Category: News

What You Need to Know About Measles

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With the recently confirmed cases of measles in the Chicago area, parents are naturally concerned about their children’s health and well-being. Below are answers to the most common questions that we are receiving.

When should my child receive the measles vaccination?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children get two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Should my child who is less than 12 months old have the vaccine?

At this time, officials are not recommending early vaccination unless the child 1) has had a “known exposure” to the measles virus or 2) if there are plans for upcoming air travel abroad or to an area of known measles outbreak. In these two situations, children who are at least 6 months of age may receive the MMR vaccine. Note: Children receiving the MMR vaccine prior to 12 months of age will still require two additional doses of the vaccine per the regular recommended schedule.

Should my child receive the second dose of MMR vaccine early?

While children may receive the second dose of the MMR vaccine early (before 4 years of age), at this time officials are not recommending an early booster vaccination.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles signs and symptoms will generally appear 8 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles are progressive and typically include:

  • High fever
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik’s spots
  • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

The infection occurs in sequential stages over a period of two to three weeks.

1. Infection and incubation. For the first 8 to 12 days after you’re infected, the measles virus incubates. You have no signs or symptoms of measles during this time.

2. Nonspecific signs and symptoms. Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, often accompanied by a persistent cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and sore throat. This relatively mild illness may last two or three days.

3. Acute illness and rash. The rash consists of small red spots, some of which are slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face breaks out first, particularly behind the ears and along the hairline.

Over the next few days, the rash spreads down the arms and trunk, then over the thighs, lower legs and feet. At the same time, fever rises sharply, often as high as 104 to 105.8 F (40 to 41 C). The measles rash gradually recedes, fading first from the face and last from the thighs and feet.

4. Communicable period. A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about 8 days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

Call our office if you believe your child may have the measles.

The physicians and staff of Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are committed to the health and well-being of your children. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor developments in this situation and make information available to the parents of our patients.

Happy Holidays! Office Hours During the Holidays

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Happy Holidays!

We are here to serve you during the holiday season! Give us a call: 847-295-1220

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS:
Happy Holidays! We’re here providing family-focused care throughout the holiday season. Please email us or call us at 847-295-1220 to schedule an appointment.
Morning sick call (no appointment needed) is available Monday thru Saturday, 8:00am to 9:00am.

CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 The Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst offices will be open from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The Vernon Hills office will be closed.

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 Our Lake Bluff office will be open from 8:00am to 12:00pm Christmas morning, by appointment only. No Sick Call.

NEW YEAR’S EVE, DECEMBER 31, 2015 The Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst office will be open from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The Vernon Hills office will be closed.

NEW YEAR’S DAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 Our Lake Bluff office will be open from 8:00am to 12:00pm New Year’s Day, by appointment only. No Sick Call.

Dr. Ashley elected to new role at Lurie Children’s Hospital

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Status: live

Dr. Douglas Ashley has been elected to the Children’s Community Physicians Association Board of Directors of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Ashley is an instructor of Clinical Pediatrics-Community-Based Primary Care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He served as Vice-Chief of the Department of Pediatrics of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital from 2009-2012. Prior to that, he was a member of the NLFH Quality Improvement subcommittee. He continues to be an active member of that committee. He is a board-certified pediatrician and member of Lake Forest Pediatric Associates.

Originally from Deerfield, Illinois, Dr. Ashley earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. Dr. Ashley is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and received his postgraduate training at Loyola University Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Ashley has a special interest in adoption medicine and international child health.

Congratulations Dr. Ashley on your new role on the Children’s Community Physicians Association Board of Directors of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago!

Sign Up for estatements!

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Sign Up for estatements!

Lake Forest Pediatrics announces the addition of estatements to our available offerings for busy parents.

Now, parents can choose to receive their Lake Forest Pediatrics statements electronically. Electronic statements can help parents reduce paperwork, saving time and postage.

With our new estatement option, receive your Lake Forest Pediatrics statements electronically and pay bills online. Instructions to join the program will be included with your next paper statement. The instructions will direct you to a website where you may sign up for estatements and/or make electronic payments.

Sign up and manage payments online or continue to receive paper statements in the mail. The choice is yours.

Make life easier with estatements – watch the mail for instructions on signing up!

Road Construction Season Has Started

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Road construction season has started! Please be aware of delays and plan accordingly when driving to the office.

Repaving projects seem to be everywhere we look! Construction is happening on Milwaukee Avenue, Route 137, Route 176, and Route 43 (to name a few!). Please give yourself a little more time to reach our offices and consider checking for alternate routes.

Blue Choice Insurance

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Unfortunately, Lake Forest Pediatrics is not able to participate in any of the BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Blue Choice plans.

While we are happy to continue providing healthcare services to Blue Choice members, we highly encourage you to contact your insurance carrier to verify your benefits and eligibility. Many times out-of-network medical services are not reimbursed and/or applied to separate out-of-network deductibles causing patients to incur higher out of pocket costs.

Please feel free to contact us at 847-295-2260 between the hours of 8am – 4:30pm if you have any questions regarding your account.

Special Holiday Hours

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We’re here when you need us: 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, including holidays. Our board certified pediatricians and experienced nurse practitioners are delighted to serve you and your family.

Please take note of our special holiday office hours during the upcoming 4th of July weekend:

Friday, July 3rd – Our Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst offices will be open in the morning and can be reached by phone from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Walk-in sick call will be available from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. Our Vernon Hills office will be closed. Our physicians can be reached after hours with urgent matters by calling 847-295-1220.

Saturday, July 4th – Our Lake Bluff office will be open for appointments in the morning and the office can be reached by phone from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Walk-in sick call is not available on July 4th. Please call on July 4th at 8:00am to schedule a same-day appointment. Our physicians can be reached after hours with urgent matters by calling 847-295-1220.

Lindenhurst Renovation

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“Pardon the dust!” Today we are beginning a renovation project at our Lindenhurst location. The project is expected to last approximately six weeks. Thank you for your patience while we work to improve your experience.

New Moms Group

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New Moms, please join us for an upcoming meeting of our New Moms Group at the Lake Bluff Office. Facilitated by Gail Macklin RN BNS IBCLC RLC of New Mother New Baby, we support one another in a warm, welcoming environment. We talk about everything, from soothing a fussy baby to making time for Mom. At each meeting, we explore a topic that is helpful to new Moms.

Won’t you join us?

Save the date for our upcoming get-together:

Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Lake Bluff Office
Breastfeeding Q & A

A letter from Dr. Arthur Lasin – Retirement

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Status: archived

Dear Parents, Patients, Family and Friends:

I will be retiring from Lake Forest Pediatrics and from the active practice of Pediatrics on June 30, 2013.

Confucius said “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I have been fortunate to have a career which I truly loved. However, I feel this is the right time to explore new horizons.

I have been blessed to have been at Lake Forest Pediatrics for 43 years. During that time, I ahve been grateful you have allowed me into the lives of your families and the privilege of caring for your most valuable possession — your children. I hope that I have contributed to their well-being during my career. I know your children have enriched my life and they have taught me many of my life experiences.

I am leaving the practice of pediatrics — a lot older, a little wiser, and still in awe of the magnificence of children.

I would like to wish all of you the gift of health, happiness and well-being.

With my best regards,
Arthur J. Lasin, M.D.