Health Alerts

The flu vaccine is important. It can save your family time, money, and may even save the life of someone you love. Flu killed approximately 80,000 people in the United States last flu season, according to the CDC. That record-setting number doesn’t take into account hospitalizations, doctor visits, or days missed at work or school. … Continue reading “2018 Walk-in Flu Shot Clinics”

Many parents, from Payson to Saratoga Springs, have questions about whooping cough. Utah County’s current Pertussis levels are in the news and parents are understandably concerned. The good news is, if your child has been vaccinated for Tetanus, he or she has also been vaccinated for whooping cough (Pertussis). While this doesn’t mean vaccinated kids … Continue reading “Is my child at risk from whooping cough?”

• Mosquito season in Utah runs from mid-spring through early autumn.
• Zika is primarily spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, though the virus can also be spread through sexual contact.
• Traditional mosquito bite avoidance methods are the most effective for preventing the spread of Zika.

Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like colds or the flu. In these cases, antibiotics don’t work and can actually make you sick longer. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection won’t cure your sore throat, keep others from catching it, or help you feel better. In these … Continue reading “When a sore throat doesn’t need antibiotics”

If you don’t need antibiotics, play it safe. Learn when antibiotics can do more harm than good. Antibiotics work great on bacterial infections – shortening illnesses and saving lives. But most colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and earaches are caused by viral infections. If you have a viral infection, an antibiotic won’t help and the … Continue reading “When taking an antibiotic can do more harm than good”

Did you know that taking antibiotics when you don’t need them poses one of the world’s most significant public health risks? Unfortunately, overusing antibiotics causes antibiotic resistance. This is when a strain of bacteria becomes resistant to the multiple types of antibiotics. These superbugs become harder to treat and much more dangerous. Diseases that were … Continue reading “Bugs are scary. Superbugs are even scarier.”

Utah Valley Pediatrics recently joined with other local doctors to sign a response on Pamela Romney Openshaw’s editorial entitled “Forget Compulsory Vaccinations.” Our sincere desire is to help parents make informed decisions regarding the health of their children. We feel that this response helps clarify several points made in Openshaw’s editorial. 123 local doctors object … Continue reading “Utah Valley Pediatrics joins with other local doctors to clarify Openshaw’s editorial on vaccines”

Article at a Glance

• Pediatricians are better able to treat children because they are specially trained in child health issues.
• According to the AAP, retail-based clinics provide fragmented healthcare and do not support the medical home.
• Retail-based clinics do not provide the same continuity of care as a primary care pediatrician who is aware of current medications, past health problems, and any special situations in your home.