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13Jun2023

Health Matters 10 Diseases to Prepare for as a First-Year Parent

Becoming a parent for the first time is a thrilling and joyful experience, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility, particularly regarding your child’s health. As a new parent, you must be aware of the prevalent illnesses that can affect infants in their first year of life. By becoming familiar with these diseases, you will be better prepared to recognize their symptoms, seek appropriate medical care, and take preventative measures. In this blog post, we will discuss ten diseases that first-year parents should be prepared to manage and offer advice on how to do so.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a prevalent respiratory infection in infants and young children. It causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and congestion. In severe instances, it may result in bronchitis or pneumonia. To prevent RSV, practice proper hygiene, avoid exposing your infant to ill individuals, and maintain a clean environment for your child.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. It is frequently caused by bacterial or viral infections. Frequent handwashing, appropriate food handling, and maintaining a clean environment can aid in preventing the spread of this disease.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD is a viral illness that affects young children predominantly. Symptoms include fever, sore pharynx, and a rash on the hands, feet, and mouth. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding intimate contact with infected people, can reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Infections of the Ear

Ear infections are common in infants and adolescents. They frequently occur after a respiratory infection and can cause ear irritation, fever, and agitation. Ear infections can be prevented by breastfeeding, avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, and practicing excellent hygiene.

Common Cold

The common cold is caused by a viral infection and is characterized by runny nose, wheezing, and mild fever. By practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding crowded places, and maintaining a clean environment for your infant, you can reduce the likelihood that he or she will acquire a cold.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe complications in infants. Annual flu vaccinations, excellent hygiene, and avoiding close contact with sick people are essential for preventing influenza.

Croup

Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that causes a barking cough and respiratory difficulties. Croup can be prevented by keeping your baby’s environment clean, using a humidifier, and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the eye, the conjunctiva. It causes eye redness, irritation, and discharge. Good hygiene, avoiding the sharing of personal items, and prompt medical attention can aid in the management and prevention of conjunctivitis.

Thrush

Thrush is a prevalent fungal infection that affects infants. It appears on the tongue and inside the mouth as white regions. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene for your infant, sterilizing pacifiers and bottles, and, if necessary, seeking medical treatment can help prevent and treat thrush.

Respiratory Tract Infections (Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia)

Respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia can cause difficulty breathing, fever, and wheezing in infants. Practicing proper hygiene, avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, and maintaining a clean and secure living environment can help reduce the likelihood of contracting these infections.

As a first-year parent, it is crucial that you are familiar with the common maladies that can affect your infant. By becoming familiar with these ten diseases and implementing preventive measures, you can protect your child’s health and ensure a joyful and healthy first year of life. Remember, if your infant displays any concerning symptoms, it is always advisable to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
20Oct2020

Protecting Your Child from Influenza This Year

Protecting your child from influenza is important every year but is even more important this year with the added concerns of COVID-19 still swirling across the United States. Those who are already sick with influenza may find it even more difficult to fend off a COVID-19 infection and could end up with more serious health concerns. Additionally, it is important to decrease as much work for medical teams around the country as possible to free up resources for fighting the novel coronavirus. Here are a few ways that you can protect your child this fall and winter.

First and most importantly, be sure that your child receives an influenza vaccine.

October is an excellent month to get this shot as it should last through the rest of the influenza season. However, even if your child does not get the shot this month, your doctor will still be able to give it in later months. According to the CDC, very young children, especially those younger than 5, are at high risk of developing serious complications should they develop influenza. Your child can receive an immunization as long as he is at least six months old.

Second, you can still take numerous steps to prevent an outbreak of influenza in your family even after family members get the influenza vaccine.

Stay away from sick family members and friends, and stay at home yourself if you are feeling under the weather.

Teach your child to cover his coughs and sneezes with a tissue or his arm. Tell him to wash his hands for at least 30 seconds after blowing his nose. Singing Happy Birthday while washing up can be an easy way to measure the correct amount of time.

Although it can be difficult for children to keep their hands away from their faces, it is vitally important for reducing the spread of germs. In particular, encourage them to stop rubbing their eyes.

Finally, be sure to keep frequently touched surfaces in your home clean and disinfected at all times.

This is particularly important if someone in your family is sick, but it should be done regularly even when you all are healthy. Use disinfecting wipes or sprays to clean doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and faucet handles.

If your child still needs an influenza vaccine this season, contact Kids 1st Pediatrics to set up an appointment time.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
13Oct2020

What You Need to Know About Pink Eye

Although not a terrible health risk in most cases, pink eye is still something that most parents will gladly avoid. It is highly contagious and can create much discomfort and eye drainage. Because of this, if your child is diagnosed with pink eye, he will likely need to spend time on his own at home recuperating before heading back out to school or sports.

