Sathish Adigopula, MD

12/27/2024

04/08/2024

https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/programs/solar-glasses-distribution

Sending Solar Glasses to Build CommunityAstronomers Without Borders has been sending solar glasses for annular and total solar eclipse since 2008. From Africa, Asia, North and South America, our members, partners and National Coordinators helped to bring glasses to people who may not otherwise have....

06/28/2023

Air Pollution in Ashtabula

Everyone in ‘Bula by now would have realized that there is “something in the air”.

Yesterday evening (06/27/23) the AQI (Air Quality Index) was 150, and this morning it has increased to 180.

With the AQI above 150, the American Lung Association advices everyone to limit strenuous outdoor exercise.

This advice is for everyone, but especially important for children, elderly, and people with respiratory illness like asthma, COPD, emphysema, anyone over 65, anyone who exercises or works outdoors or has diabetes or cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure, or has suffered a heart attack or stroke.

Even healthy adults who exercise or work outdoors can be harmed. Changing what you do on these bad air days can reduce the risk of being harmed.

What can we do mitigate effects of the current poor air quality

- The health effects of pollution are worsened over extended periods of exposure, and by the deep, rapid breathing that accompanies exercise. Stay away from high-traffic areas, and do not exercise near those areas.

Stay safe and breathe easy.

02/19/2022

Similac Formula Recall (What we know as of 02/18/2022 to the best of my knowledge)

Formulas Potentially affected (Powder only - not readymade formula)
1. Similac Advance, Similac Pro-Advance
2. Similac Alimentum
3. Similac Sensitive
4. Similac Total Comfort
If you have any of the above formulas, go to the following website to check if the Lot number matches the recall. (The lot number can be found on the bottom of the can)
https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/home.html

The recalled formula Lot numbers should have (all 3 of the following)
First two digits are 22 through 37, AND
Code on the container contains “K8,” “SH,” or “Z2,” AND
Use-by date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later

If you have a recalled Lot with you, don’t feed that to your child - return it to the store or discard it

Formula is one of the most regulated food in the United States and is commonly very safe. This recall is a testament to the care FDA takes to ensure formula is closely monitored. As of now, no formula sample has been found to have contamination.
They found evidence of Cronobacter in the manufacturing plant and not in the formula. But out of abundance of caution the company is recalling the formula.

What to do if your child has been feeding on the Recall lot of formula
Stop further feeding this to the baby and start alternate formula (of same brand or another brand) that is not in the recall list.
If baby has diarrhea along with fever, poor feeding or excessive crying or low energy than usual contact your physician
Coronobacter infection is rare but in children lesser than 3 months of age, can be dangerous.

Even though infant formula has not been found to be contaminated with coronobacter, if your baby is less than 3 months old, or was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system, you may want to take additional steps to decrease chances of infection against Cronobacter:
• Clean work surfaces, such as countertops and sinks.
• Boil water and let it cool for a few minutes (but don’t let it drop below 158°F/70°C) before pouring it into a clean and sterilized feeding cup with a lid or into a bottle.
• Add the exact amount of formula listed on the container, and carefully shake the bottle rather than stirring the mixture.
• Immediately cool the formula to body temperature to ensure it is not too hot before feeding your baby. Run the prepared, capped bottle under cool water or place it into an ice bath. Do not let the cooling water get into the bottle or on the ni**le.
• Before feeding the baby, test the formula’s temperature by putting a few drops on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm, not hot.
(https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/infection-and-infants.html)

If you are looking for alternate brands of formula:
1. Alternatives for Similac Advance, Similac Pro-Advance

Enfamil Neuropro
Enfamil Enspire
Ge**er Good Start
Parent’s Choice Infant
Parent’s Choice Advantage
Target Infant
Target Advantage
Sam’s Club Infant
Sam’s Club Advantage

