The Importance of Vaccinating Parents and Siblings to Protect Babies

“Whoop” This is the awful high-pitched inhaling sound people can make after a burst of coughing associated with pertussis. This sound is what gives it the common name: “Whooping Cough.” It has also been called the "100-day cough" due to the duration of the cough.

For adults, getting a case of whooping cough is annoying and sometimes painful given the severity of the cough, but usually only slightly worse than the common cold, especially early on. Many adolescents and adults don’t even develop the stereotypical “whoop.” For children, especially infants, this illness can be deadly. 85% of the deaths associated with pertussis occur in infants less than 3 months of age.

The good news is that we have a vaccine for pertussis. Fortunately, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of pertussis cases since the introduction of the vaccine in the 1940’s, but we continue to see outbreaks every couple of years. Currently, California is experiencing an outbreak and there have been cases in Wisconsin as well.

The vaccine is given in a combination vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus, usually at ages 2, 4, 6 months, 12-18 months and 4-5 years. The vaccine is not fully effective until 3 doses are given, so children that are less than 6 months are at higher risk of getting the illness. Teenagers and adults tend to be those that spread the disease, because their illness is not as severe and many do not even know that pertussis is what is causing their illness. They also have waning immunity from the vaccines they received as a young child. Fortunately in 2005, a booster vaccine was developed.

This vaccine should be used in place of one tetanus booster. It contains tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap). Anyone that is around small children, especially new parents, should make sure they have received the Tdap vaccine. It is recommended that any new mother that is not immunized should receive it during the immediate postpartum period. If she is around children less than 12 months old during her pregnancy, she should receive it during the pregnancy.

If you have questions about your or your child(ren)’s immunization status, please be sure to discuss them with your primary care provider.

Dr. Dana Johnson
Pediatrician
Meriter McKee
3102 Meriter Way
Madison, WI
608.417.8388
meriter.com/pediatrics

Keeping Summer Fun

Whoever thought that age four would be the time to start worrying about extracurricular activities? The arrival of the YMCA and MSCR summer guides began my internal debate.

Perusing through the pages of both guides peaked my interest in many activities. I haven’t played tennis is over five years, and the adult tennis class sounds like fun. If only I was ten again, I could go to summer camp. . . Okay, back to my four-year-old. Up until this year, he was too young for many activities. Promoting a healthy lifestyle (including physical activity) at this age is very important for life-long health, but do I sign him up for karate or swimming or gymnastics or yoga or outdoor soccer or a soccer camp or a multi-sport camp or . . . The list goes on and on, and it will only get longer as he gets older.

As with all families, our time is limited, and I want to make the most of the time we are together. I also look forward to having trips to the library, zoo, park and many of the other amenities offered by living in Madison. We also want to take short weekend trips to explore new places and if I fill the summer with scheduled activities, when will we go exploring? My son has taught me that spontaneity can be the most fun. Children benefit from structure in some activities, but also need time to explore the world on their own and create their own adventures. My husband and I thought it was a great idea to go see the St. Patrick’s Day parade. My son enjoyed the parade, but had just as much fun running around the Capital lawn playing hide-and-go-seek. I don’t want to limit these opportunities to create his own fun (and mine, for that fact) by scheduling away all our free time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a good article to help guide parents: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Physical-Activity-Make-the-Right-Choice-for-Your-Child.aspx.

So, I continue to have the internal debate, but for the time being, my son is only scheduled in 1-2 activities per week. I am planning to keep all weekends free in the summer for exploring and discovering what fun we can have on our own. The most important thing is for us to figure out what works for our family, stay active and have fun.

Dr. Dana Johnson
Pediatrician
Meriter Pediatrics
2275 Deming Way, Suite 220
Middleton, WI 53562
608.417.8388
meriter.com/pediatrics

Sun Safety Tips

It's spring, or at least it is starting to feel like it! With this, comes children playing outside more and many families traveling over Spring Break to places much warmer and sunnier than Madison this time of year. Some of us are more prone to sunburns than others, but all skin types need to take steps to prevent damage from the sun. UV rays can damage the skin and eyes and result in skin cancer that can be deadly. For many that develop skin cancer, the sun damage occurred in childhood.


Sun Protection Tips
- Wear sunscreen
- Try to avoid prolonged sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest
- A cap with a bill to protect the face and sunglasses with UV protection (at least 99%) for the eyes is a good idea
- Remember that UV rays can bounce off water, sand, snow and concrete
- It is best to keep babies under 6 months out of the sun by staying in the shade of a tree, umbrella, etc.
- Set a good example. Like everything else, kids learn best from their parents’ example.

Sunscreen Basics
- For any new type of sunscreen, test on a small area to test for an allergic reaction. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding eyelids.
- Okay to use on anyone over 6 months. If sun exposure is unavoidable for babies under 6 months, it is okay to use sunscreen on sun exposed areas. (I recommend giving the baby a bath when you get back inside to decrease possible skin irritation.)
- Want at least sun protection factor (SPF) of 15
- Want “broad-spectrum” so that it screens out both UVA and UVB rays
- Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all sun exposed skin and rub it in well. Apply at least 30 minutes prior to going outdoors, after getting wet, and every 2 hours while in the sun.
- Sunblocks with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are great for sensitive areas like the nose, cheeks, ears, and shoulders. They often stay visible even when being rubbed in, so some come in fun colors.
- Applying sunscreen is protection - not a reason to stay in the sun longer

Contact a doctor, if a baby under 1 year develops a sunburn or an older child develops blistering, pain or fever with sunburns.

The above recommendations were adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics “Spring Break Safety Tips” at http://www.healthychildren.org/ and “Fun in the Sun: Keep Your Family Safe” handout.

Dr. Dana Johnson
Pediatrician
Meriter Pediatrican
2275 Deming Way, Suite 220
Middleton, WI 53562
608.417.8388meriter.com/pediatrics