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Flu Shots Available

Flu Shots are currently available. Please call our office to schedule your appointment. The flu vaccine will be billed to insurance for our patients. Cost of Flu Vaccine for parents and caregivers is $40 and will be administered based on availability. Payment is due at the time of service and will not be billed to insurance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is making the following recommendations:

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
For the 2018-2019 season, the AAP recommends inactivated (Flu Shot) influenza vaccine (IIV3/4) as the primary choice for all children because the effectiveness of intranasal Flu Mist (LAIV4);

was inferior against A/H1N1 during past seasons; and
is unknown against A/H1N1 for this upcoming season.

Based on this recommendation, we are not offering intranasal Flu Mist for the 2018-2019 Flu Season.

Elizabeth Nelson, FNP-C

We are pleased to announce the addition of Elizabeth "Liz" Nelson, FNP-C to our Providers. Liz is board certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She earned her Bachelor's Degree of Science in Biology form Virginia Tech in 2012, her Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing from Marymount University in 2014 and her Master's in Family Nursing from George Mason University in 2018. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Liz spent over a year at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital on an adult Medical-Surgical unit before coming to Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates in 2015 where she worked as a nurse while completing her Master's degree. Liz was born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia and was actually a patient of Dr. Barakat's here at Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates. She lives in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband, cat and dog.

Holiday Greetings!

The office will close 1:00 pm, December 24 (no afternoon walk-in clinic) and will be closed on Tuesday, December 25, 2018. Urgent, sick appointments for Monday can be made by calling our triage nurse from 9 a.m. to noon. No walk-in hours are available on December 25. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Holiday Hours
(No Walk In Clinic)

As always, please call to schedule an appointment or to speak with a nurse to determine whether an appointment is necessary.
Holiday Hours are reserved for URGENT sick and by appointment only.
Thank you.

Change in Lab Scheduling

Until further notice, walk-in appointments for lab work are limited. To ensure that your child will be seen, we ask that you call to schedule an appointment. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your assistance regarding this matter.

Online Care Advice Now Available!

Introducing Keona Health!

SAVE TIME! No more waiting on hold or playing phone tag!
Keona Health is online Care Advice that can be easily accessed from your PC or mobile device. Receive answers quickly (during office hours) via phone or secure email. Please click here to set up your account.

TEXT REMINDER ALERTS

To Receive Text Appointment Alerts; Text NOVAPEDS to 622622 Please be sure your cell number is on file.

Zika Virus / Insect Repellants

With mosquito season beginning and concerns about Zika virus, please remember to take appropriate precautions including dressing in long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Use insect repellant on exposed areas of the body reapplying every few hours. Eliminate standing water in and around your house. For more information Zika virus, please click here. For more information on insect repellants, please click here.

URGENT! Insurance Updates Needed!

We are continuously striving to make the filing of your insurance as seamless as possible. Our latest system update requires that we have the primary insurance holder's date of birth on file. Please check with our front desk to verify this information is in our system. If you are not accompanying your child to their appointment, please ensure this information is provided to whomever is. If this information is not on file, claims will be not be able to be submitted. In addition, if you have received a new insurance card since your last appointment, let the front desk know.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter!.

If you have any questions or would like to update this information prior to coming into the office, you may reach our billing department at 703-532-4446 and choosing option 5

Allergies

Spring, summer and fall, seasonal allergies are very common. Symptoms include itchy, watery red eyes; sneezing; clear runny nose; and an itchy palate or throat. Common triggers are trees in the spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall.

Over the counter medications which are quite effective and non-sedating are now available for children over the age of two. These include Nasacort (Triamcinolone Acetonide), Claritin (Loratadine) and for children four and up, Flonase (Fluticasone).

If you think your child has seasonal allergies and he or she is not responding to medication OR if you are not sure, please make an appointment with our office. Many children do not require allergy testing if they respond well to treatment with medication as needed.

Along with maintaining proper medication, reducing exposure to allergens can greatly decrease the effects of seasonal allergies;

Keep windows closed in home and autos. Use air conditioning when needed and available.
Use cool compress on eyes several times a day.
Remove pollen carried in and on body by changing clothing and showering daily.
Change bed linens every other day.
Dust and vacuum when those affected by allergies are not at home.(Ideally with an 8 hour window of return).

For more information on Seasonal Allergies, click here https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Seasonal-Allergies-in-Children.aspx

For more information on Allergies, click here https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Allergy-Causes.aspx

For more information on Hay Fever Triggers, click here https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Hay-Fever-Help.aspx

Super Hero Fridays!

Super Hero Fridays! Dress up as your favorite Super Hero or wear your favorite Super Hero t-shirt to your Friday appointment and have your picture taken with our "Super Hero" staff!

Tick Testing Policy

The overall risk of infection with Lyme disease after a recognized deer tick bite in our area is 1 - 3%. The risk is extremely low after brief attachment of less than 18 hours (flat, non-engorged tick) and gets higher after 36 hours of attachment. After reviewing the recent recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, it was determined that analysis of a tick for Lyme disease infection is not helpful. During the early stages of Lyme disease (first four weeks of infection), diagnosis is best made clinically by recognizing the rash around the site of a recent tick bite. Other symptoms such a fever, fatigue, headache, mild neck stiffness, joint pain and muscle pain may accompany the rash. During this phase, blood tests are insensitive and are not routinely recommended. Preventative antibiotics after a deer tick bite are also not routinely recommended in young children. Please, talk to your doctors if you have additional questions or concerns.

Our Mission

Nurse Line

Keona Health

Extended Walk In Hours

Flu Shots Available

Elizabeth Nelson, FNP-C

Holiday Greetings!

Change in Lab Scheduling

Online Care Advice Now Available!

TEXT REMINDER ALERTS

Zika Virus / Insect Repellants

URGENT! Insurance Updates Needed!

Allergies

Super Hero Fridays!

Tick Testing Policy

Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates

Providing The Highest Standards Of Healthcare For Children

Cold & Cough

Your First Visit

Wheelchair Accessibility