Health & Wellness Blog
Topics
- Allergic Reactions
- Anaphylaxis
- Common Cold
- Concussions
- ER vs. Urgent Care
- Fever
- Fevers in Newborns
- Food Allergies
- Hand Hygiene
- Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap & Water
- How to Take a Temperature
- Influenza (Flu)
- Pneumonia
- R.I.C.E. Method
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Reye Syndrome
- Sports Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
Pneumonia in Children
Pneumonia is more common in children younger than 5, and it can range from mild (like mycoplasma pneumonia, also known as "the walking pneumonia") to serious and potentially life-threatening.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Children
While respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may present like the common cold in many healthy children, it can be dangerous in babies and some young children.
Emergency Department (ER) vs. Urgent Care: What Parents Should Know
While true medical emergencies and certain conditions may require a trip to the ER, many minor illnesses and injuries can be safely cared for in an urgent care center.
Flu Vaccine in Children: What Parents Should Know
All children 6 months and up should get the flu vaccine yearly. While some side effects may occur, they are usually mild and infrequent. Learn more here.
Influenza (Flu) in Children
The flu is a highly contagious infection that can cause a sudden high fever at or above 100.4°F (38°C), body aches, cough, and more.
Common Colds in Children
The common cold is one of the most common illnesses among children—in fact, most children will have 8 to 10 colds by the time they’re two years old.
How to Take Your Child’s Temperature
Use the following guidelines to understand how to accurately take your child’s temperature and when to use each type of thermometer (by age).
Fevers in Newborns
While a fever in older babies are signs that the immune system is working properly, a fever in a newborn or infant less than 3 months old is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Reye Syndrome
Reye syndrome is a rare but serious and potentially life-threatening illness that is linked to the use of aspirin and aspirin-containing products in children and teenagers during a viral illness.
Fevers in Children
A fever is a rectal temperature of 100.4℉ (38℃) and higher. It is the body’s appropriate response to an infection and helps stimulate the immune system.
Concussions in Children
Concussions are one of the most common brain injuries, affecting about 2 million children each year. Half of all concussions are the result of a sports injury.
The R.I.C.E. Method
The R.I.C.E. method is typically the first-line treatment for many minor sports injuries and is used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and help speed recovery. R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Sprains and Strains in Children
Older children and adolescents are more prone to sprains and strains than younger children, and they often occur during sports. Fortunately, most sprains and strains in children heal quickly with proper care and physical therapy.
Sports Injuries in Children
The most common sports injuries in children & adolescents include sprains, strains, growth plate irritation (apophysitis), stress fractures, & concussions.
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis in Children
An allergic reaction is when your immune system mistakes a harmless allergen as an invader—and attacks. Sometimes, it can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that occurs suddenly and requires immediate administration of epinephrine.
Food Allergies in Children
A food allergy can be serious and potentially life-threatening. It happens when your body’s immune system mistakes a food as an invader—and attacks.
Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water: Which Is Better?
Handwashing with soap & water is best, however, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is the next-best option whenever soap & water are not available.
Hand Hygiene: Teaching Your Kids to Wash Their Hands
Good hand hygiene is one of the easiest and most important ways we can teach our children to stay healthy. A good rule of thumb to teach your child regarding proper hand hygiene: When in doubt, wash your hands!