Please call the office to schedule for one of our many flu clinics. We can also give some of the other vaccines at the same time (Hepatitis A, Tdap, Meningococcal vaccine, HPV). Be sure to let us know if you are scheduling more than one type of vaccine.

 Again this year – we will offer influenza vaccine to the PARENTS of our patients with an appointment. The cost is $30 which must be paid prior to receiving the vaccine. We will not bill insurance or balance bill the parent/s for those wishing to receive the vaccine at our office. The $30, which is a discounted fee, is also being offered to our regular patients and will not be billed to insurance upon request.

 People who have certain health problems or those who live in the same household with them should make it a priority to get the vaccine. Household contacts or caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age should also receive the vaccine.

Health problems include:

• Lung disease, including asthma
• Heart disease
• Liver or kidney disease
• Metabolic disease, such as diabetes
• Anyone with a weakened immune system (we request written approval from specialist to receive the flu shot)
• Anemia (including sickle cell) or other blood disorders
• Long-term aspirin treatment for children 6 months thru 18 years
• Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizures or cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems

Wheaton on the Web Today, Wednesday Jan. 12
By: Grace A. Reband
January 12, 2011

Park district offers garden plots, education assistant position, Wheaton pediatrician offers advice, Opera Music Theater presents Hansel and Gretel, Whole Foods hosts homemade bath products session and tweets of the day

Park District Offers Garden Plots via Facebook

The Wheaton Park District has added additional gardening plots for the year 2011 due to high demand. The plots are $25 for residents and $38 for all others and are limited to one plot per family. The 20′ by 30′ plots can now be purchased by Wheaton residents. All non-residents can reserve the plots beginning Jan. 18. For more information please see the Wheaton Park District website.

First Division Museum at Cantigny Seeks Administrative/Education Assistant via Facebook

The First Division Museum at Cantigny seeks to hire an administrative/education assistant. The job responsibilities include: answering phones, participating in professional development, assisting in research and more. The job requires a Bachelor’s degree in Administration, Education, or related field. For more information, or to submit your resume please see the posting.

Wheaton Pediatrician Offers Advice to Help Soothe a Sick Child via News 10 New York

Wheaton pediatrician and father of four Dr. Peter I. Liber advises parents to elavate their child’s head during sleep while their child is sick. According to Liber this will allow the nasal passage to drain out and prevent postnasal drip from turning into a cough.

Opera Music Theater Presents Hansel and Gretel via Wheaton College

This evening, Wheaton College will present the debut of the performance of Hansel and Gretel. Performances are Wednesday, Jan. 12 – Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:30p.m. There will also be a mantinee performance on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 2:30p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.

Whole Foods Hosts Homemade Bath Products Session via Facebook

This Sunday, Jan. 16 the Wheaton Whole Foods will host a homemade bath product session. The session is $15 per person and includes making two bath products.

Wheaton tweets of the day…

@regentcollege Regent College:  “Can God Be Trusted?” Stackhouse speaking at Wheaton in February: http://bit.ly/fMPB7j

@blogfive jose rio: Latest Golf Courses News: http://ireland.golfcoursesworld.com/latest-golf-courses-news-5.html – Cantigny Golf Course, Wheaton…

@BallGrande BallGrande: Chicago Weddings, Chicago Bride and Wedding Planners in Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Suburbs http://bit.ly/dGCck1

@irestaurantjobs Restaurant Jobs:  #Restaurant #Jobs: Patient Tray Line at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (Wheaton, IL) http://bit.ly/e3y2Px

@Tortoiseforum TortoiseForum.org: Tortoise Forum: Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo Sunday Jan 16th Wheaton IL: Our next show is Sunday Jan 16th. Yes … http://bit.ly/eiZ3T8

@mizzoumafia mizzou mafia: JOB – WEB/MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST – for City of Wheaton, IL. Info at http://bit.ly/eVZ6bw (via @SuzNews1)

@GetReEsAgenJobs GetReEsAgenJobs: Leasing Consultant – Wheaton, IL (http://tinyurl.com/4vfv4kn) Get Real Estate Agent Jobs #RealEstateAgent #60187 #jobs

@jobsonlinkupIL jobsonlinkupIL: #Jobs | CNA – Rehabilitation Care Assistant in Wheaton, IL – http://t.linkup.com/i2vv09

http://wheaton.patch.com/articles/wheaton-on-the-web-today-wednesday-jan-12

Care & Comfort: 8 Ways to Soothe a Sick Kid
By: Rachel Meltzer Warren
January 12, 2011

No mom wants her child to feel miserable — and the common cold can really wipe a kid out! Fortunately, combining a few simple moves with time-tested remedies can help ease your little one’s symptoms. So the next time she starts coughing and sneezing, try these savvy tricks to soothe your sick kid in no time.

