Tummy bugs: practical tips
When kids have the stomach flu (or gastroenteritis) it can be very frustrating. Not only is it very contagious, but the symptoms are dramatic and it’s hard to know what you can do to help your child feel better. Here are my pediatrician mom tips to get through it like a pro!
RSV bronchiolitis in kids
RSV is a common illness that can be very serious in young babies and the elderly. Here is a guide for what to do and watch for if your child is diagnosed with bronchiolitis, along with answers to common parent FAQs.
Mycoplasma pneumonia in kids
Mycoplasma pneumonia causes prolonged cough, along with fever, fatigue, and other symptoms in kids. We are seeing a lot right now. Here's what parents need to know.
Pneumonia in children
Hearing that your child has pneumonia is scary. Here's an overview of pneumonia in children for parents, written by a pediatrician mom.
Environmental allergies: treatment for kids
Environmental and seasonal allergies can be so disruptive and uncomfortable. The good news is that there are many OTC treatment options available, but filtering through and figuring out the right one for your child is tricky. Here is a simple explanation of the best medication for your child’s specific allergy symptom.
Seasonal allergies
Allergies occur when our immune systems overreact to triggers. Antibodies called Immunoglobulin E cause mast cells to release histamine, which then triggers symptoms. Some children are predisposed to allergies. They tend to run in “atopic” families (which means families with asthma and eczema as well as allergies). But it is possible to develop allergies even without a known family history.
Test to Treat program
Home Test to Treat is a nationwide program providing free testing, telehealth and treatment. Regardless of insurance status, anyone with a current positive COVID-19 test may enroll for free telehealth treatment. Read more here.
What to expect this winter
No one has a crystal ball. But here are my predictions for whether this respiratory season will be as bad as last year.
The after school melt-down
The adjustment to school can be tough, and many children struggle with big feelings in the afternoons after they come home. This is normal. Here’s why - and here are some tips.
Your child’s immunity: what to know
Now that school is starting, many parents start to worry about how to make sure their children stay healthy. This is when the immune boosting companies swoop in. Here’s the real scoop on immunity in children.
Hand, Foot & Mouth
Hand, Foot & Mouth is a viral illness that most children encounter eventually. There is no treatment except time, but there are many things you can do to help your child through it. This post covers what parents need to know, plus practical tips!
What green snot means
Have you ever been told that green mucus or green snot means you have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics? This is a common misconception. Yes, mucus color can be a helpful piece of information. But it is not a diagnostic piece of information - it is just one piece of a puzzle.
The Lingering Cough
Why does a cough linger after an upper respiratory infection? Here are some of the possible causes, their signs and symptoms and when you should go back to the pediatrician.
Fevers: a simple explanation
Increasing the body’s core temperature makes the body’s immune response more effective. Although the fever is not a cause for alarm, it is still true that whatever infection or process is causing the fever could be concerning, so we don’t ignore fevers.
Croup
Kids with croup sound like they swallowed a seal. Croup is the name given to the cough caused by a narrowing upper airway. In many cases, this is caused by infection, but there are many other possible causes as well. The tell-tale barky cough and stridor are a result of air passing through the narrowed upper airway (larynx, trachea).