
While tetanus can cause some serious symptoms including “lockjaw," it is completely preventable with a vaccination. The DTaP vaccine is used to prevent tetanus (along with diphtheria and pertussis) and your child will get their first series of shots at 2, 4, and 6 months. Your child will also need another tetanus shot between the ages of 15 to 18 months old and between 4-6 years old.
Most children will develop symptoms within two weeks of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms of tetanus include,
- Painful and severe muscle spasms
- Shoulder, jaw, and neck stiffness
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Rapid heart rate
- Fever
Do your part to stop the spread of coronavirus among children and teens.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the country, it’s important that we make our best efforts to keep our families safe and reduce the spread of the virus in our communities. The hardest part is knowing when one might be exposed, especially when children may be asymptomatic yet capable of sharing the infection. We are providing testing for our patients, using both a quick antigen test performed on-site with results within a few hours, and the more sensitive PCR test which is sent to the reference lab and may take a few days to get a result. However, prevention is the best medicine and there are familiar routines we advocate that can help.
Wash Your Hands
Nothing works better than hand washing. It is most effective when using soap, washing the front and back of the hands, and doing it for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice). If there isn’t soap and water available, make sure that your child has access to hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol. Then have them wash their hands properly when possible.
Wear a Mask
Wearing a face mask over your nose and mouth dramatically reduces the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask when out in public or in any group setting outside of your home down to age 5, and younger if they are willing and able. This is a big commitment and, for some, an inconvenience, but even if it reduces the likelihood of spread by 10%, it can save lives. Help your kids get used to and feel good about wearing a mask. Put one on their favorite stuffed animal. Praise them for their good behavior. Find fun and interesting masks that they can choose and feel good about wearing.
Keep Your Distance
There is no more effective way to prevent infection or spread of the virus than social distancing. That starts with staying at home more, at least until we see this pandemic recede. If you are in a group setting, the common advice of a 6-foot perimeter and limited numbers of people in gatherings is the smart way to go. If you are not in contact with infected people-and many do not know they are infected and spreading the virus because they are asymptomatic-you will not get it!
When to get tested
There are many situations where testing for COVID-19 is appropriate and even required. If you are notified that someone you or your child was around has tested positive, testing should be considered. It is important to know who in your household is at high risk for severe disease and to understand how to deal with a positive test. Our offices are available for telemedicine visits (virtual visits from your home or other location) and we can provide testing in the offices and offer “curbside” services at our Fairfax, Herndon, and Aldie locations. Please call the office to arrange an appointment and we will accommodate your needs as quickly and conveniently as possible.
If you have questions about COVID testing or any of the other services we offer, simply call us at (703) 573-2432.


- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- A popping or snapping sound at the moment of impact or injury
- Trouble straightening out the limb or affected area
- Unable to put weight on the area
- Limited range of motion or unable to move normally
First, your pediatrician will run X-rays to determine the location and severity of the break. Your doctor will place a splint or cast around the broken bone to provide support and stabilization and to restrict certain movements that could impede healing.

- Increased urgency to urinate, even if there is no output
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- A decreased output of urine
- Children may complain of a burning sensation when urinating
- Older children may complain of lower stomach or back pain
- Younger children may cry when urinating
- Wetting the bed
If your child is showing symptoms of a UTI you must see your pediatrician right away. A simple urine sample is all that’s needed to be able to detect the presence of bacteria. We can examine the urine sample under the microscope and provide results in a matter of minutes. The kind of bacteria that’s present will help us determine the type of antibiotics we will prescribe.
It’s important to seek treatment right away, as untreated UTIs can lead to more serious problems including kidney infections, abscesses, and sepsis. Your pediatrician can prescribe antibiotics. Your child should also be getting plenty of fluids during the course of their treatment to help flush out bacteria.
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