"Doc Talks" is here! Dr. Vivi launched this Q & A live stream for you. Hear preventative health tips straight from trusted doctors. Episode 3 will be Wednesday March 3rd at 11 am with Dr. Bill Sears. Dr. Bill will review: 
  • Healthy eating tips for picky eaters and growing children
  • Why is the brain so susceptible to nutrition
  • Five health tips for the brain 
  • How what we think can change how well we think
View at AskDrVivi or Doc Talks on Facebook, or you can see the collection on Dr. Vivi's Youtube Channel. The first episode is a cardiology talk that is only on Facebook at this time. The second episode is a great dental health awareness lecture added to this newsletter. Dr. Vivi learned so much and hopes that you will listen!


Feb 26th 2 pm Dr. Christina Do, Dentist: FAQs and National Children’s Dental Health Month https://www.smiles4oc.com/dr-christina-t-do-costa-mesa/ 

March 3rd 11 am Dr. Bill Sears, Pediatrician: Brain Health and Nutrition https://www.askdrsears.com/about-us/meet-the-sears

March 19th 2 pm Dr. Barry Steinmetz, Pediatric Gastroenterologist: FAQs and Gut Health http://www.socalkidsgi.com/about-us/meet-our-doctors/barry-steinmetz-md/

March TBD Dr. Lino DeGuzman, Gastroenterologist: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month FAQs www.drdeguzman.com

April 14th 12 pm Cathy Johnson M.A., C.C.C, Learning Disabilities http://www.speechlanguageandlearningcenter.net/about-us/

Dr. Neda Zadeh, Geneticist: Genetics and Misconceptions www.geneticscenter.com/about-us/

Dr. Nikta Forghani Pediatric Endocrinologist: Early Puberty and FAQs www.choc.org/providers/endocrinology/nikta-forghani-md/

Dr. Mark Kan Reproductive Fertility Specialists: How to maximize your chances and other FAQs http://newportfertility.com/dr-mark-kan/ 

Dr. Christina Schwindt, Pediatric Allergist: How to avoid allergies and other FAQs https://www.hoag.org/find-a-doctor/s/christina-d-schwindt-md/

Dr. Jessica McMichaels, Pediatric Orthopedist: Bone health, sport injuries and other FAQs https://www.posocortho.com/jessica-mcmichael-md-apos.html

Dr. Robin Steinberg-Epstein, Behavior and Developmental Pediatrician: Signs of Autism and FAQs https://www.thecenter4autism.org/about-us-overview 

Dr. Elias Wehbi, Pediatric Urologist: Bladder health and other FAQs, https://www.choc.org/providers/urology/elias-wehbi-md/

Dr. Aaron Kosins, Plastic Surgeon: Surgical FAQs, Skin care and anti-aging tips https://aaronkosinsmd.com

Dr. David Michalik, Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, COVID19 FAQs https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/david-e-michalik

AND MANY MORE!
Sending your child to school is a question you should be able to answer at this time. If your child is having mental health issues (and MANY ARE) then it is time to consider sending them back. If you see early signs of anxiety or depression, do not wait to see if things improve. Call me and we can make a safe plan to get them back to sports and the classroom.

Some children are thriving at home, but for those who are not, this period is irrevocably imprinted into how they view themselves and navigate the world around them.

If you scroll to the bottom of the OC numbers reported daily, you can track cases and outbreaks in all schools. The risk of infection at school is rare. Doctors assume part of these low numbers has to do with mandatory masking, the ability of desks to be spaced, and good screening measures. Talk to your child to see how important it is to them to return.

Here is a screenshot from my inbox as you may see and hear more Pediatricians taking a stance for return to school:
ARE WE AT THE FINISH LINE??
We are at a critical turning point. If everyone does their part with social distancing, and vaccination is happening, we can get numbers down to a low enough level where we can move on with normal life. Travel for leisure should probably wait a bit especially while the new variants are rampant and vaccine rollout is a mess. BUT there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and people need to wait a little longer (for nonessential things). CDC recs continue to confuse and be misinterpreted or at least interpreted in ways that satisfy what people want to believe or hear. Are you fighting with family over how to arrange the next family gathering? Think about this - no one ever looks back and says "I should have been less careful." They do however say, "I should have been more careful."