1. Push an ice pop. “This frozen treat can help soothe a sore throat, plus provide extra fluid to prevent dehydration,” says Dr. Susan Besser, a family physician in Memphis, Tenn., and a mother of six. Giving your child plenty of liquids will also help thin out mucus, making it easier to cough it up.

2. Choose the right remedy. An over-the-counter medication is one of the best ways to relieve cough and cold; just make sure to check the label for age restrictions. A multi-symptom drug is useful in many cases, but don’t assume that it’s a one-size-fits-all treatment. “If your child isn’t experiencing each of the ailments listed on the box, you’re giving her unnecessary meds,” says Besser. “That may cause uncomfortable side effects, like insomnia or nausea.” She advises matching up your child’s specific symptoms with the medicine you give her.

3. Use an extra pillow. “Elevating a child’s head will keep those nasal secretions flowing forward and out of the nose,” says Dr. Peter I. Liber, a pediatrician in Wheaton, Ill., and a father of four. That can prevent postnasal drip from turning into a cough — and help her sleep more soundly.

4. Have a cooldown. While waiting for that acetaminophen or ibuprofen to kick in, a cold washcloth or icy drink can provide relief for a feverish child. Skip the cool bath, though: Liber explains that may raise his core temperature — and actually worsen fever.

5. Soothe with steam. “Adding moisture to the air can help loosen up congestion,” says Besser. Keep a vaporizer or humidifier in your child’s room, and remember to change the water daily to prevent bacteria growth. Or run a hot shower and let her sit in the fogged-up bathroom for up to 15 minutes.

6. Teach good hankie habits. “Clamping your nose with a tissue and blowing forcefully can lead to nosebleeds or even a ruptured eardrum,” cautions Besser. Instruct your child to clear her nose gently. While you’re at it, remind her to toss the tissue in the trash afterwards and wash her hands to avoid spreading germs.

7. Calm with creams. Turns out those mentholated topical ointments and creams your own mom gave you really do work. According to a recent study, sick kids whose parents applied a vapor rub to their chest 30 minutes before bedtime slept better, breathed easier and coughed less throughout the night than those who didn’t. Just make sure to follow the directions on the package, and avoid using in and around the nose.

8. Protect his nose. You can’t always help whether your little guy uses a tissue or his sleeve to wipe his nose. “But you can keep his nostrils from getting red,” says Liber. He suggests applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly beneath his nose and on the outside of his nostrils to keep the skin from becoming chapped.

http://www.snifflesolutions.com/feature/soothe_sick_kid/index.html

Cold & Flu Season
ABC 7 Chicago Morning News
January 3, 2011

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7876445

PRESS RELEASE

How to Keep Your Child’s Skin Glowing in the Winter Weather
Physician from Wheaton Pediatrics Provides Insight on Keeping Moisturized Under Winter Conditions

CHICAGO – December 16, 2010 — Cold winter weather can cause more than just rosy cheeks. Unfortunately, chilly conditions can also bring uncomfortable dryness to your child’s skin, especially on their face, hands and feet.

Just because there is less moisture outside, doesn’t mean your child’s skin has to suffer. There are ways to hydrate their skin and keep the glow, even in the harsh winter weather, according to Dr. Cindy Ambler of Wheaton Pediatrics (55 E. Loop Road, Wheaton, Ill.).

“Skin tends to be drier during winter months because there is less overall humidity in the air,” says Dr. Ambler. “Combine that with a ‘forced air’ heating system inside your home, and your child’s skin can easily become dry, cracked or itchy.”

Dr. Ambler says there are easy ways to help banish your child’s dry skin and give it a boost. She offers the following simple tips:

• Give your child a daily, short bath lasting only 5 to 8 minutes. Try to avoid getting “wrinkled fingers” that result from a long bath.
• When your child gets out of the bath, pat them dry. Do not rub the moisture away.
• Apply moisturizing cream on your child’s skin within 3 minutes of getting them out of the bath to help trap in the moisture.
• Cream that you have to scoop out of a tub or jar is generally better than lotion dispensed by a pump. These “emollients” are thicker than a lotion and help trap moisture, providing a barrier from the harsh dry air.
• Look for products that say “hypoallergenic and fragrance free.” Fragrances can be very drying and irritating to the skin.

