Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is most often caused by viruses or bacteria. This infection leads to inflammation in the lungs, causing the tiny air sacs (or, alveoli) that are usually filled up with air to fill up with pus and other liquid instead. This can cause many different symptoms, including fever, cough, chest pain, and increased work of breathing (difficulty/labored breathing).

It is important for parents of young children and those with certain high-risk conditions to understand how to recognize the signs and symptoms of pneumonia as well as key prevention strategies available and recommended to help keep their kids healthy and safe.

If you are a parent to an infant or young child, you may have seen or heard of scary headlines or videos on social media about the dangers of RSV in babies and small children. But what is it, how common is it, and do you really need to worry?

It is important for parents of little ones and those with certain underlying conditions to understand the risks of RSV and the steps they can take to prevent it—as well as what to look out for and how to care for their child should they become infected.

It’s late Friday afternoon, and your toddler wakes from their nap cranky with a fever and tugging on their ear. Or your 7-year-old takes a nasty fall at their Sunday soccer game, and you’re concerned that they may have injured their ankle. Your pediatrician’s office is closed for the weekend, and you start to panic—but luckily, there are some general guidelines to help make the decision of what to do and where to go just a little bit easier.

The yearly flu vaccine helps to boost your body’s protection and reduce the risk of serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia or other secondary bacterial infections. It is especially important for young children and those that are considered high-risk. Learn all about this safe and effective way to help prevent the flu and improve outcomes should your child become infected!

Flu season is fast-approaching, and there is much to know about the flu! You may have some questions about how you can help keep your child healthy or what you should do if your child becomes ill. Staying up to date on the latest information is key to successfully (or, at least preparedly) navigating the sick season ahead with little ones. Learn what the flu is and how it affects children—as well as how it may be treated and prevented.

The common cold, or upper respiratory infection (URI), is a viral illness that affects the protective lining of the nose and throat. More than 200 viruses can cause an upper respiratory infection, and it is one of the most common illnesses among children as it is highly contagious.

If your child is ill or feels warm to touch, it is a good idea to take their temperature to check for a fever—especially before they go to school, daycare, sports, or other activities. But with all of the different methods and types of thermometers available, it may be difficult to know which is best to use and when. Use the following guidelines to understand how to take your child’s temperature safely and accurately as well as when to use each method, categorized by age.

Infants younger than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4℉ (38℃) and higher could indicate a dangerous infection and is considered an emergency. These infants require immediate medical attention even if they appear well and show no other signs of illness.

Studies have shown a link between Reye syndrome and the use of aspirin or aspirin-containing products in children and teenagers during a viral illness, most commonly influenza A and B (the flu) and varicella (chickenpox). Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to NOT give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children and teenagers unless instructed by your child’s healthcare provider.

When your child is sick and has a fever, it can be a parent’s first instinct to try to immediately treat and bring down the fever as well as call the pediatrician to be seen right away. While this reaction is understandable—we all just want our kids to be healthy and safe—it may not be necessary. Learning the basics of fevers, including what causes them and what to look out for, can lessen parents’ fears and anxieties and help them confidently care for their children when sick.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. Sports are a major cause of concussions in children. It is important for parents to understand what a concussion is and how it can be recognized so that appropriate treatment and safety measures may be put in place to prevent further injury.

If your child sustains a minor soft-tissue injury (an injury involving the muscles, tendons, or ligaments), think: R.I.C.E.! 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.

With lots of kids starting fall sports these last few weeks, it’s a great time to discuss popular types of sports injuries so that us parents (and our children!) can be well-prepared this sports season. Here we’ll consider two common injuries to look out for including what they are, how they happen, how they’re treated, and, most importantly, how they can be prevented.

Fall sports season is here, and our children are getting fresh air and exercise as well as building valuable skills, confidence, and good sportsmanship. And, most importantly, they’re having fun. But even with all of these benefits of youth sports, sports injuries pose a risk to our children’s health and safety. Nearly one-third of all injuries in children are sports-related injuries. It is important for parents and children to be aware of these risks so that proper measures may be taken to prevent them.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that occurs suddenly and requires immediate administration of epinephrine. Therefore, it is important to understand the different types of symptoms of allergic reactions so that appropriate and prompt intervention and treatment can be initiated.

Understanding food allergies in children is important for not just parents of children with food allergies, but also for any caregivers, teachers, coaches, or anyone else that may be responsible for your child throughout the day. With proper awareness and education, it is possible for your child to properly manage their food allergy and remain healthy and safe whether at home, school, or other activities.

It’s back-to-school season and you’ve taught your child the basics of proper hand hygiene to keep themselves and others healthy . Your child now prefers to use hand sanitizer-only instead of handwashing with soap and water and asks you to place a bottle of “hand sani” on the bathroom sink. You’re proud of their initiative but you can’t help but wonder: Is hand sanitizer alone good enough to ward off the “bad” germs and keep our children healthy?

If your family is anything like mine, back-to-school season means an influx of new germs coming home with your child that can bring on a slew of new colds and illnesses for the entire family. With most schools now in session, now is the perfect time to teach your kids the importance of good hand hygiene to prevent getting themselves—and others—sick.