Masking in our Offices
Masks will now be optional for patients and guests. Masking is encouraged under the following circumstances:
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days;
- You are experiencing symptoms* of a respiratory illness;
- You have a healthcare provider recommendation or personal preference to wear a mask.
*Cough or shortness of breath, fever or chills, new muscle aches, change in taste or smell.
Respiratory Virus Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published a respiratory virus guidance to consider if you or your child are diagnosed with COVID-19, influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
When You May Have a Respiratory Virus
- Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren’t better explained by another cause.
- These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
When to Return to Normal Activities
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
- If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older should get at least 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.
We currently have COVID-19 vaccines available at our Hampton and Portsmouth offices.
COVID-19 Testing
Pediatric Associates has same-day in-house molecular/PCR testing capabilities in our Hampton & Portsmouth offices.
Any COVID-19 PCRs that cannot be run in office will be sent out to Seacoast Pathology for processing.
If you have further questions about testing, please call our offices.
If your child tests positive on an at-home antigen test, consider this a true positive and send us a photo through the patient portal so that we can document your child’s COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 Treatments and Medications
The FDA has authorized antiviral medications to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. The most common oral antiviral – a pill that stops the virus that causes COVID-19 from making copies of itself in your body – is called Paxlovid.
- Who is eligible for Paxlovid? Adults and children (12 years of age and older, weighing at least 88 pounds), who are at high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 and who have mild to moderate symptoms.
- When should your child use Paxlovid? If eligible, your child should start using oral antivirals as soon as possible – no later than 5 days after their first symptoms appear. These pills are taken at home two times a day for 5 days.
- How can you get Paxlovid for your child? Paxlovid is available with a prescription from a health care provider and through the Test to Treat program. It may also be prescribed by a state-licensed pharmacist.
Because your child’s symptoms, medical history, and list of current medications must be reviewed by a medical provider, we require a televisit at minimum before prescribing Paxlovid. This provides us with the opportunity to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit CDC or the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
COVID-19: What Families Need to Know (via HealthyChildren.org)
COVID Vaccine Checklist for Kids (via HealthyChildren.org)
Last updated 6/9/24