Dr. Ambler says dry skin can be kept under control, but under extreme conditions eczema – a skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes —may occur.   Ambler says children with asthma and allergies are more prone to this condition and that over-the-counter topical steroid creams, ointments and other prescribed options can be helpful.  If your child is experiencing persistent dry skin even after implementing the strategies discussed above, Dr. Ambler recommends you contact Wheaton Pediatrics at 630.690.7300.

About Dr. Cynthia R. Ambler, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Dr. Cynthia R. Ambler has been practicing pediatrics since 1997 and has been at Wheaton Pediatrics since 2001. She attended Wheaton College, where she received a degree in Biology. She received her M.D. from Loyola School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society for academic excellence. She completed her residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ambler continued to work for Children’s Memorial as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Highland Park Hospital until she joined Wheaton Pediatrics. She currently serves as an Instructor of Pediatrics in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her professional interests include childhood behavior and development, and pediatric allergy. Dr. Ambler is board certified in pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

About Wheaton Pediatrics, Ltd.

Wheaton Pediatrics, established in 1987, offers a full range of pediatric health services including newborn care, well-child care from birth through college, sick care, hospital care at Central DuPage Hospital, school and sports physicals, referral services for specialists, care for children with special health needs, and care for internationally adopted children.  All Wheaton Pediatrics physicians are board certified and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which signifies a commitment to keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in pediatric care. Wheaton Pediatrics is located at 55 E. Loop Road, Suite 301, in Wheaton Town Square, Wheaton, Ill. To learn more, visit www.wheatonpediatrics.com or call 630.690.7300.

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Fevers, though scary, usually aren’t serious
By: Esther Han
November 29, 2010

It happens to every parent: the digitized numbers on the fancy thermometer screen flash into triple digits and you immediately dive for the phone to call the pediatrician, your mother, maybe the National Guard.

But most fevers aren’t dangerous at all, says Dr. Ruben Rucoba of Wheaton Pediatrics says. In fact, fevers are often a good sign that the immune system is fighting off an infection or some other illness. Here’s what you need to know to cure your fever phobia once and for all.

Temperature ain’t nothin’ but a number

A fever of 100.1 seems much scarier than a fever of 99.9, but don’t get too caught up in the triple-digit panic. Body temperatures have to reach 100.5 degrees or higher in order to be considered a fever, and Dr. Rucoba says children can withstand higher body temperatures, up to 107 degrees before any damage is done to the body or brain. “Many people think that if a fever gets too high, they need to do something or something horrible will happen,” Rucoba says. “That is not the case.”

The illnesses that cause fevers can be serious, but fevers in and of themselves are rarely harmful. “You don’t need to worry about the number on the thermometer,” he says. “You need to worry about your child, what his other symptoms are and how he’s feeling.”

When to worry

Fevers accompanied with more worrisome symptoms, such as headaches, abdominal pain, serious rashes or vomiting are cause for concern. So are fevers that last longer than two days and feverish infants who don’t stop crying, says Rucoba.

What to do

A few simple home remedies the good doctor suggested include a cool washcloth to the forehead or giving him or her cold juice or a popsicle. If it’s a higher temperature fever, an adequate dose of Tylenol, Motrin or Advil can bring the heat down a few degrees, which is enough to make your child feel a lot better, says Rucoba.

This doesn’t mean you can’t go see the doctor if your kid has a fever. Fevers can be uncomfortable, and doctors can provide some relief. But maybe you’ll think twice before lunging at the phone to speed dial your pediatrician (no judgment), calmly remembering you can handle this fever business.

http://www.chicagoparent.com/magazines/web-only/november-2010/fevers,-though-scary,-usually-aren’t-serious

PRESS RELEASE

LEADING PEDIATRICIAN OFFERS PARENTS TIPS FOR HELPING KIDS FIGHT THE FEVER
Dr. Ruben Rucoba of Wheaton Pediatrics Dishes Out His “Fever Facts”

WHEATON, Ill. – November 15, 2010 – Nearly all parents have experienced finding their child flushed, hot and uncomfortable because of a fever. Dr. Ruben Rucoba and the physicians of Wheaton Pediatrics in Wheaton, Ill., can advise parents on what to do when their little one’s forehead feels warm and the thermometer indicates a heightened temperature.

