Author: Lake Forest Pediatric Associates

Post Date: 1604984400
Status: archived

Happy Thanksgiving! All of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are GRATEFUL for you and the trust you place in us with your precious kids. Enjoy your family time together over the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Please make a note of our special holiday hours this month:

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, 11-26-20:

Lake Bluff Office – Open only for Urgent Care, Open in AM only, no Walk-In Sick Call, Phones will be Open 8am – 12pm

Lindenhurst Office – Closed

Vernon Hills Office – Closed

Friday, 11-27-20:

Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst Offices will be open normal business hours. Phones will be Open 8:00am – 5:00pm

Vernon Hills Office – Closed

Post Date: 1602129600
Status: live

Post Date: 1601611200
Status: live

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new text patient appointment reminder and communication system. The new system offers many convenient benefits to our families, including the following:

• text appointment reminders
• text pre-appointment screening questions (regarding COVID symptom checking)
• on-demand texts with patients who are in waiting in the parking lot

We’re excited to offer this new, convenient way of communicating with our patients!

Post Date: 1599537600
Status: live

UPDATE 10-13-2020

We have received a shipment of our flu vaccine and have resumed booking flu shot appointments. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please call 847-295-1220 for an appointment.

UPDATE: 10-7-2020

The good news is that people are getting their influenza (flu) shots this year. The bad news is that flu vaccine supplies have run short and the vaccine manufacturer Sanofi is behind on vaccine deliveries to health care providers, including Lake Forest Pediatric Associates.

We ordered over 10,000 flu shots for this fall, but due to the manufacturer’s distribution issues, we’ve received a limited number of flu vaccine doses. Because of this, flu vaccine appointments are NOT currently available at our offices. When additional vaccines have been received (hopefully soon) and we can resume scheduling flu vaccine appointments, we will post about it on our website and social media profiles.

9-8-2020

With Flu Season coming on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to do what we can to reduce the spread of these respiratory illnesses. Flu (Influenza) Season typically occurs in the Fall and Winter, sometimes extending into the Summer months. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness, sometimes resulting in hospitalization and even death. Learn more about the flu here.

Flu vaccines protect against the three or four flu viruses that are expected to be most common that season. Because of their beneficial effects, flu vaccines are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC for everyone 6 months of age and older. For more information about flu vaccines, read this recent article from CDC: Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2020-2021 Season.

Get the Flu Vaccine at your Child’s Medical Home

Lake Forest Pediatrics offers the flu vaccine to our patients through our Annual Fall Flu Clinics. Please call us at 847-295-1220 to make your child’s appointment. Read about the importance of visiting your regular physician for vaccinations and well-child visits here.

The health and safety of our patients, their parents, and our staff is our primary concern. For the sake of everyone’s safety, we’re modifying the flow of patients in our offices to accommodate the flu clinics. Read about the safety measures in place at all Lake Forest Pediatrics’ offices, including social distancing and mask wearing, and view our screening processes on our website home page.

Post Date: 1599019200
Status: live

There’s no doubt about it – raising kids during the pandemic has been challenging. COVID-19 has interrupted and changed our way of life. From managing your child’s healthcare and education to working remote, parents are challenged to get it all done. During this time, missed doctor appointments and vaccinations were common and they have left children and their families at risk.

Now with safety measures in place, returning to your child’s pediatrician for catch-up care is easier and more important than ever before. This is the time to return to your child’s physician to catch-up on past-due vaccinations and well-child visits. Our practice continues to provide you with the best care and service during this challenging time. Call 847-295-1220 for an appointment.

Your Child’s Medical Home

Lake Forest Pediatrics is your child’s Medical Home. We are here to serve your family at every stage of your child’s development with comprehensive care. Our board-certified pediatricians and nurse practitioners know your child’s medical history, we provide developmental and mental health screenings, and we consult with you on specialized issues such as depression, ADHD, weight management and adolescent services.

In contrast, pharmacists are not aware of your child’s medical history, do not have a long-term trusting relationship with your family, and do not provide comprehensive health services to children. Read the American Academy of Pediatricians’ response to the recent move allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines to children ages 3-18 years: HHS action on pharmacy vaccination ‘misguided’.

Catch-Up on Vaccines and Well-Child Visits

Now’s the time to catch-up on your child’s immunizations and well-child visits. Our three convenient offices are open to serve you, with a full range of medical services for all children, ages newborn to 21-years. We’re here when you need us, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Call 847-295-1220 for an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!

Post Date: 1598500800
Status: archived

UPDATE: All phone and email systems are now fully functional. Thanks again for your patience! Feel free to access the portal and contact us by phone or email with any needs.

Please note that our systems are down temporarily. We will notify you when our phone and email systems are functional again.

If you need to make a future appointment or to access the portal, please try again tomorrow.

For urgent matters, please send a private message to us on Facebook and a team member will call you. Please include your phone number, child’s name and date of birth in your message.

