Vaccines and the immune system
Pediatricians tell you over and over that you need vaccines, or immunizations, that they are important, and that we can give several of them at a time. What we don’t always tell you is how they work, or why it’s…
Pediatric FAQs for ordinary people
Discussion about kids and their care in plain language
Pediatricians tell you over and over that you need vaccines, or immunizations, that they are important, and that we can give several of them at a time. What we don’t always tell you is how they work, or why it’s…
Tetanus. Something we’ve all been getting immunizations for for years, but nobody really takes it seriously. Does it even happen anymore? Why do we give shots for it, anyway? What is tetanus? Tetanus is caused by toxins hidden in…
What is Group B Strep (GBS), and why is my OB concerned about it? GBS is one of the types of strep bacteria that can cause infection in humans. It can occasionally live on and in our bodies and not…
There’s been a lot of reports in the media and concern from scientists and healthcare workers lately about the measles virus. In fact, this year is the biggest outbreak we’ve had since 1992, and the year is not over yet.…
Acute gastroenteritis, also known as AGE to pediatricians and stomach flu to many parents, is the bane of all. It can cause belly ache, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea in varying quantities and combinations. It can last anywhere from 12…
Fever, the fear of many parents, but it shouldn’t be. Fever is actually your friend. I swear. First, what is a fever? That answer can vary. We like to say that normal body temperature is 98.6F, and that technically…
The bane of many a parent and child is the inner ear infection. Most people know it as just ‘ear infection,’ as opposed to an infection of the ear canal (swimmer’s ear). What is an ear infection? An…
Well, it’s getting there, anyway. In my area there has already been positive flu tests in our ERs and in some clinics, including mine. What is the flu? Flu is caused by the influenza virus. Viruses in general, and…
As school starts in and kids spend more and more time inside in close groups we start thinking about school time illnesses. One of the most common is strep. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes some combination…