“A fever is the immune system’s natural way of fighting illness,” Dr. Rucoba says.  “It’s mostly caused by infection, and it occurs when the body’s internal thermostat raises the body temperature above its normal level.”

While 98.6 degrees is considered a “normal” temperature, some people run a little hotter or colder by nature, Dr. Rucoba says. Typically, a temperature isn’t considered a real fever until it reaches 100.5 degrees or higher. A child’s body can withstand fairly high fevers, caused by illness, and no damage is done at all to the brain or body unless the temperature is 107 degrees or higher, he says.

“Children tend to run much higher fevers than adults,” says Dr. Rucoba.  “Fevers usually don’t indicate anything serious and actually are seen as a good thing since they’re a sign that your child’s body is fighting infection.”

Dr. Rucoba says that while a fever may not be serious, it can still make your child feel very uncomfortable. For lower-grade fevers, it might be best to let the fever run its course. For higher temperatures, an adequate dose of medicine – acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) – may bring the temperature down a degree or two, and that usually makes a child feel a little better.

Dr. Rucoba says that each child’s fever will vary, and parents should only worry about a fever in the following situations:

• Fevers that don’t have an identifiable cause, as this may be a sign of an infection deeper in the body
• Any fever in an infant less than two months old
• Fevers that don’t seem to go away after a few days of illness
• Fevers that are associated with abdominal pain, headache, neck pain, severe rash or trouble breathing
• A fever caused by incidents of severe overheating (for example, a child left in a car in the summer for too long)

Some children will experience febrile seizures alongside a fever.  Febrile seizures are full-body convulsions caused by high fevers that affect young kids. While these are extremely frightening for the parents, Dr. Rucoba says they are actually quite common and relatively harmless.  About five percent of the population will get one during the ages of six months to six years old.

Wheaton Pediatrics (55 E. Loop Road) asks its patients to notify the office about high fevers so the physicians can determine whether or not the child should visit the office or, in some cases, the emergency room.

About Dr. Ruben J. Rucoba, M.D.
Dr. Ruben J. Rucoba has been practicing pediatrics since 1992 and has been at Wheaton Pediatrics since 1999. A native of the south suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Rucoba attended Loyola University of Chicago, where he earned his degree with honors in English Literature. He received his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Prior working at Wheaton Pediatrics, Dr. Rucoba worked at a community health center in Chicago and at Children’s Memorial Hospital, where he was a faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics, teaching medical students and residents. He is still an Instructor in Pediatrics in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Rucoba speaks Spanish and welcomes the opportunity to care for Spanish-speaking patients. His other professional interests include caring for children with special health care needs and internationally adopted children and their families, for whom he can provide pre-adoption counseling. Dr. Rucoba is board certified in pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

About Wheaton Pediatrics, Ltd.

Wheaton Pediatrics, established in 1987, offers a full range of pediatric health services including newborn care, well-child care from birth through college, sick care, hospital care at Central DuPage Hospital, school and sports physicals, referral services for specialists, care for children with special health needs, and care for internationally adopted children.  All Wheaton Pediatrics physicians are board certified and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which signifies a commitment to keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in pediatric care. Wheaton Pediatrics is located at 55 E. Loop Road, Suite 301, in Wheaton Town Square, Wheaton, Ill. To learn more, visit www.wheatonpediatrics.com or call 630-690-7300.

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Vaccination time: Myths about flu shots dismissed
It doesn’t make you sick; protection won’t wear off for early birds
By: Carol Slezak cslezak@suntimes.com
October 20, 2010

Flu season has arrived. Have you received your shot yet? Have your children received their shots yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

“Getting influenza is no fun,” said Dr. Peter Liber of Wheaton Pediatrics. “An adult will miss a week of work. A child will miss a week of school.”

For those wondering whether or not a flu shot is recommended for them, listen up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has simplified things. Its recommendation: Everyone over 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine. Got that? Everyone.

“This is a nice change because it makes life simple,” Liber said. “And it’s a good public policy. More people will get vaccinated, and that means we’re less likely to have an epidemic.”

In the past, the CDC focused its message on the elderly. But last year’s flu season — both H1N1 and seasonal flu — hit kids hard. Because children are at high risk of developing complications, and because they play a big role in spreading viruses, the CDC is urging parents to have them inoculated.

In an effort to get as many kids inoculated as possible, Wheaton Pediatrics has been offering vaccines to parents, as well.

