Your Child's Physical Well Being
Nothing is more important than the health of your child, which means scheduling routine wellness physicals to ensure that your child grows into a healthy adult.
Your child should have a physical each year around the start of the school year. These physicals are a crucial way for your pediatrician to screen for any medical or development disorders. Also this gives the parents and children the opportunity to build rapport and to address any questions or concerns you may have.
The most crucial aspect of a child’s annual checkup is preventive care; therefore, even if your child is healthy, you and your child should still keep up with these yearly appointments so that you can discuss any of your child’s health changes with your pediatrician.
When you bring your child to Champion Pediatric for an annual physical, your child’s pediatrician will go through a series of tests along with a routine exam to see how your child is developing: These are some of the things you can expect when your child goes in for his or her physical:
- Check vision, hearing and reflexes
- Record child’s height and weight on a growth chart
- Give any required immunizations to ward against illness
- Find out more about your child’s living environment, family schooling, support system, etc.
- Determine that your child is meeting normal developmental milestones
During your child’s physical, you can also expect your pediatrician to provide information regarding healthy development, nutrition, sleep and other important aspects of your child’s life that you will need to know about as he or she grows. These physicals are also a good time for parents to address any questions or issues they are having.
These annual physicals should begin after the child is only few days old and continue until around the age of 20. The first physical your child should have is as a newborn, between 3-5 days after being discharged from the hospital. Your child should also have about eight physical exams (around every 2 to 3 months) between the ages of birth to two years old. At 30 months, your child will require another physical. Once your child turns three, physicals will only be required annually.
Childhood Vaccinations
Whenever germs enter the body, our immune system is activated. Once the immune system determines that these germs are foreign invaders, it will then tell the body to produce the proper antibodies to fight the infection.
When your child gets a vaccination, the vaccine contains either a weakened or dead version of the infection, which will not produce symptoms but will cause the immune system to begin producing antibodies. These antibodies will then help to protect your child in the future, should he or she ever be exposed to the disease. Vaccines help keep children healthy by keeping serious childhood illnesses away.
Are vaccinations safe for my child?
Vaccinations are often very safe. The protection and safeguard that they provide against severe illnesses will far outweigh the smaller, less possible risks associated with the vaccine itself. Many vaccines have helped eradicate many serious childhood illnesses. If you have any concerns about vaccines, always talk with your child’s pediatrician.
Are there side effects?
Depending on the vaccine, your child may experience common symptoms like fever or soreness near the injection site. These symptoms are often very minor and only temporarily. Always check with your pediatrician first about any potential side effects related to the vaccines your child will be receiving.
How often should my child get vaccinated?
Our staff knows when it’s time for your child’s next series of vaccines. We are always happy to remind you to schedule your child’s next appointment so he or she is always up-to-date on immunizations. The first vaccine will be administered when your child is about 2 months old and continue until your child is about 18 years old.
What are the vaccines offered?
From the flu vaccine to hepatitis, Champions Pediatric offers a full range of immunizations to ensure that your child is protected from all childhood diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Inactivated poliovirus (IPV)
- Influenze
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Varicella
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal
- Human papillomavirus
Which vaccines are recommended?
Children should receive all these vaccines as they continue to grow. However, there are rare cases in which a child should not be vaccinated. Some vaccines shouldn’t be administered if your child has been diagnosed with a certain disease or form of cancer, or if the drug may lower the child’s ability to fight infection.
If you child experiences a serious reaction to a shot within a series, talk to your pediatrician right away to discuss whether your child should receive the rest of the vaccines within that series.
For more information on Child Physicals in the Spring, TX area call Champions Pediatric Associates at (281) 370-1122 today!