Medical care has become so fragmented that by the time kids become teens, their medical care may leave a lot to be desired. One my my former parents called this morning to ask what a visiting relative's daughter should have before she attended a local summer sports camp. The woman was rightfully concerned that since she would the one responsible for the teen and her friend that she wanted to be sure no preventable medical problems arose.
This wise mother realized that the first thing she needed was a letter signed by both parents giving her the authority to make emergency medical decisions. These days, if a friend or relative takes a child who is not theirs to a doctor, ER, or hospital, such a letter is imperative. The next thing she wanted to check on was what immunizations were needed. I asked her to be sure the teen and her friend had had meningococcal immunizations. These are crucial for teens because this form of meningitis can be lethal within 24 hours.
The other immunizations that are important for teens are a current diptheria-tetanus injection, as well as Hepatitis A. Also a TB skin test is wise to have to be sure there has been no recent exposure to tuberculosis. I find doctors are not often careful these days about checking to see if immunizations and especially TB tests are current. Thus parents have to be very viligant about watching that immunizations are up to date. Many doctors don't even bother to give TB tests. Yet TB is very present overseas and can easily come to the U.S.with our rapid airline travel. I had a patient referred to me who had Duchenne dystropy. He had recently come from overseas and was found to have active TB once he had arrived. So parents and friends in charge of teens must always be on the alert when they have the life of a teen in their hands.
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