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Dr. Mary Beth Lopat-Winter has started caring for patients at the Island Office. Dr. Mary Beth, joined Tonawanda Pediatrics in 1995. She was voted the Best Pediatrician by the Tonawanda News in 2000. Appointments for Dr. Mary Beth can be booked by calling either the Tonawanda or Island offices.
Expanded Hours
Recently office hours were expanded until 5 PM on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Wednesdays and Thursdays the office is open until 6 PM. The office continues to welcome new patients.
We are busy learning our new computer system. We look forward to using electronic medical records to improve ease of access to your children's medical history and improve communication. The system more efficiently fills prescriptions and lab and x-ray orders. We will maintain all paper records, but slowly phase each child's information into a complete electronic record. Paper print outs of immunization records and school forms are still available. Please bear with us as we learn about and adapt to our new systems.
So what has your
family had? Aside from the
typical coughs, colds and sore throats always seen this time of year,
there has been an unusually high amount of viral gastroenteritis
(stomach “flu”) since mid November. This is usually a springtime illness so we will see what happens
in March. Most illnesses
have only lasted 3-4 days although sometimes the diarrhea may linger
longer. The best treatment
for these intestinal illnesses is to try and rest the bowels for a day
then get back onto normal food and drink. Encourage “starchy” foods to firm things
up. Have fluids available to drink if your child wants but do not
“force” fluids on your child. Drinking
too much will prolong diarrhea. Sore throats are
always common this time of year. In
December, exactly half of the sore throats we saw were virus infections
and half were Strep Bacteria. In
the summer only 10% of the infections may be Strep. If your child has a significant sore throat for more than a day
during the winter it is best to have them checked for Strep. Call
us anytime if you have any concerns with your sick child.
Illness and Child Care Programs
Mild infectious illnesses among infants and toddlers, especially those attending out-of-home child care, are fairly common throughout the winter and spring. Infectious organisms (germs) can be spread from one person to another through direct touch, or through contact with mucous or saliva from a cough or sneeze. Young children are more likely to contract these illnesses because of the immaturity of their immune system (the body's defense system against germs). Children in child care settings are even more prone to acquire infectious organisms that easily spread from one person to another. Though it seems the odds are against your child never getting sick, there are simple and effective ways to prevent serious illness and to limit the frequency of mild illness throughout the "cold and flu" season.
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