SUMMER IS THE IDEAL TIME FOR ANNUAL SCHOOL PHYSICALS

by: Dr. Amanda Motto

It feels like school just let out and you’re just getting into the rhythm of summer break. The last thing you, and definitely your kids, want to think about is going back to school.

But there’s one part of the backto-school routine you’ll want to tackle before the lazy, hazy days of summer melt into your frantic fall schedule -getting your kids their sports physicals, immunizations and other medical updates.

Dr. Amanda Motto with Terrace Park Family Practice Clinic urges parents to plan ahead. Quad-City area doctors will concur offices are filled in August as parents rush to get the appropriate check-ups completed before school starts. “We prefer they don’t wait until the last minute,” Dr. Motto
said.

Getting a jump on such medical exams not only helps doctors trouble-shoot any possible health problems, but also allows time to find records and complete the medical forms schools require for enrollment.

Dr. Motto advises parents to schedule a specific appointment for physicals and vaccination updates. When a child is in the clinic for another medical reason, the physician’s
schedule may not allow the necessary time for a thorough examination.

Vaccinations for children entering kindergarten will include: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella, or chicken pox vaccination.

Students 10-12 years old typically need an updated DTaP, Meningococcal and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for girls (optional).

When it comes to playing fall sports, Dr. Motto suggests July as the perfect time to schedule sports physicals, as many schools start practice in early August.

“If playing sports is a priority, then make getting the physical early a priority,” she said. “If there are any health problems, an early exam allows doctors to thoroughly investigate
and ultimately protect your child’s health.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds parents to keep up with the vaccinations and boosters required from birth to age 5. Boosters are also required for children ages 10-12, usually as they enter fifth grade.

Dr. Motto also suggests children have annual well-child exams until they are 5 years old. After that, they should get regular check-ups every two years until they’re 18, unless they’re participating in sports. In that case, children need annual exams as well.

“Finally, make sure your child is seeing the appropriate doctor for the appropriate test,” Dr. Motto added. “See your family doctor or pediatrician for physicals, your dentist for dental exams and your eye doctor for your eye exams.”

Drs. Amanda Motto, Melvin Malcolm, Michael Mack, Joseph Brooks, Robert Rees, Billy Nordyke, Karen Swenson and Allison Schebler of Terrace Park Family Practice Clinic are currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (563) 742-4850.