The more you know about H1N1 (swine) influenza the better you can protect your children from the disease and treat them effectively should they become ill. Even the experts do not have all the answers. This is a new virus, one never seen before. Ongoing worldwide surveillance indicates that H1N1 is presently (mid September) less […]
Children/Sandy Beaches/Sand Boxes/Illness
Are there any fun activities left for kids to do, activities that are healthy, safe and wholesome, where parents need not constantly restrain children’s imaginations and exuberance with that annoying, killjoy utterance, “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?” Can you believe that playing in sand may be […]
Travel/Children/Bedbugs
The odds of your family returning home from a vacation with bedbugs are extremely small – but steadily increasing. Bedbugs have been known for centuries. But in recent decades they have kept a low profile, restricting themselves to mostly seedy establishments. No more. They are popping up all over the world, sometimes in the plushest […]
Children/Well Water/Illnesses
Make sure that your kids drink safe water when attending camp, traveling, hiking, camping and picnicking, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Such summer activities often expose kids (and you) to facilities where well water is used. Here is what you should know: 1. Many rural wells are private (as opposed to municipal) […]
Summer/Children/Outdoor Health and Safety
Here are ten of the most healthful tips from the forty topics posted in the past year: 1. June is the month for maximum sun exposure. In June, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is closest to Earth, straight above you, and there are more hours of sunshine, all increasing exposure. Weather is generally cooler […]
Special Report No. 2: Swine flu influenza/Infants and children/Prevention
This is our second report on the current swine flu outbreak. Here are the latest recommendations for protecting your children from becoming ill. · Keep events in perspective. In the U.S., in “mild” flu seasons, about 20,000 children under the age of five years are hospitalized with proven flu. Most of these children are under […]
Special Report: Swine Flu/Children
Note: This article was written on Sunday, April 26, 2009. It summarizes information available to date. However, today’s information may be obsolete tomorrow if more cases surface and as ongoing laboratory results are evaluated. Check dates of any material you read. The largest confirmed outbreak, eight cases, has occurred among students in one high school […]
Children/Animal-Related Illnesses
1. No animal is totally predictable – and neither are children. Two-thirds of dogs that bite children had no history of aggressive behavior. Even breeds that make “excellent pets” may bite. Toddlers may innocently incite dogs by suddenly running towards them, arms flailing and making happy noises – behavior that animals may interpret as threatening. […]