2. Alternatives for Similac Alimentum

Enfamil Nutramigen
Ge**er Extensive HA
Parent’s Choice - Hypoallergenic
Target Hypoallergenic
Well Beginnings Hypoallergenic

3. Alternatives for Elecare

Enfamil PurAmino
Nutrica Neocate
Nestle Alfamino

3. Alternatives for Similac Sensitive

Enfamil Sensitive
Ge**er Good Start Soothe
Parent’s Choice Sensitivity
Target Sensitivity
-Soy based formula like Similac Isomil, Enfamil ProSobee or Ge**er Good Start Soy or Parent’s Choice Soy, Target Soy may also work

4. Alternatives for Similac Total Comfort

Enfamil Gentelese
Ge**er Good Start Gentle
Parent’s Choice Complete Comfort
Parent’s Choice Gentle
Target Complete Comfort
Target Gentle

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE YOUR OWN FORMULA

-Sathish Adigopula MD (Information accurate as of 02/18/2022)

Learn what steps you can take to protect your baby getting sick.

11/03/2021

Pfizer COVID vaccine for 5-11 year old children.

With the Pfizer Covid Vaccine authorized for 5-11 year old children in the US, I am breaking down the information from FDA, we have as of today, 11/02/2021.

Safety:
2250 Participants in the initial study of which 1518 received the vaccine and they were followed up for 2 months after the second dose. Additional 1500 children received the vaccine and were checked for safety of the vaccine.

Side effects:
More common - pain, tiredness, headache, muscle pain and chills- all of these side effects are due to the reactogenicity of the vaccine - that is the vaccine is making the body believe that it has an infection and the body reacts by producing the antibodies. This process causes these side effects.

*To put it mildy - the side effects mean the vaccine is working*

Rash and lymph node enlargement are other minor side effects that subside within a week of the vaccine.

NO CASES OF MYOCARDITIS/PERICARDITIS - inflammation around the heart or in the heart after 3000 children were given 2 doses of the vaccine.

No blood clots, no other inflammation noted

No Serious Adverse Event related to the vaccine noted in this age group with this dose of the vaccine

Effectiveness:
7 days after the 2nd dose the vaccine is at least 90% effective (even against the Delta variant)


Why to vaccinate:
143 Covid related deaths and 1.8 million confirmed Covid cases in children 5-

08/10/2021

https://youtu.be/_xWRUpgLlJ0

Ashtabula County Medical Center Pediatrician Sathish Adigopula, MD, discusses the research and other details about the COVID-19 vaccine.

03/27/2020

Virtual visits
The pediatric clinic is an essential medical service and will remain open during the COVID-19 Stay in place order in Ohio.

During this time we are trying to keep unwell children, as much as possible, at home. And we are converting the visits for illnesses into virtual consultation visits.

We are scheduling virtual visits.

Process for virtual visit:
1. Call to schedule appointment or we may call you to convert appropriate visits into virtual visits

2. We will text you when the physician is in the “virtual room”

3. You click on the link sent to you in the text message to join the “virtual room” for a tele-health conference.

4. If we deem physical examination is necessary to accurately diagnose and treat, we may ask you to come into the clinic.

5. Like usual, all prescription will be e-prescribed to a pharmacy of your choice.

Stay home and stay safe. Try to decrease exposure to crowds.
Wash your hands and avoid touching your face.
Continue practicing social distancing (6 feet apart).

We are continuing to see children for well child visits so that the children can be appropriately immunization and are not at risk of contracting other dangerous and contagious preventable illnesses.

Sathish Adigopula MD

03/13/2020

COVID 19 - Corona Virus disease of 2019

School closure in Ohio due to risk of Corona virus spread

I am seeing a lot of questions on social media about the need for school closure as children do not seem to be the most affected by COVID 19.
The school closure is not just for the health benefit of the children, it is also for the benefit of their grandparents and the others with lower immunity they may come in contact with inside and outside school.

