You want what's best for your child. Sometimes that means helping your child prevent certain illnesses, like the flu. Our practitioners at Southwest Children's Clinic in West Jordan, UT, formulated a list of facts that about flu shots for children.

1. It's Not a Live Vaccine

While there was a nasal mist that was an attenuated one, meaning it's a weakened strain of the live virus, it's no longer on the market. The other versions use a dead strain of the virus.

2. Your Child Won't Get the Flu From the Vaccine

Your child won't get the flu from a vaccine. The symptoms he or she experiences are his or her body building up immunity.

3. Some Kids Should Absolutely Receive It

Children with an autoimmune disorder, asthma, heart problems, or various other chronic disorders should get the flu shot. The flu is more likely to be serious in these individuals.

4. Few Children Shouldn't Get It

There are only some children who shouldn't get the immunization. Those are the ones who had an allergic reaction in the past or are too young to get it. Some children with a history of Guillain-Barre also shouldn't receive it, but you can discuss your kid's specific risk and decide if it's right for them.

5. It Can Protect Others

By reducing your child's risk, it's less likely he or she will be able to spread it to others, particularly grandparents or other individuals in your family that are more prone to serious consequences from the flu.

6. It's Safe for Those Six Months and Up

After extensive studies, the flu shot has been proven to be safe for children six months and up.

7. Children Need a Yearly Flu Shot

A kid should get the flu shot at our West Jordan, UT, office every year because the immunity wanes, and the common strains change.

8. It Can Prevent Serious Complications

Although the flu isn't serious in everyone, the infection can be serious or life-threatening in some children.

9. You Should Get it for Your Child Early in the Flu Season

The average flu season lasts from September to March. Try to get it before then.

At Southwest Children's Clinic in West Jordan, UT, we offer the flu vaccines and are available for questions. Contact us at (801) 563-1975.

Be able to recognize the telltale signs of anxiety in your child.

A little bit of anxiety is normal, even in children. Maybe your child has a big test or is about to start school. Feeling nervous in these moments is entirely normal; however, when anxiety or worry impacts their daily routine and quality of life, it’s time to talk to our West Jordan, UT, pediatricians to find out if your child could be dealing with it an anxiety disorder. This can be particularly helpful for parents of young children who may not be able to express how they are feeling. This information can help you spot the signs early.

The Physical Warning Signs of Anxiety

A child with anxiety is often easily distracted, restless and fidgety. Parents may assume their child has ADHD, but it could be anxiety. Kids with anxiety may complain about recurring stomachaches or headaches with no known cause. They may also frequently end up in the nurse's office with unexplained aches and pains. Kids with anxiety may sweat, shake or look tense. They may also avoid eating lunch or snacks at school.

The Behavioral Warning Signs

Kids with anxiety may try to get out of going to school. They may often be silent or avoid joining in with others at recess or lunch. They are also prone to temper tantrums and meltdowns. They often seek approval and need constant reassurance from family members. They may also ask many “what if?” questions such as “What would happen if someone broke into the house?”

The Emotional Warning Signs

A child with anxiety is often seen as extremely sensitive. They may become suddenly angry and irritable, or they may cry frequently. They may also show worry or concern for the future or have nightmares or panic attacks.

Suspect that Your Child Might Have Anxiety?

Being able to spot the signs of anxiety in your child is important, as that means you can turn to our West Jordan, UT, team right away to discuss your concerns. We will first want to find what’s causing their anxiety and then provide recommendations based on the root cause. If we think your child could benefit from turning to a mental health professional, we can also provide a referral.

Are you worried that your child might have anxiety? If so, our West Jordan, UT, pediatricians are here to help. To schedule an evaluation, call Southwest Children's Clinic at (801) 563-1975.

What you should know about your baby’s first shots.

Your pediatricians want to provide you with the accurate information you need regarding your child’s immunizations.

Your Baby’s First Shot

From the moment your child is born, they will begin their vaccine schedule, starting in the hospital. This first vaccine is the first dose to protect against the hepatitis B virus (HBV). By following the CDC’s child and teen immunization schedule, which our pediatric team follows, you can protect your newborn from 14 potentially life-threatening diseases before they turn two. After you leave the hospital, you’ll visit our office about 1-3 days after giving birth, during which we will administer the second HBV dose.

