The single best way to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated each year.

Flu season is almost here.  Sunset’s flu clinic will begin Monday, September 16^th.  You will be able to schedule your children’s flu shots on our patient portal starting Monday, September 9^th!   To request portal access, fill out the forms found here.  You can also give us a call at 503-296-7800 to set up an appointment for your children.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  You are most likely to catch the flu from someone in your household. Children, especially those younger than 5 years, are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others. Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

You are most likely to catch the flu from someone in your household and children are most likely to give the flu to other children in your home. The flu is most common during the fall and winter. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February.

Here are some signs and symptoms of the flu to keep an eye out for:

• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. Sunset is pleased to offer quadrivalent, preservative-free flu vaccines. Our friendly medical staff is familiar with each of our families and their medical history, helping your child get the correct dose of the vaccine.

This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

Summertime is the season for scrapes and cuts. It seems almost impossible for an active child to avoid them! When a hug from mom or dad isn’t enough, read below to find some tips on how to help wounds heal properly (all information gathered from the AAP’s Healthy Children website).

What is the best way to treat a small cut or scrape?

Almost all active bleeding can be stopped by applying direct pressure with clean gauze or cloth over the site for five or ten minutes. The most common mistake is interrupting the pressure too early to peek at the wound. 

• Once bleeding stops: Gently wash the wound with soap and water for five minutes. If your child persistently objects, try soaking the wound in the bathtub. Cleaning the wound will decrease the chance of infection and prevent dark spots caused by dirt trapped in the skin.
• After cleaning: Apply a small amount of antibacterial ointment to keep the wound moist and cover it with a dry gauze or bandage until healed.

How do I know whether my child needs stitches?

Here are some guidelines to help you determine whether stitches are needed:

• Cuts that go all the way through the skin may benefit from stitches.
• Any cut that is gaping open with visible dark red muscle or yellowish fat should probably be closed, even if it is small.
• Any cut that is gaping and is more than ½ inch long should probably be closed. Get a ruler and measure it if you are not sure. Cuts smaller than this may not require closure, but if they are gaping, then it is best to have them checked out.
• Small cuts that are not gaping may not require actual stitches but may still benefit from steri-strips.
• If your child has a cut that is deep, gaping, or in a cosmetically sensitive area, call your pediatrician to determine if stitches are needed.

What are the options available nowadays for closing a small cut?

• Skin glue was approved for use in 1998 and has become very popular. It is applied by rubbing it over the cut while the cut is being held closed. It is a good choice for straight cuts and is quick and painless. If done well, the cosmetic outcome is the same as stitches. However, it cannot be used to close a wound that has any tension on it from muscle usage. This is because skin glue is not as strong as stitches and, when used in areas of tension, the risk of the cut reopening is high.
• Steri-strips (or “butterfly” bandage closures) are narrow adhesive strips placed over a cut, with a bit of tension to keep it closed. They are used for small cuts that are not very deep or over a joint or areas of tension. If they stay in place for at least three days, the outcome can be just as good as stitches. However, they are not as strong as stitches and do not stay in place well.
• Stitches provide more strength and little to no risk of being pulled off too soon. However, they can be traumatic due to the time and pain involved in putting them in. Absorbable sutures are stitches that do NOT need to be removed. Non-absorbable sutures are stitches that need to be removed, usually 5-12 days later, depending on the location.
• Staples are most often used for cuts in the scalp (within the hair). They are very fast and close the cut almost as well as stitches.

My child has a scar that seems to be getting bigger. Should I be concerned?

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a scar might not look as good as you want it to. Most of the time, this is a cosmetic issue. Occasionally, there are medical problems that can arise. If you suspect your child’s scar is getting bigger, talk to your child’s pediatrician. You may be referred to a specialist to see if treatment is needed.

As always, in the case of an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately. This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.

This year’s celebration will feature our brand-new Children’s Day Passport!  The passport has all sorts of wonderful information, helpful tips and fun activities that children can complete over their summer vacation. Get a copy for each of your children and work together to complete all the activities inside.

Stop by our office to get your copy or download the passport here!
Be sure to print the passport in booklet mode.

Completed passports are due by August 16^th.  From the completed submissions, we will be drawing a random winners to receive a special prize from their doctor! Upload your completed passports by clicking here or by going to www.sunsetpediatrics.com/passport-submission.

While the passport is geared for younger kiddos, we didn’t forget about our teenage friends! The doctors at Sunset are challenging their teenage patients to complete our photo scavenger hunt. Check off each activity on the scavenger hunt, take a photo and tag us on Instagram @sunsetpediatrics. We will also be drawing random winners from the teen submissions to receive a cool prize from their doctor!

Download a copy of the teen scavenger hunt here!

We are thankful for the support of the following participants:
(Check out some of their great resources by clicking the links below)

Beaverton City Library

Portland Children’s Museum
Family Access Pass Application – English/Spanish
Access Play events – English/Spanish
Building Bridges Festival

NW Regional ESD – EI/ECSE Program
Program Information

Lice Knowing You
Lice Prevention Tips

Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education (MIKE)
Food Scavenger Hunt

Providence Children’s Health
Circle by Providence is a parenting and pregnancy app. Text CIRCLE to 43199 to download.

Shriner’s Hospitals for Children
Walk-in Fracture & Sports Injury Clinic

The Hello Foundation

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue

Washington County WIC
Program Information

The Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation (Q-Corp) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of health care in Oregon by leading community collaborations and producing unbiased information. They work with members of our community – including consumers, providers, employers, policymakers and health insurers – to improve the health of all Oregonians.

Here’s how we compare to other clinics in Oregon:

Visit Q-corps’ website to view more information at http://www.q-corp.org/compare-your-care