Thank you for your patience.

Post Date: 1598328000
Status: archived

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

We are here to serve you, with regular office hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday, September 7th, our Lake Bluff office will be open from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm for urgent care only. NO walk-in sick call will be available. The Vernon Hills and Lindenhurst offices will be closed on Labor Day.

Post Date: 1595390400
Status: live

– The AAP has put out guidance stating the importance of having children attend school in-person whenever possible, and we agree with that statement. Being physically present at school is important to a child’s academic development, but is also key for their social-emotional development and mental health. While we must be cautious about spreading COVID in the community, there is a real risk to children missing out on in-person school as well.

– We expect that CDC guidelines will be used by schools to mitigate the risk of COVID transmission among students, and it is reassuring that data continue to show that children are at very low risk of serious disease from COVID, especially in elementary school age and younger. There is also some evidence that children are less likely to transmit disease to others. Here is a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics positions on the topic:
https://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Return-to-School-During-COVID-19.aspx

– Face masks are a key part of the guidelines for safe return to school, and we do not have any safety concerns for their use in children all day for school attendance, even if your child has a condition such as asthma. Children <2 yrs=”” of=”” age=”” or=”” who=”” are=”” neurologically=”” compromised=”” may=”” have=”” difficulty=”” wearing=”” removing=”” masks=”” without=”” assistance=”” so=”” their=”” use=”” in=”” these=”” groups=”” is=”” not=”” recommended=”” p=””>

– There are some conditions which may put your child, or a close family member, at risk for severe disease from COVID. If your child or a close relative with frequent contact has one of these conditions, this may be a reason to choose virtual learning and we suggest you discuss this with the specialist guiding their care. If you do not have a specialist or would also like to speak with one of our providers, we are available by phone as well. These conditions may include:
– Diabetes
– Chronic/complex kidney disease
– Complex heart disease (excluding innocent heart murmurs)
– Complex neurologic conditions
– Chronic lung disease (COPD, pulmonary malformations, moderate to severe asthma; generally mild asthma is NOT included)
– Obesity
– History of organ transplant
– Compromised immune system from other underlying condition or medication

– It is important to remember that while schools will try to take every precaution possible to reduce transmission of COVID, returning to in-person school will not be risk-free, and you have to decide what is best for your family and your child in terms of in-person vs. virtual learning for the fall.

-Confirm that your child’s immunizations are up to date. As always, we encourage everyone to get the influenza vaccine this year, but it is especially critical this year for those returning to school or participating in activities outside the home.

-Recommendations may change based on prevalence of the virus in the area. It is also important to be flexible and have a back-up plan in place should your school need to transition to remote learning.

-The following are some safety factors schools are putting in place. You can check with your school to see if any of the following are in the plans for reopening:
-Physical distancing
-Frequent hand hygiene
-Cloth face coverings (in school and on buses)
-Utilize outside space when possible
-Lunch in room or small groups outside
-Temperature checks (home and/or school). Fever is considered temperature of 100.4 F or greater
-Sanitizing classrooms and high touch surfaces
-Minimize use of high touch surfaces (such as keeping classroom doors open)

-Keep your child home if s/he or any family member has any illness symptoms.

Post Date: 1583899200
Status: live

Update 3-11-2020

We’ve been hearing from lots of families about their coronavirus concerns and we are here to help.

If BOTH of the following statements apply to your child, please call the office at 847-295-1220 for direction about COVID-19 testing and treatment:

1. Your child has a fever and/or respiratory symptoms

AND

2. Your child has recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy
    or
    Your child has been potentially exposed to family/friends that have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy   

Coronavirus and Helpful Resources

We at Lake Forest Pediatrics are aware of your concerns regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and are closely monitoring reports from the CDC, AAP, and WHO regarding the diagnosis and spread of this disease. One reassuring point that’s become apparent as cases of COVID-19 have been studied is that children infected with coronavirus have experienced very mild symptoms. However, if you are concerned that your child may have coronavirus, please call our office rather than bringing your child in for evaluation since we are unable to test for COVID-19 but want to assist you in getting your child the appropriate medical evaluation. Here are two helpful articles that discuss COVID-19 and how to protect you and your family:

https://parentingpediatrician.com/2020/03/03/coronavirus-covid-19-
information/
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/2019-novel-coronavirus-ncov/

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS

What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to
person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Prevention
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses,
including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Travel Warnings
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy. CDC also advises that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan. Travelers should practice usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong. If you plan to travel internationally, you can enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important messages, alerts, updates, and travel advisories while you are there.

More Information
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new
information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The Illinois Department of Health provides updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.
The US Department of State provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.

Post Date: 1575954000
Status: live

Happy Holidays from all of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates!

We are open to serve you throughout the holiday season. See below for special office hours, starting on Christmas Eve and call us at 847-295-1220 to make an appointment. Happy Holidays!