I also found this article helpful:

As more people are fully vaccinated, certain activities will become less risky, but experts still recommend holding on to precautions for the near future.
Doc Talks Episode 2: Dental Health Awareness
  • Tips to get your kids to brush AND FLOSS
  • Dispelling the fear of fluoride.
  • Cavities in primary teeth, why care? 
  • When to get a second opinion.
  • Lip and tongue ties explained.
  • X-rays, can you decline when kids are young?
  • When to stop pacifiers and bottles and why. 
DISCUSSIONS on COVID 19

In this recent AAP townhall meeting Dr. Clayton Chau (OCHCA Director) and Dr. Matthew Zahn (OCHCA Medical Director) break down the numbers and where we are headed. It is a heart warming and informative update on the state of affairs locally. Learn about plans to return to school and what we know about the new local variants. We have come a long way!

I also urge all parents to listen to this expert succinctly discuss the COVID19 vaccines and your children. Skip to minutes 2-26. James D. Campbell, MD, MS, FAAP, is the speaker. He is a professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a member of the AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. He describes the different vaccines, the process of developing them, and the timing of the rollout.

Vaccines for children will be here at the very end of 2021 and most likely the first quarter of 2022 says Dr. Fauci.
Please look at the below slide regarding creating a safe vaccine for children. COVID19 is still more deadly for children than most of the other illnesses we vaccinate children for. IT IS ASTOUNDING to see the below numbers since we tend to under appreciate how this disease is affecting the globe.

Cases pass 114 million; deaths exceed 2.5 million
Vaccine Tracker: More than 242 million shots given worldwide
U.S. Spotlight: Hospitalization flare-ups are reminder it’s not over
J&J’s Covid vaccine could protect millions -- if people take it
Vaccine challenge shifts from supply to demand, official says
Pediatric Risk For Severe Infection 
  • age 0–3 months or >20 years
  • preterm birth history
  • immunocompromise
  • gastrointestinal condition
  • diabetes
  • asthma 
  • Elevated CRP

This is from a study of 454 patients identified with SARS-CoV-2. 191 (42.1%) were females, median age 11 years. Fifty-five percent of all patients identified as Hispanic compared with 29% among all hospital visits in 2019 (P < 0.0001). 

Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 in Children
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal: February 1, 2021 - Volume Online First - Issue -
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003
Did you know that your nanny is next up for vaccination? Your child care provider can register at:
They will need to opt in for updates about when they can schedule.
Currently local pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid are vaccinating via online registration. Once alerted via email, these sites will allow for scheduling!

AND.....
Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more of the following severe health conditions:
* Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
* Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
* Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
* Down syndrome
* Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
* Pregnancy
* Sickle cell disease
* Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
* Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
* Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%

OR If as a result of a developmental or other severe high-risk disability one or more of the following applies:
* The individual is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
* Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual's ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
* Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual's disability
Traveling and looking for some protection beyond masking and distance?

Consider these nasal sprays that have a proven anti-viral effect:



I am also happy to provide PPE for patients with a family member exposed or those who need N95s for their profession or travel.

THESE ARE AT NO COST


Please Email if you need anything!


Data is limited and theoretical risk must be weighed against the established benefits. So far CDC, FDA, ACOG, and ABM all recommend vaccination for pregnant and nursing in particular

This is what we have so far...

-Individuals who got pregnant during vaccine trials had no complications from the vaccine

-Pregnant, vaccinated rats did not have any adverse effects on female reproduction, fetal/embryonal development, or postnatal developmental.

-The vaccine mRNA will not reach the baby; it degrades too quickly

-The vaccine is not “live” or “dead” or anything in between, so you won’t get infected with COVID19

-Antibodies do not attack the placenta

-There is no plausible way how the vaccine would cause harm to a breastfed baby

-Pregnant individuals are at higher risk for COVID19 complications

PATIENT SPOTLIGHT:

This photo is Bryan surfing only a few weeks after overcoming COVID19. As an adventure seeking athlete he has endured several injuries during the past year but none have broken his spirit. Bryan’s Tip for making it through these challenging times: “Take this time to find things that interest you. Team sports are great but individual sports and hobbies are fun during the pandemic. You can do sports and hobbies solo or with a friend. I surf, golf, mountain bike, fish, and enjoy photography. All of these things keep me excited for the next day.”
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