“We’re doing what we can to get the word out,” Liber said. “Vaccinating your child is one of the most important things a parent can do. And it makes it more palatable if mom is getting one at the same time.”

The vaccine is widely available, and one dose will protect you from seasonal flu and H1N1. So go on, get your shot already. Time’s a wasting.

“There are some misconceptions out there,” Liber said. “Probably the most common one is that you or your child will get sick from the vaccine. It’s not true.

“Another misconception is that it’s too early to get the flu shot, because if the flu hits in February, my protection will have worn off. That’s also not true. Your immunity will last throughout the flu season. That might have been a concern in past years, but new studies show that it lasts.”

The CDC addresses this subject at cdc.gov/flu: Flu vaccination provides protection against the influenza strains contained in the seasonal vaccine for the entire season. Vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine becomes available.

For the needle phobic, there is a nasal form of the vaccine. The nasal form contains a weakened form of live viruses, and is approved for healthy people ages 2-49 (except for pregnant women).

The shot, however, is approved for everyone, including those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

The only caveat: Those who are allergic to eggs, have had a bad reaction to a flu shot or have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving a flu shot should consult their doctor before getting inoculated.

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/mindbody/2815412,FIT-News-flushot20.article

PRESS RELEASE

LEADING PEDIATRICIAN OFFERS PARENTS TIPS FOR FIGHTING THE FLU THIS SEASON
Dr. Peter Liber of Wheaton Pediatrics Provides Key Information on the Influenza Vaccine and How to Stay “Flu-Proof”

WHEATON, Ill. – September 16, 2010 – Fall is officially here, and that means flu season is right around the corner.  Dr. Peter Liber of Wheaton Pediatrics, named one of Chicago Magazine’s “Top Docs” in 2010, wants parents to know just how important influenza vaccines are for boosting children’s immune systems as the cold weather – and germs – start moving in.

Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions.  Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches. Wheaton Pediatrics, 55 E. Loop Rd., Suite 301, in Wheaton, Ill., currently is offering influenza vaccines for its patients six months and older and, for the first time, also is offering the vaccine to the parents of patients.

“Even though anyone can get influenza, the rates of infection are highest among children,” says Dr. Liber. “It’s important for parents to plan for their child to get vaccinated, so they don’t fall victim to the common flu, especially being around other kids at school.”

Dr. Liber says many do not know that there are two types of influenza vaccines to counteract these symptoms.  The first is an inactivated (killed) vaccine, known as the common “flu shot,” which is given by injection directly into the muscle.  The other is a live, attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine, which is sprayed into the nostrils.  For parents seeking answers about the vaccine, Dr. Liber says there are several important things they need to know, even if their children appear to be healthy:

• The experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended universal vaccination of all people older than six months of age.   The vaccinated person not only protects himself or herself, but also decreases the chance that family members will get influenza.
• Influenza viruses are always changing, so be sure that your child gets an annual vaccination.
• Once your child gets the vaccination, it takes up to two weeks until they are fully protected. The vaccination lasts about a year.
• People with a severe egg allergy should not get an influenza vaccine.

Wheaton Pediatrics is now offering influenza vaccines to its patients. To make an appointment, please contact Wheaton Pediatrics at 630.690.7300.

About Dr. Peter Liber

Dr. Peter Liber is the founder of Wheaton Pediatrics and an active member of Chicago’s medical community.  Dr. Liber is on staff at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and currently is president of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America—Illinois Chapter. An instructor in pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Liber also has served as Chairman of Pediatrics at Central Du Page Hospital in Winfield, Ill. Dr. Liber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with honors from the University of Chicago and attended Indiana University Medical School in Bloomington, Ind. Dr. Liber completed this three-year medical residency at Children’s Memorial Hospital in 1987.  In 2008 and 2010, Chicago Magazine named Dr. Liber to its prestigious list of “Top Docs” – the only DuPage County pediatrician on the list.

About Wheaton Pediatrics, Ltd.

Wheaton Pediatrics, established in 1987, offers a full range of pediatric health services including newborn care, well-child care from birth through college, sick care, hospital care at Central DuPage Hospital, school and sports physicals, referral services for specialists, care for children with special health needs, and care for internationally adopted children.  All Wheaton Pediatrics physicians are board certified and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which signifies a commitment to keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in pediatric care. Wheaton Pediatrics is located at 55 E. Loop Road, Suite 301, in Wheaton Town Square, Wheaton, Ill. To learn more, visit www.wheatonpediatrics.com or call 630-690-7300.

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