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Accepting New Patients

All our providers are accepting new patients.

Camp, School and Sports Forms

Camp, school and medication forms are to be filled out as much as possible prior to submitting either via Keona (preferred) or dropping off* at the office for completion. (If applicable, please be sure to complete medication section). Please also ensure that your child has had a physical exam within 12 months of form request. Some common forms can be downloaded on Keona or found on this website under the forms tab. Once a form is received, it may take between 3 and 5 business days for completion. Forms completed through Keona will be emailed back. You will recieve a call for forms dropped off* when completed unless prior arrangements have been made. There is an administrative charge of $15 per form. Expedited forms are completed within 48 hours with an administrative charge of $25 and same day for a fee of $50.

*Forms can be dropped off, mailed or faxed to 703-532-8426. Due to HIPPA regulations, completed forms may be faxed back upon prior authorization and confirmation that a parent is present to receive the fax.

Please check all forms to confirm the date last physical is required. Patient’s last physical may satisfy requirements and a new physical may not be necessary. Verify and understand your coverage as some insurance companies may not cover a second physical within the same year.

**Some forms also require that a self Tuberculosis Risk Assessment be checked off. Checking off this box prior to dropping off the form will greatly speed up processing time.
Click below for a Tuberculosis Screening Certificate to assist with this process.
https://www.northernvirginiapediatrics.com/PDF/fillable/Form_Tuberculosis-Screening-Certificate.pdf

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) and sumbmit forms anytime via secure email. Please click here to set up your account.

Lactation Consultation

The majority of general breastfeeding and feeding issues can be addressed by one of our Triage Nurses, 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. A link to the AAP can also be found under the resources tab above. For more complex concerns, we are pleased to offer the services of Sally Rader, CPNP-PC, IBCLC. Sally is available for consults in the home, office, or by phone/email. Prices below are fee for service and will not be submitted to insurance. In-home Consult (1 hour): $200 (additional $25 for each 15 minutes over 1 hour). Travel Fee (for locations >15 miles from office): $20. In-office Consult (1 hour): $125. Phone Consult: $15/15 min increment. Please contact Sally at (703) 868-8197 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for advice or to arrange an appointment. All responses will be made within 24 hours. Couples Lactation Classes are also available.

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.

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.

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

Sunblock

All sunblocks function by extending the amount of time it takes for the sun to burn or damage your child’s skin. Infants and young children are very susceptible to sunburns. Consequently reapplication and mechanical protections such as hats, umbrellas etc are imperative as well as avoiding peak sunrays from 10 AM-3 PM. Unscented products containing Zinc or Titanium Oxide are recommended. For more information on sunblock, click below https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx

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.

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Measles, Mumps or Chicken Pox