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.
Influenza: What parents should know
Influenza is a viral infection that can be caused by different strains of Influenza virus. Although most people recover without incident, similar to COVID-19, certain groups are higher risk for severe illness (and even death): the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and young children (under age 5y - and especially those under 2y).
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.
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.
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!
Strep throat
Strep infections can be serious, but often they are not. In most cases, they are easily treated once the diagnosis is made.
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).
What to try for a cough
I know coughs can be frustrating. But I promise you, your pediatrician isn’t holding out on you with some magical home remedy that they want to keep to themselves.
Hopefully these remedies help, but otherwise the best thing for most coughs is tincture of time.
How to assess your child’s breathing
As mothers and physicians, we really believe in the intangible gut instinct that comes with parenting, and while it is unfortunate that sometimes it falls upon us as parents to be persistent and advocate for our children, this is sometimes the case.