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DRESS RIGHT, PLAY RIGHT FAMILY HEALTH

Properly treating sports injuries includes making FAMILY VACCINATIONS
sure athletes don’t return to play until they’re THIS FALL
completely cleared by the doctor. Requiring
your children to wear properly fitted protective As your child gears up for school or their favorite sport, remember that
equipment is just as important. immunizations are also a vital part of keeping your family well.

“Wearing protective gear can minimize the “Immunizations use your child’s natural immune system to prevent the
effects of sports-related bumps and bruises,” outbreak of disease,” says Christy Peterson, MD, pediatrician at Children’s
Dr. de la Cruz says. “The padding in a football Hospital, Navicent Health. “The evidence that vaccines safely reduce the
helmet, for example, compresses during an impact, incidence of disease is overwhelming.”
reducing damage to the brain. Helmets work best
when they are fitted perfectly to the player’s head.” Vaccines work by imitating a virus or infection. When introduced into the
body, your child’s immune system creates antibodies that fight whatever
Parents and coaches should make sure disease the vaccine is imitating. Whenever your child comes into contact
everybody plays by safety rules, both in practice with the actual disease, their body is prepared to prevent its development.
and during games.
In addition to making sure your children receive proper vaccinations
“Following rules such as not leading with the as they grow—such as those that protect against measles and HPV—it’s
head in football is extremely important,” says important to take your child to a physician for a flu vaccine every year.
Christy Peterson, MD, pediatrician at Children’s CHILDREN’S HEALTH CENTER, NAVICENT HEALTH CAN PROVIDE
Hospital, Navicent Health. “Make sure your YOUR CHILD WITH NEEDED IMMUNIZATIONS. CALL 478-633-7600
child’s coaches are up-to-date on the newest TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
and safest techniques.”
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OFF-SEASON SAFETY
FALL 2017 | navicenthealth.org 5
Injury protection and prevention don’t stop when
the season ends. There are many steps children and
parents can take to keep athletes protected when
they’re off the field, such as signing up for a sports
physical before the season begins and enrolling in
summer conditioning.

“I recommend that all athletes have pre-
participation physical evaluations at least six weeks
before training,” Orr says. “They can also reduce their
risk of injury and improve in-season performance by
staying active during the off-season.”

In addition to staying active, children should eat
a well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables
whether or not they’re actively playing an organized
sport. Nutrition plays an important role in the proper
development of muscles and bones. And healthy
bodies help keep kids moving safely.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Despite taking safety precautions, sports injuries
may still happen. If emergency care is needed,
Pediatric Emergency Center, Navicent Health is
set up to specifically meet the needs of children.
Home to the region’s only pediatric intensive care
unit, Navicent Health is here to help if your child
is injured.

THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CENTER,
PARTNERED WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL,
NAVICENT HEALTH, HELPS CHILDREN WITH
MAJOR SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES. LEARN
MORE AT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG.