Dr. Mike Papciak

No whining, complaining, or making excuses. Parenting advice and observations from 40+ years of being a pediatrician.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Praise a child loudly; correct a child softly.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

All of us want to know lately what to do if we are sick. If you have a fever and a cold stay home until fever-free. If you are getting worse by day 3 get a Covid test. If positive, isolate until fever and is gone and symptoms are better. Always get tested if you are high risk.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) also known as “winter blues” happens when days get shorter and can lead to sadness, lethargy, craving sweets, and at times depression. It can affect 5-10% of adults. “Defeating SAD” by Norman Rosenthal, MD is a excellent book about treatment.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We have so much to be thankful for including father-in-law, Bob, who turns 101 today🙂! We are blessed.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Many children have had repeated Covid infections and they seem to be the most susceptible to symptoms of long Covid like fatigue, weight loss, sleep problems, and headaches. Testing and treatment is available now for all ages.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

China has lifted all Covid mitigation and stopped reporting cases and deaths in spite of widespread BA.7. infections. Next week the US will begin having travelers coming from China show proof of a negative PCR. New subvariant XBB.1.5 is now spreading rapidly in the NE U.S.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Thanksgiving increased close contacts and we are now seeing an increase in sick kids and adults with hospitalizations reaching a 10 year high. RSV, influenza, and Covid variants again are all responsible for this surge. It’s not too late to get your shots. Use masks in crowds.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Visiting friends and relatives during the holidays always includes some anxiety about sickness and what to do. If a family member has a fever today with cold or flu symptoms they will still be contagious on Thanksgiving and should not be around elderly or high risk individuals.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Pfizer and BioNTech announced results of their ongoing clinical study that neutralizing antibody titers increased dramatically to the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants after a booster dose of the currently available bivalent vaccine. Get protected for the expected holiday surge.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

It looks like we are headed for a Covid surge around the holiday season. Some countries like Germany are having their highest hospitalization rate since Covid-19 started. The BQ.1.1 sub-variant is in the Northeast US now and is 25% of new cases. Get the fall booster.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Enterovirus D68(EV-D68) is already here. It is a flu-like disease with low fever and cough. Most kids recover but rarely it can lead to acute flaccid myelitis(AFM) which may cause a polio-like paralysis. There is no vaccine. Wash hands before meals. Use masks with indoor crowds.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

The numbers and severity of Covid are improving but with 400 deaths per day in the U.S. we are still not done with the pandemic. The Omicron sub-variant, BA.4.6, is the predominant strain now and can be prevented with the Covid-19 bivalent booster. Get the shot, and then relax.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

There is now an uptick in Covid disease just like the past two years in the fall. This is because of school and college starts as well as “back to the office” and daycare. The new Omicron variant booster is available and the best way to protect over age 12. Use masks in crowds.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

After many years of pediatric practice I have decided to begin a new adventure at Life Hope Pediatric Center in Alpharetta, GA. I will be caring for previous patients as well as new and helping build a multi-specialty medical center. Check us out at https://t.co/kiGO0UJb0E.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

4 diseases are increasing in numbers and need our attention. Polio and monkeypox in NYC. E.Coli in the midwest from romaine lettuce and a new variant of Omicron BA.4.6. Make sure kids are up to date on polio shots, everyone wash hands before eating, and use masks when in crowds.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Back to school and we are still dealing with the BA.5 variant. If symptomatic do a home or at-school antigen test. If kids are sick they need to stay home and remain there until testing negative to prevent spread. Kids don’t wear masks properly. Schools need to stay open.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Monkeypox cases are increasing in the U.S. with New York having the most. Rash, fever, and flu like symptoms. Transmission through body fluids and intimate contact with contaminated person. Thorough shower as soon as possible after using a group swimming pool or around crowds.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Cases of the omicron variant BA.5 are now surging in the U.S. Even if fully vaccinated you can still catch this extremely contagious variant and hospitalizations and admissions have increased. Thankfully it has not increased deaths. Use masks now with all crowds indoors and out.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

The US now has about one million cases per day of the variant BA.5 of the Omicron strain that surged during the winter. Transmission is high and there are about 400 deaths per day. A new variant BA.2.75 is now in India. It seems this will be the pattern so be smart and prepared.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

BA.4/5 is the latest variant and is causing new infections and reinfections world wide. It is a very transmissible Omicron mutation that even affects those vaccinated. In the US 35% of new infections are now BA.4/5. Use common sense protections. Avoid indoor crowds unless masked.

[Dr. Mike Papciak @MikePapsMD]

Monkey Pox now reported in 15 states. Younger people who have never had smallpox vaccinations are most likely to get the disease. It begins like the flu with fever, aches, and small bubble rash and lasts 2-4 weeks and can be serious. Transmission from sores and body fluids.