Ear infections are very common in children and are normally caused by bacteria or viruses. The most common ear infections are middle ear infections also referred to as acute otitis media. DEFINITION: An ear infection, or acute otitis media, is defined as the presence of fluid in the middle ear along with symptoms of an [...]
Summertime is time for fun for children but insects can make things miserable, which is why insect bite treatment and prevention are important to know. Not only can insects cause itchy, painful bites, but they can also cause allergic reactions, Lyme disease, impetigo, and infections. It's important to be prepared for the onslaught of insects [...]
Summer water safety is incredibly important because drowning is the second leading cause of death in pediatrics. About 4,000 people drown each year in the USA with about 1,000 deaths in children less than 15 years of age. The male-to-female ratio is 3:1. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the swimming pool [...]
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic and relapsing skin disorder characterized by itching, rash, scaling, thickening, and inflammation of the skin. INCIDENCE: Atopic dermatitis is the most common skin disorder in children. It affects 10%-15% of all children and adolescents. Over 60% of children who have atopic dermatitis will have their first [...]
With summer just around the corner, sun safety and protection is incredibly important. Suntans are generally associated with good health and beauty. The sun, however, can cause a lot of damage. The first 20 years of life are the most important time to avoid excess sun exposure. Most skin cancers develop because of sun exposure [...]
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Named for its high occurrence in Lyme, Connecticut, Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted illness with multiple manifestations. LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS: Lyme disease has early and late symptoms. The early symptoms include: A characteristic rash called erythema migrans. This is a red, round rash that starts small and expands to about [...]
Meningococcal disease is an illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis SYMPTOMS: The symptoms depend on the site of infection. Meningococcus can cause: Flu-like syndrome with congestion Sore throat Malaise Body aches Fever It may also invade the blood stream and cause: Shock Coma Meningococcal meningitis will start with a fever and a stiff neck [...]
What is an upper respiratory infection? It's just a common cold! The peak season for the common cold is during the fall and winter seasons but you can actually catch a cold during springtime as well. Some people are more susceptible to catch a cold during the spring season due to the dramatic changes in [...]
ASTHMA DEFINITION: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs that causes wheezing and/or difficulty breathing. SYMPTOMS: Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest pain Abdominal pain Vomiting CAUSES: Asthma tends to run in families where there is a history of asthma or allergies. Many people who have asthma will have a trigger [...]
What is croup? DEFINITION: Laryngotracheobronchitis, or croup, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract causing difficulty breathing and cough. SYMPTOMS: Fever Congestion Hoarseness Noisy inspiration Barking cough Difficulty breathing CAUSES: Viruses such as: Parainfluenza virus Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Human metapneumo virus Influenza virus CONTAGION: The viruses causing croup are contagious. The symptoms [...]
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