Resources
- Family doctor tips on caring for children with respiratory symptoms (OCFP)
- Available in multiple languages including French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Hindi, Farsi, Tamil, Portuguese, Arabic, Urdu, Italian and Spanish.
- Managing respiratory illnesses in kids (COVID-19 Community of Practice for Ontario Family Physicians) (watch the recording)
- Pediatric Acetaminophen Using Tablets
- Therapeutic alternatives to amoxicillin for common pediatric conditions (Canadian Pharmacists Association)
- Guidance for clinical assessment centres: Clinical support for COVID-19, febrile respiratory and influenza-like illness (Ontario Health)
- Tip Sheet on Common Respiratory Conditions in Children and Dr. Tasha Stoltz’s associated presentation (recording, slide deck, resource list, and Q&A).
- See the CEP’s Managing Fall/Winter Season — Therapeutics for information based on current guidelines for Tamiflu® use from Public Health Ontario and Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada.
- The OMA has developed this letter template you can use to encourage your patients to get vaccinated and this new Focused COVID-19 Communication patient resource explains boosters.
COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics
CCFCCs or COVID, Cold, and Flu Care Clinics are medical clinics that can test, assess, and provide treatment for people with COVID-19 and other cold and flu-like illnesses. To help us explain CCFCCs to our patients, Ontario Health has put together some plain-language messaging (please share widely!).
The McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) CCFCC, under the name “Flu, COVID and Cold Clinic,” opened on December 12, 2022. You can find additional details about the clinic on their website. Please note that while this CCFCC is a walk-in clinic for patients 17 and younger, patients are encouraged to contact their primary care provider first.
Flu Shots
Pediatric flu shots are now available at the Hamilton Public Health Services Mountain Vaccine Clinic at LimeRidge Mall (999 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton). This walk-in service is open to all community members aged six months and older. The clinic is open Monday-Friday with the clinic’s final day of administering vaccines on December 21, 2022.
As a reminder, patients can find local locations to receive their flu shot, including pop-up clinics with pediatric vaccines, at hamilton.ca/flu.
Virtual Appointment (phone or video)
Do they just need a COVID swab and have non concerning viral symptoms? No need to be assessed in person office – get caregiver to perform rapid test if they have access to one and assume and act as though COVID until swab obtained i.e., 10 days of isolation. Virtual follow-up as clinically indicated.
Concerning acute symptoms needing in-person exam, but low suspicion due to COVID – in person assessment with full PPE.
Concerning acute symptoms needing in person exam, but high suspicion due to COVID – in person assessment with full PPE – given illness trajectory consider whether emergent transport to ED required for in person assessment.
Red flags for in person assessments of infants and children
- Diarrhea and vomiting + has no tears, dry mouth, or is not peeing.
- Baby under three months of age has a fever over 38oC or 100.4oF.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Non blanching rash
- Fever and/or is difficult to rouse/very sleepy
- Significant fall/injury
- Assessment of infants/newborns for acute or routine care