Arlington Physician News

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:55:09 +0000

The HPV vaccine has recently been recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics for administration to teenage boys as well as girls. Although the main protection concern with this vaccine is for cervical cancer, boys can be silent carriers and share these dangerous strains with their partners. In addition, 2 strains of covered virus cause 90% of venereal warts that are very difficult to treat in the affected areas. Even if males are using physical protection, skin contact may still occur outside of that protection and result in infection. The vaccine is approved for ages 9 to 26, however, we generally recommend starting the 3 shot series between 11 and 14 years of age. Now that the CDC has officially recommended that boys be vaccinated, more of the health plans that initially excluded males from coverage, have reversed that decision. Check with your individual health plan for details on this type of benefit coverage.

Insect Repellents

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:54:19 +0000

Mosquitos are already out and with a mild winter and recent rains they will remain a problem. Repellents with DEET are the most effective, however, DEET can be toxic in excessive use. For younger children a concentration of 7 – 9 % product is the safest. You should put more on their clothes and shoes and less on open skin. Mosquitos will get a whiff of the repellent and leave as they generally will not search for an area of unprotected skin to bite. These lower concentration products often use a finger pump to limit the amount of spray. Older children can use the standard OFF and Cutter type products that are often aerosol sprays. The Deep Woods OFF has an even stronger concentration and should be used very cautiously. Non DEET repellents are available, but tend to work for only 30 minutes and need frequent reapplication for extended outdoor activities.

Sunscreen

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:53:14 +0000

It is already warm and families are making their way out to the zoo, park, and other outdoor activities. Children sunburn easier than adults and lifelong damage to their skin, including increased risk for skin cancer, can be a problem. Infants greater than 6 months of age can use a children’s SPF 30 sunscreen for protection. Children and adolescents can use stronger SPF rated sunscreens, however, the higher rating requires more ingredients and can sometimes be a contact irritant. The SPF rating is supposed to allow you to calculate your protection duration in a non swimming activity, by multiplying your unprotected tolerance time by the SPF number. So if you can routinely stand 30 minutes of exposure, a sunscreen with a SPF of 45 would protect you for 24 hours in a non swimming activity. You need to apply an adequate initial volume of lotion to obtain that full protection. All sunscreens are affected by moisture, perspiration included, so it may need to be reapplied to be safely protected.

Menactra Booster

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:51:30 +0000

A booster dose is now recommended for the Menactra – meningococcal meningitis vaccine for teenagers 5 to 6 years after their first dose. Since most of our patients would receive their first dose between 11 and 12 years of age, the booster would be due between 16 and 17 years of age. The greatest risk from this bacterial infection is to college freshmen living in dormitories, so the booster dose should definitely be given before attending college. All colleges in Texas now require at least one dose of this vaccine, but the student’s best protection is getting the booster at the recommended age.

Important Acetaminophen Update

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:36:37 +0000

McNeil Consumer Healthcare reports that companies are changing the concentration of their medications for infants, and there are new dosing directions for these products. If you have any questions or concerns please discuss them with your pediatrician.

Strep Throat

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:27:57 +0000

Read here to find out how to tell if a sore throat is a virus or a more serious infection. Article published by HealthyChildren.org/American Academy of Pediatrics.

We Have Moved

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:20:36 +0000

Dean Carrington M.D. is now located at 950 N. Davis Dr. Ste 2, Arlington, TX 76012. His phone number is (817) 277-4723. Thomas Leffingwell M.D. is now located at 1406 W. Randol Mill Rd., Arlington, TX 76012. His phone number … Continue reading →

Michael McInnis, M.D.

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:37:04 +0000

Dr. McInnis retired from practice May 1, 2010. If you need to transfer medical records, please send a written request to, Internal Medicine, 950 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, TX 76012.

MDVIP

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:36:35 +0000

Fred Bishop, M.D., Kent Rasmussen, M.D., Michele Burzynski, M.D., Dean Carrington, M.D. and Thomas Lee, M.D. are pleased to announce they have recently transitioned their practices to a personalized health care model. To find out more go to www.mdvip.com.

Walk Program

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:36:12 +0000

We would love to have more patients join our walk program. If you would like to attend, please see the schedule below. We look forward to seeing you there!

Dr. Burzynski’s Walk Group
Where: River Legacy Park: 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd.
Arlington, TX 76006
When: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 6:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Carrington’s Walk Group
Where: The Parks at Arlington: Food Court Area — Near Carousel
3811 South Cooper St.
Arlington, TX 76015
When: Wednesday and Friday
Time: 8:00 a.m.