If you are not sure whether your child actually has pink eye, there are a few common signs you can look for before getting your pediatrician’s opinion. The eye will most likely appear pink or reddened. Your child may spend a lot of time rubbing his eye or may complain that it feels as if something is in his eye. Another clear indicator of pink eye is a watery discharge along with a yellow or green-tinged discharge that can crust the eye shut during sleep.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should bring your child into Kids 1st Pediatrics as soon as possible to get an official diagnosis. With treatment, pink eye can clear up quickly. Without treatment, however, your child may remain contagious for two weeks.

Treatment for Pink Eye

Many cases of pink eye are caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotic eyedrops. It can be difficult to put eyedrops in your child’s eyes. However, even if his eyes are closed, you can drop the ointment into the corners of his eyes, where it will flow into the correct spot as soon as he blinks his eyes open. After using antibiotics for 24 hours, your child will not be contagious any longer and will be able to return to school and his other usual activities.

In addition, you will want to keep his eyes clean. Use a warm, wet, soap-free cloth to remove drainage. Your child may find this warmth soothing to his symptoms as well. If your child wears contacts, you will want to switch to glasses for the time being so that the eye does not become reinfected.

In most cases, pink eye should clear up within three days after initiating treatment. If your child is still dealing with the same symptoms, make another appointment with his pediatrician at Kids 1st Pediatrics. In some cases, the infection can spread even further into the eye and may need a different type of treatment.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
28Sep2020

Easing Your Child’s Emotional Stress During This Difficult Time

No one in your generation has ever parented during a pandemic, and you may be wondering where you can turn for expert help. You may not know how to address your child’s questions or fears during this time, and you may find the emotions of your whole family are spiraling out of control. Decreasing emotional stress is particularly important for children whose brains are rapidly developing. However, with all of the changes in the world, your child may feel more worried than ever. Here are a few tips to get both of you through this difficult time.

Encourage Open Sharing

Let your child know that you are open to hearing anything about how she is feeling. Your child needs to know that her feelings are completely normal.

Use Empathy

Tell your child that you understand that she is nervous or anxious and that it is good to talk about these concerns. Reassure your child of all that is being done to keep her safe.

Help Your Child See the Positives

Help your child see how much she can enjoy this special time as a family. If there are new things that you are doing, such as wearing face masks in public or washing your hands more often, find a way to make the experience fun.

Keep Your Child Occupied

Avoid constantly rehashing the negative things that are happening. Keep your child busy with school, imaginative play, or other things she enjoys doing so that she can get her mind off the negatives.

Engage in Fun as a Family

Let this be a special time to do things together as a family. Institute a family game night or turn one evening every week into a pizza and movie night.

Of course, it is not just the current pandemic that may make your child feel anxious and stressed. A serious accident, a natural disaster, or even recurring trouble in the home or at school can leave children wondering where they can turn and how they can deal with their big emotions. While stress is a normal human reaction, it should be dealt with swiftly so that it does not cause long-term harm. If you need any help with this or are concerned about physical or mental symptoms, your child may be exhibiting, set up an appointment at Kids 1st Pediatrics today.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
19Sep2020

Protecting your Asthmatic Child from Common Chemicals

You may already be working hard to protect your child from common asthma triggers, such as seasonal allergens, tobacco smoke, excessive dust in your home, and the dander from household pets. However, what you may not realize is that some of the most common chemicals that you use for cleaning your home may actually be what is causing your child’s difficult breathing episodes. In particular, disinfectants, many of which are being used heavily during these days of COVID-19, can be particularly problematic for children and even adults who already have chronic respiratory issues. Here is how you can ensure that your house stays clean while keeping your loved ones safe.

Use Products As Directed

Be sure you never mix chemicals and disinfectants, and never use more than is recommended on the bottle.

Find Safe Products

Some chemicals are more apt to cause asthma attacks than others are. Try choosing products certified by the EPA’s Safer Choice program, such as those containing hydrogen peroxide or ethyl alcohol. Avoid bleach and ammonia-containing products as well as products with added fragrances.

Improve Household Ventilation While Cleaning

Consider opening doors and windows while cleaning, if possible. You can also turn on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. If possible, install a high-efficiency air filter in your HVAC system.

Clean One Area of the House at a Time

By focusing on a single area at a time and ensuring that your child stays in an area that is not being cleaned, you can keep her away from chemical-laden triggers. If she does happen to experience an asthma attack in a recently cleaned area, move her into an area with better ventilation.

You can recognize an asthma flare-up in your child if she suddenly begins taking quick, shallow breaths or starts wheezing or coughing. If your child has an inhaler for use during flare-ups, you should have her use it immediately. If the problem does not resolve quickly, you will need to seek emergency medical care for your child.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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