket over the top. In very cold weather, long underwear is also a warm and safe layering option. Then if needed, it is safe to drape a blanket or coat over the car straps.

10/28/2025

Central Ohio Primary Care is hiring Medical Assistants at practices throughout the metro area.
🩺 Medical Assistant Opportunities: https://ow.ly/5hqG50XgrVs
🔗 Careers at COPC: https://ow.ly/QFaL50XgrVr

#614

10/21/2025

Protein. It is an essential nutrient, but recently there has been a social media craze that has pushed protein front and center. Lead. It is readily found in soil, but is not something you want to be ingesting and no amount is considered safe. How do these two things come together? Historically, I have not been too concerned over protein shakes outside of their cost and the fact they they do not have the magic properties often times stated. Unfortunately, there are new concerns over large amounts of lead being found in most of these products. Consumer Reports found 2/3 of the products had more lead in a single serving than is safe to consume in one day. One product had 1500% more lead than is considered safe. This is a real problem because most people use these products on a regular basis and lead accumulates in your system. If you use protein powder at all, please read the attached article. I would recommend avoiding these products and eating eggs or chicken. If you are still interested in using protein powder There are safer choices listed in the article.

CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.

10/20/2025

Chores are a good way to teach children responsibility, time management, and organization.

10/20/2025

We are looking for a Patient Service Representative (PSR) to join our amazing clerical team. This is a full-time position (four 10-hour weekdays) with excellent benefits. Our ideal candidate has EPIC experience, but we are willing to train. If you love children, enjoy helping others and want to be part of a fantastic team, this position is for you! The PSR will check in patients, verify insurance, schedule appointments, and help direct patient calls. For more information or to submit a résumé, please email Shelley: shpowell@copcp.com or apply on copcp.com (Careers tab) and look for the Patient Service Representative posting.