Will Vaccines Overload My Newborn’s System

We vaccinate our children more today than in the last three decades. This has some parents worried that getting regular vaccines might overload their child’s immune system. Luckily, this isn’t something that you should worry about. Fortunately, studies show that kids who get vaccines are less likely to get sick than those who miss out on certain vaccines. So, keeping up with your child’s immunization schedule will not weaken their immune system or lead them to get sick more frequently.

Are Vaccines Safe for My Newborn?

The CDC reports that the US has the safest vaccine supply in history, meaning millions of children receive safe, effective vaccines each year. Vaccines have undergone rigorous testing before being approved by the FDA. Only then can they be used on the general public. So, rest assured that these immunizations have been tested for safety and efficacy.

We know that nothing is more important than finding a doctor you trust. Here at Acton Road Pediatrics, we can trust that our team will always know your child by name. To schedule your child’s upcoming immunizations, call (205) 978-8245.

Children exhibit all kinds of interesting behaviors. Many of these behaviors are normal boundary testing, showing independence, and other healthy milestones you want to see.

Children can also exhibit behaviors you don’t want to see, like aggressiveness, sadness, and fear. Your pediatrician is an expert on child development and can help you with your child’s behavioral health.

First let’s look at normal behaviors you want to see. These include:

• Defiance, because your child may be testing boundaries and exerting independence
• Withdrawing, because your child needs to show autonomy, and wants to accomplish things without your help
• Acting out, because your child may be reacting to major changes in life, like moving to a new school, divorce, or death of a close family member

Now, let’s look at behaviors that could be warning signs of a behavioral disorder. These include:

• Threatening or harming others, pets, or themselves
• Damaging possessions belonging to others
• Having difficulty forming or keeping relationships with others
• Showing frequent signs of unhappiness or depression
• Demonstrating anxiety about going to school
• Exhibiting defiance and hostility toward authority figures
• Frequently lying, arguing, stealing, or skipping school
• Using drugs, drinking, or smoking at an early age

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, it’s time for a behavioral health evaluation from your child’s pediatrician.

When you bring your child in for a visit with the pediatrician, a complete medical examination is necessary to make sure there are no underlying medical conditions which may be causing your child’s behavior or making it worse. Your pediatrician may also request additional testing including lab work and other studies.

Your pediatrician will develop a treatment plan designed to help with your child’s behavior. Treatment may include:

• Individual, group, and family counseling
• Lifestyle modification including diet and exercise
• Medication if necessary to modify behavior
• Additional specialty care with a child psychologist

Your child’s behavioral health is just as important as physical health. You want the best for your child, so call your pediatrician today.

Need help controlling your child’s asthma symptoms? Your pediatrician can help.

We know that seeing your child cough, wheeze and have trouble taking a full breath can be more than a little scary, but it’s essential to know that your pediatrician can provide your child with a custom asthma treatment plan that helps get their symptoms under control. Your pediatrician can provide your child with the care and treatment they need to lead rich, healthy lives without being at the mercy of their asthma symptoms.

So, how will your child's doctor treat their asthma?

First, We’ll Create an Action Plan

Your pediatrician can provide you and your child with the adequate asthma control needed to avoid missed school days, sleepless nights and trips to the hospital. Your pediatrician can create a customized action plan just for your child. This action plan is designed to help you and your child get better control over their symptoms.

This plan will have specific instructions on ways to manage your child’s asthma and what to do when symptoms flare up, so you are never confused about what to do when your child starts to notice symptoms or if their symptoms worsen.

Next, We’ll Prescribe Medication

In most cases, your children’s doctors will prescribe two medications to manage childhood asthma. The medications and doses prescribed by your pediatrician will depend on the severity and frequency of your child’s symptoms. The two most commonly used asthma medications include,

• Controlled medication: This is something your child will take every day, even if they feel fine. This medication helps prevent inflammation in the airways and reduces the risk of an attack.
• Fast-acting medication: Even though controlled medication can significantly reduce airway inflammation and the likelihood of attacks, sometimes triggers such as exercise or stress can still exacerbate your child’s asthma symptoms. When you notice the very beginnings of a flare-up, your child must take this fast-acting medication to alleviate symptoms quickly.

We May Recommend a Flu Shot

If your child has ever had to deal with the flu before, you know from firsthand experience that asthma and the flu do not mix! The flu virus can exacerbate asthma symptoms and lead to more severe complications such as pneumonia. This is why your pediatrician may encourage you to get your child vaccinated against the flu every year.