Why schools?
Any place where a lot of people congregate in close settings (school, church etc) would be a great place for spreading germs. If a single person with the infection attends school, by the end of the day, multiple children are going to take the virus home to their parents, siblings, elderly and vulnerable grandparents, other vulnerable people with lower immunity- and then COVID 19 would spread faster and further and deadlier too.

We only have few cases, why the panic?
Attempt to prevent the spread before it has spread would be a better option than to close the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Why did we not panic as much with influenza
Influenza has been around for much longer and most humans have some form of immunity to fight the infection. But COVID-19 is new to our body and the body doesn’t have immunity against this specific virus.

What to do to protect against infection?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
* Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
* Through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Protect oneself
* Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing or visiting public place)
* If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with least 60% alcohol. Cover hands and rub together till they feel dry.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid close contact with others who may be sick (cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath)

Protect others
* Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
* Throw used tissues in the trash.
* Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Face masks
Wear a facemask if you are sick
* If you are sick - wear a facemask when around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before entering healthcare office.
* If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, BUT people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room
* If you are NOT sick: No need to wear a facemask unless caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask).

Clean and disinfect
* Cleaning - removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
* Disinfecting - using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
* Clean and disinfect daily high-touch surfaces in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets)
* If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
* As much as possible, an ill person should stay in a specific room and specific bathroom away from other people in their home
* If a separate bathroom is not available, clean and disinfect after each use by the ill person. If this is not possible, wait as long as practical after use by an ill person to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces.

And you do not need to hoard toilet paper! 😂

- Sathish Adigopula MD
Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is accurate as of posting. If any changes obtained, will update.

01/15/2020

RSV
RSV is a common virus that causes common cold like symptoms. For for the very young and elderly people it may cause irritation in the lungs and some build up of fluid in the lungs. (Bronchiolitis). Children younger than 2 years of age are the more vulnerable for the illness.

Usually young children may have
* Runny nose
* Decrease in feeding
* Coughing
* Sneezing
* Fever
* Wheezing
* Vomiting with coughing

Transmission is usually through droplets from coughing or sneezing. These droplet can cause infection through eyes, nose, or mouth, or if we touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch our face before washing our hands. Additionally, it can spread through direct contact like kissing the face of a child with RSV. Lots of hand washing with soap and water is recommended.

There are no medications to treat the infection as this is a virus. The main stay of managment is to keep the child hydrated and comfortable.

Nasal saline spray and suction to clear nose and a Humidifier helps. Medication to decrease fever - Tylenol or Ibuprofen (more than 6 m of age).

We need to make sure the child is hydrated and breathing comfortably. Check for urination regularly at least 3-4 times a day.

Breathing difficulty may show up with different symptoms
Breathing fast
Breathing hard and heavy
Breathing shallow
Appearing tired with breathing
Retraction under the ribs, above the breast bone or even nodding head with each breath.

If worsening respirations or decreased feeding or high fever bring to physician.

- Sathish Adigopula MD

01/02/2020

Influenza is on the rise and children are going to go back to school soon.

Tips to prevent infection with influenza and other airborne viruses.

1. Vaccinate to prevent
2. Cover nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing
3. Wash hands with soap and water
4. Wipe down frequently touched objects with disposable wipes
5. Objects that cannot be wiped need to be washed or put away for more than 24-48 hours before reusing.
6. Quarantine the sick and do not send them to school (or work without appropriate barrier when sick)
7. Spraying disinfectant doesn’t cover the full surface so may provide false sense of security
8. Vaccinate. (Most important step)
9. If sick see your physician
10. Over use of disinfectant spray or wipes can cause increasing distress to children with allergies, asthma, reactive airway disease, young babies. So use effectively.
More isn’t always better.

12/29/2019

http://www.chadhayesmd.com/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-why-not-to-take-your-child-to-the-emergency-room/

Let me preface this post by saying that I have spent the last few weeks working in the pediatric emergency room–and I love it. It’s a well-equipped facility with a team of highly qualif…