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Our office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 23-24, 2023, for the Thanksgiving holiday. If your child is ill and you need medical advice, please visit the After Hours page for more information on contacting the on-call doctor. Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
Flu vaccine update: As of October 5, 2023, we have flu vaccine for patients with either private or Medi-Cal insurance. If your child is 6 months and older, please call our office at 916-421-8245 to schedule a flu vaccine appointment.
Check out our updated and improved Patient Portal (active as of June 2023)! You will need to create a new portal account to access your child’s health information. Please call our office at 916-421-8245 or stop by the office to obtain a PIN to activate your account. Your identity will be verified prior to receiving a PIN.
COVID vaccine update: An updated COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the FDA and CDC on September 12, 2023 and is recommended for all children 6 months and up. Check back here for an announcement once we receive this vaccine. Our doctors strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all eligible children.
November 16, 2023 -- Check out these new and updated articles on HealthyChildren.org:
Is the RSV immunization available for infants?
The Benefits of Baby Massage
Choosing a Baby Formula
How to Keep Your Baby Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
Heavy Metals in Baby Food
When Can Kids Get the Updated COVID Vaccine?
Preventing Preschool Expulsions: AAP Policy Explained
Beyond Spoken Words: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
How to Talk with Your Child About the Israel-Gaza War
Raising a Problem Solver: 3 Ways Play Can Help
Hoarseness (Dysphonia): Healing Your Child’s Voice
Pancreatitis in Children: CAuses, Symptoms & Treatment
Fatty Liver Disease in Children & Teens
Spina Bifida: Types, Causes & Treatment for Children
Ear Infections in Children: Information for Parents
Salmonella Infections in Children
Why Children Should Not Ride E-Scooters
How Noise Affects Children
Why are we seeing baby formula brands on the shelves from companies I haven’t heard of before?
Does my child need eye protection for sports?
What do parents need to know about the COVID vaccine for babies and young kids?
Nystagmus in Babies & Children
Parents of Young Children: Why Your Screen Time Matters, Too
COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Parent FAQs
Can my child get a COVID vaccine, flu vaccine and RSV shot at the same visit?
Check out these articles from the Child Mind Institute:
24 Tips for Traveling with Children - How to make flights and road trips easier for children with autism, anxiety, and other challenges
How to Take the Stress Out of Family Gatherings - Tips for helping your kids be at their best and have fun, too
Sensory-Friendly Party Ideas - Tips for throwing inclusive (and fun!) kids’ parties
Helping Children with Selective Mutism During the Holidays - How to be supportive and help kids shine during family gatherings and parties
How to Handle Holidays After a Death in the Family - Grief can make special days harder
What Is Motivational Interviewing? - A deep dive into a unique form of therapy that helps teens change unhealthy behaviors
How to Change Negative Thinking Patterns - Recognizing unhealthy thinking errors called ‘cognitive distortions’
Do Kids Grow Out of Learning Disorders? - Learning disorders don’t go away, but they can get much easier to manage
How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Disabilities - Sometimes opening up about learning differently is hard, but with practice, the rewards can be huge
Building Your Education Team - How to give kids the support they need in school
Supporting the Emotional Needs of Kids With Learning Disabilities - Signs your child might be struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression, and how to help
Preparing for College with Dyslexia - Tools and strategies that, if they’re mastered in high school, will help kids with dyslexia succeed in college
COVID-19 Commonly Asked Questions and Resources
Q: What should I expect when coming to the office? (updated 10/6/2023)
You will be asked COVID-19 screening questions. In accordance with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the CDC, patients and accompanying individuals 2 years and older are not required to wear a mask, UNLESS the patient has respiratory symptoms. Patients with cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat and their accompanying individuals will still need to wear a mask while in the office. If you need a mask but don’t have one, we’ll provide a disposable mask for you to wear. You and your child will then be escorted to an open exam room. We thank you for cooperating and wearing a face mask inside our office when requested to do so!
Q: Should my child be tested for COVID-19 and where can they get tested?
A: Children and teens who have symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested without delay. Children who have had close contact with someone with known or suspected COVID-19 should be tested at least 5 days after exposure to find out if they have an active infection. This is especially important if they have in-person school, sports or jobs, so that anyone who may have been exposed can be alerted. The CDC also recommends testing after traveling outside your local area. For more information: COVID-19 Testing and Kids: What You Should Know. You can test your child at home using a rapid test for COVID-19, or you can go to a COVID-19 testing location. To find a testing location near you, go to https://myturn.ca.gov/en_US.html. An appointment may be required. We do not recommend going to the ER for COVID-19 testing unless your child is ill enough to require emergency care (i.e. is very sick and cannot wait to get tested at another location).
Q: My child was exposed to someone with COVID-19. How long do they have to quarantine at home?
A: Regardless of vaccination status, children/teens do not need to quarantine after they have had close contact with an individual with COVID-19. Exposed children should wear a mask around others for at least 10 days, starting as soon as they find out they were exposed. Exposed individuals should also get tested at least 5 full days after their last exposure. If a rapid antigen test is used for testing an exposed individual, the FDA recommends at least THREE negative rapid antigen tests, each done 48 hours after the other, before discontinuing precautions such as mask-wearing. If any rapid antigen test result is positive, the individual most likely has COVID-19 and should follow the CDC guidance below for COVID-positive individuals. If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 at any time, they should get tested and stay home until symptoms are improving. For more information: If you were exposed
Q: My child has symptoms of COVID-19 and tested positive. How long do they have to isolate at home?
A: Children who have had symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested for COVID-19, then stay home (isolate) for at least 5 days after symptoms first appear. After 5 days, they may end isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication AND their symptoms are improving. They should continue to wear a high-quality mask around others for 5 additional days. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 can stop wearing a mask prior to 10 days total if they have TWO sequential negative rapid antigen tests taken 48 hours apart. Children who still have a fever or symptoms that have not improved after 5 days should continue to isolate until they are fever-free and their symptoms are improving. Regardless of when isolation is ended, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 for at least 10 days total. For more information: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
Q: My child tested positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms. How long do they have to isolate at home? (updated 8/12/2022)
A: Children who test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms should stay home (isolate) for 5 days after the date of the positive test. If they have no symptoms after 5 days, they can end isolation but should continue to wear a high-quality mask around others for 5 additional days. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 can stop wearing a mask prior to 10 days total if they have TWO sequential negative rapid antigen tests taken 48 hours apart. Regardless of when isolation is ended, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 for at least 10 days total. If your child develops symptoms at any time, they should isolate at home according to the above directions for children who have had symptoms of COVID-19. For more information: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
Q: How can you protect your family from COVID-19?
A: Getting vaccinated for COVID-19, wearing a mask or face covering (see Should my child still wear a mask?), and frequent hand hygiene are the best ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 through our community. If you or your family members are sick, even with mild symptoms, get tested for COVID-19. When you are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, get vaccinated!
COVID-19 information is changing frequently. Please call our office if you have questions, or check the CDC website for the latest information on COVID-19 and Healthychildren.org’s COVID-19 page which contains links to many articles addressing questions and issues for parents and children regarding COVID-19.
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