Clearing up Fears With Facts - From Covid19 to Kawasaki|POF45

It’s mid May, 2020 and things are starting to open back up as the global quarantine ends and restrictions are removed. BUT this is leading to new fears about sending kids back to school and daycare and new fears are emerging about Kawasaki Disease. Fears and rumours are swarming about a new illness that’s affecting children, but we don’t yet understand it. My guest is Pediatrician, Dr. James Lewis who is here to clear up the fears with facts about what the medical community knows and doesn’t know …yet. Dr. Lewis talks about medical fears, how doctors will handle returning patients, the emotional strain on kids and parents and how we will need to handle kids going back to school.

About Dr. James Lewis Dr. James Lewis, a Professor of Pediatrics at the Joan C Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, is board certified in both Pediatrics and the sub-specialty of Neurodevelopment Disabilities.

In 1983, he and his family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, to join the Department of Pediatrics at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University. He practiced both general and behavioral pediatrics and cared for hospitalized newborns, children and adolescents. In 2002 he developed the School Solutions Center at the University, devoting his practice exclusively to children with school and behavioral problems. He continues to see new patients who have been referred for evaluation and follow-up care on a daily basis, teach medical students and train pediatric residents. Throughout the process, he successfully employs a parent-centered multidisciplinary team following the medical home model.

Dr. Lewis lectures regularly on ADHD and coexisting conditions to parents and professionals. He has presented his research interests in ADHD and its association with autism, anxiety, parental stress, learning disabilities and adverse childhood experiences at national and state meetings of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Pediatric Academic Society, the Learning Disability Association of America, the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and CHADD. He has published more than 25 scholarly journal articles, book chapters, and scientific abstracts.

He is currently the Chairman of the West Virginia AAP Committee for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Foster Care. He was also awarded West Virginia’s first five-year, Healthy Tomorrows grant from 2007 to 2012 to coordinate medical care, with a focus on ADHD, for homeless children. Dr. Lewis also received the inaugural Abraham Finkelstein Resident Teaching Award and two Special Recognition Awards from the AAP. Dr. Lewis and his wife Libby, have six grown children including twins, all with careers in medicine or teaching. Two of the boys have ADHD with associated educational and behavioral issues. They are particularly proud of their three grandchildren and are happy to provide pictures on request.

From the Podcast:

If you are worried about your child being sick, the first thing to check is their temperature. A high fever for over 24 hours is a big concern. Seek medical attention if that happens.

The new coronavirus like illness being seen in children is still being studied. It is similar to, but not Kawasaki Disease. Dr. Lewis wants to reassure parents that there are very few cases and that the top medical experts around the world are on it so not to panic.

Dr. Lewis recommends the following tips to a healthy and happy home life during this time: • Have a regular schedule – get your kids up at the same time each day • Be optimistic – a recent study of kids in China has shown those who had an optimistic outlook were able to be less depressed or anxious compared to other children their age who were not optimistic • Time to connect with your kids – join them in an activity they think is fun (don’t just spend time with them doing school work!) • Take time to take care of YOU – this is essential! • Reach out to talk to other adults – you need the support of your community and if you are stressed talking it out with someone will help you.

Dr. Lewis recommends parents check Healthychildren.org for up to date facts and information.

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