Q: What is the best way to take my child's temperature?
Q: When should I worry about my child's fever?
Q: Should I Vaccinate My Child?
Q: What is Thimerosal? Should I be worried?
Q: Whats the best way to protect my child from the sun?
A: Babies under 6 months of age need extra protection from the sun. Babies have sensitive skin that is thinner than adult skin. This causes them to sunburn more easily than an adult. Even babies with naturally darker skin need protection. Since young children are more vulnerable to the sun, here are some specific rules for children younger than 1 year old. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella or the stroller canopy. Dress your baby in clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats with brims that shade the face and cover the ears. If your baby gets a sunburn and is younger than 1 year of age, contact your pediatrician at once - a severe sunburn is an emergency. If you cannot keep your child covered and in the shade, sunscreen can be applied. However, before covering your baby with sunscreen, be sure to apply a small amount to a limited area and watch for any reaction. For children older than 1 year old and all family members, follow these simple rules to protect your family from sunburns now and from skin cancer later in life. Choose sunscreen that is made for children, preferably waterproof. Before covering your child completely, test the sunscreen on your child's back for a reaction. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If a rash develops, talk to your pediatrician. The sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to keep out of the sun during these hours. Zinc oxide, a very effective sunblock, can be used as extra protection on the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and on the shoulders. Use a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The sun's damaging UV rays can bounce back from sand, snow or concrete; so be particularly careful in these areas. Put on sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors - it needs time to work on the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label - it means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Sunscreens should be used for sun protection and not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.
Q: How do I protect my kids from getting bit by mosquitos and keep them safe?
A: Insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels. DEET is not recommended for use on children under 6 months of age. DEET-containing products are the most effective mosquito repellents available. DEET also is effective as a repellent against a variety of other insects, including ticks. It should be used when there is a need to prevent insect-borne disease. The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%. The efficacy of DEET plateaus at a concentration of 30%, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. The major difference in the efficacy of products relates to their duration of action. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. As the concentration of DEET increases, the duration of activity increases; for example, a concentration of about 24% has been shown to provide an average of 5 hours of protection. DEET should not be used in a product that combines the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens often are applied repeatedly because they can be washed off. DEET is not water-soluble and will last up to 8 hours. Repeated application may increase the potential toxic effects of DEET. Apply DEET sparingly on exposed skin; do not use under clothing. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children; avoid applying to areas around the eyes and mouth. Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors; wash treated clothing. Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food. From the AAP Committee on Environmental Health
Q: WHat is the swine flu?
A: Human cases of swine influenza have been reported in the United States, Mexico and other countries during the past week. This new virus is a hybrid, with genetic elements of swine influenza, avian influenza, and human influenza. The Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to the human infections. So far in the U.S., 91 cases have been confirmed, and a 22-month-old child in Texas has died.There is no vaccine to protect humans against swine flu. Because this is a new strain, seasonal flu shots do not protect people, so good hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of germs. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends: • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, • If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands, • Put used tissues in the trash, • Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner, • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, • If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. Adults should not leave home until 7 days after symptoms begin; children should stay home 10 days after the onset of illness. People cannot get swine flu from pork or pork products.
Q: Should I be concerned about the Swine Flu (H1N1)
A: Many people are concerned about the novel H1N1 flu virus. CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from person-to-person, probably like seasonal flu. The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been sick with this virus in the U.S. have recovered at home without treatment. If your child has flu-like symptoms, please keep him or her at home for seven days or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, unless given other instructions by your pediatrician or their staff. If you’d like more information on novel H1N1 flu, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
Q: Will the new H1N1 vaccine be safe, even for children? Are they testing it?
A: CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all children between 6 months and 18 years of age get the novel H1N1 vaccine. This is because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 influenza (flu) in children. They are also in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of spreading the disease. Vaccine trials for the novel H1N1 flu are currently being conducted. You can contact the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is conducting the trials for the vaccines. For more information, please visit the following Web sites: Questions and Answers: Clinical Trials of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccines Conducted by the NIAID-Supported Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/QA/vteuH1N1qa.htm. Once the trials have been completed and more information is known about the vaccine, more information will be available through the CDC. Please continue to check the Flu.gov Web site for the latest information on vaccines. Please note: The H1N1 vaccine is not a replacement for the seasonal flu vaccine. It's important that your child also gets the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in your community. The H1N1 vaccine is to be used with the seasonal flu vaccine. Vaccines, like any medication, can have side effects. But, in general, it's more dangerous to get sick with the virus than it is to get the vaccine. If you have any questions or concerns about whether you, or someone you know, should get the novel H1N1 vaccine, you should talk to a doctor.