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3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15227(412) 885-2000

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Posts for: January, 2021

When Should My Child Get a Tetanus Shot?

By Steel City South Pediatrics
January 21, 2021
Category: Child Safety
Tags: Tetanus Shot  
Tetanus ShotAll children need to get a tetanus shot. When we think of tetanus we often think of rusty nails; however, this bacterium isn’t just found on rusty metal items, it also lives in soil and dirt. If bacteria come in contact with a wound or opening in the skin this can lead to a serious infection. If your child, like many, enjoys running around outside barefoot, they must be keeping up with their tetanus shots.
 
When should my child get their first tetanus shot?

While tetanus can cause some serious symptoms including “lockjaw," it is completely preventable with a vaccination. The DTaP vaccine is used to prevent tetanus (along with diphtheria and pertussis) and your child will get their first series of shots at 2, 4, and 6 months. Your child will also need another tetanus shot between the ages of 15 to 18 months old and between 4-6 years old.
 
Children should continue to get a tetanus shot during their annual pediatric checkup until they turn 18 years old. Instead of getting the DTap vaccine, which they got as a young child, they will get the Tdap booster shot that still protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
 
Once your child reaches adulthood, they will get a Td vaccination, which will protect them against tetanus and diphtheria.
 
What are the signs and symptoms of tetanus?

Most children will develop symptoms within two weeks of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms of tetanus include,
  • Painful and severe muscle spasms
  • Shoulder, jaw, and neck stiffness
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Fever
If left untreated, tetanus can be life-threatening so it’s important to bring your child in right away if they develop any of these symptoms.
 
If it’s time for your child’s next tetanus shot, your pediatrician will be able to administer the vaccine either during their next routine checkup or at a separate important. You must be keeping up with your child’s vaccine schedule so that they are fully protected against potentially dangerous communicable diseases.

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Keeping Your Child Safe While Traveling

By Steel City South Pediatrics
January 08, 2021
Category: Child Safety
Tags: Traveling   Medications   Vaccines   Travel Insurance   Social Distancing  
Keeping Your Child Safe While TravelingWhether you’re simply taking a weekend trip to visit the grandparents, or you and the family are flying internationally, you must know how to keep everyone healthy and safe while on vacation. After all, the last thing you want to worry about is looking up local hospitals near your hotel in the middle of the night. Here are some tips for how to keep your little ones safe while traveling.
 
Bring all Medications with You…
And make sure you have enough. This is especially important if you are going to spend a couple of weeks on vacation. You will want to make sure that your child has access to their medications and that they don’t run out. If you’re flying, make sure to pack all medications in your carry-on, just in case the airline happens to lose your luggage.
 
Get the Appropriate Vaccinations
While travel throughout the US won’t typically require your child to get inoculated, traveling abroad may require certain vaccines ahead of time. You must schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician about a month in advance to make sure that they get all appropriate vaccinations before travel.
 
Depending on where you’re traveling, your pediatrician may recommend certain immunizations against typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, or rabies. Your child may also require antimalarial drugs to protect against malaria.
 
Get Travel Insurance
While we never want to imagine a medical emergency happening while abroad, it is important to be prepared just in case your child breaks their arm or gets sick. In this case, having travel insurance can be a major stress-reliever and lifesaver. Most travel insurance covers kids under 17 years of age and also provides emergency care and 24/7 assistance.
 
Traveling During COVID-19
Of course, during the pandemic, medical officials highly recommend avoiding any travel unless essential. While we understand everyone’s desire to travel again and for life to return to normal, we must be doing our part to keep everyone safe during this time. If you do need to travel make sure to wear a mask, practice good hygiene and social distancing, and choose outdoor places such as parks where you can avoid crowds and other people.
 
If you do have questions about traveling with your child, or about getting them the proper vaccines before travel, talk with your child’s pediatrician. It’s important to talk with a pediatrician a month or more before your trip so that you can ensure that your child has everything they need before traveling.

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Archive:

  • 2021
      • April (1)
        • Know the Symptoms of Mononucleosis
      • March (2)
        • Bringing Your Child in for Whooping Cough
        • Your Pediatrician's Guide To Thumb-Sucking
      • February (3)
        • Head Lice And How To Treat It
        • When Does My Child Need Stitches?
        • Diabetes in Children
      • January (2)
        • When Should My Child Get a Tetanus Shot?
        • Keeping Your Child Safe While Traveling
  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • Does My Child Have a Broken Bone?
        • Signs of a Pediatric UTI
      • November (1)
        • Keeping Your Child Safe in the Car
      • October (3)
        • Your Child and Chicken Pox
        • Helping Your Child Live Well With Asthma
        • Conjunctivitis: What To Know
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        • Tips to Help Your Child Eat Healthier
      • August (2)
        • The Importance Of Preventive Care
        • Child Behavior Problems
      • July (3)
        • Make Sure Your Child Gets Their Regular Check-Ups
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        • How To Brush Your Child's Teeth
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        • Managing Your Child's Asthma
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      • December (1)
        • Dietary and Nutrition Guidance
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        • Dealing With Sports Injuries
        • How to Care for Your Newborn
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        • The Importance Of Regular Wellness Visits
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        • What to Expect at a Sports Physical
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        • When to Visit a Pediatrician
        • Types of Learning and Developmental Disabilities
        • What is Conjunctivitis?
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        • Signs Your Child May Have Asthma
        • The Importance of Well Child Visits
      • June (1)
        • The Importance of Nutrition in Your Child's Health
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      • April (1)
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        • Baby Proofing Your Home
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      • February (2)
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        • Appendicitis in Children
      • January (2)
        • Symptoms of Whooping Cough
        • Mono: Symptoms and Prevention
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Treating a Cut
        • Healthy Eating Options for Busy Families
      • November (2)
        • Parents: Protect Your Children from Burns
        • Does My Child Have a Vision Problem?
      • October (2)
        • Childhood Obesity: Helpful Tips for Parents of Overweight Children
        • When a Sore Throat Interrupts Your Child's Health
      • September (2)
        • How to Tell the Difference between Sinusitis and a Cold
        • Kids and Bedwetting: When Should I Be Concerned?
      • August (2)
        • How to Protect Kids from the Sun
        • Understanding Infant Jaundice
      • July (2)
        • How to Keep Germs At Bay and Illnesses Away
        • Fever Phobia? When Parents Should Call Their Pediatrician
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        • Is Eczema Causing My Child's Rash?
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        • How to Help Your Teen Make Healthy Eating Choices
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        • Understanding Tonsillitis
        • Headaches and Children: Knowing When to Call the Pediatrician
      • February (3)
        • Does My Child Have a Food Allergy?
        • Hear This: Turning Down the Volume Now May Save Your Teen's Hearing in Adult Years
        • Diaper Rash: How to Soothe and Protect Your Baby's Bottom
      • January (2)
        • Fit Kids, Healthy Kids - How to Make Exercise a Way of Life
        • Battling Teenage Acne
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • How to Keep Injuries at Bay when Kids are at Play
      • November (3)
        • How to Avoid and Manage Dreaded Head Lice
        • Use Your Head: How to Keep Your Kids Safe from Concussions
        • Fighting Flu Season: How to Protect Your Family from the Influenza Virus
      • September (1)
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Our Location

3911 Saw Mill Run Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
(412) 885-2000

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Monday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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