Infection & Disease
Respiratory Syncytial Virus – Old Problem, New Solutions
This article was originally posted last fall. I thought it would be good to update and repost it, as there have been some big changes in the world of RSV since then. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, has long been…
Influenza – Winter’s Recurring Threat
The Influenza virus, usually referred to as “the flu,” causes an illness that affects the respiratory system, particularly the trachea (windpipe) and the lungs. In the United States, Influenza infection occurs from the Fall to the early Spring. There are…
Infection Control in Schools and Childcare Settings
Pediatrics is an area of medicine that is very cyclical – in the summer we see a lot of kids for well child checkups and sports physicals, while in the winter we see lots of respiratory infections like pneumonia, RSV,…
Seasonal Allergies – When It’s “That Time of Year”
The first winter we lived in Austin, Texas, I became well-acquainted with what is locally known as “Cedar fever.” Upon walking outside one morning my eyes immediately swelled up and watered profusely, my nose ran like a faucet, and I…
Measles Outbreaks – Why You Should Protect Your Child
Measles infection (also called rubeola) is caused by a Morbillivirus and is highly contagious. It is spread quickly and easily through respiratory secretions when a person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. It initially infects the respiratory tract but spreads to affect…
Symptoms of Illness: Cold vs Flu
When people describe an illness as “the flu” in my office, it can mean many things. A bad cold, influenza, a gastrointestinal illness. To medical providers, “the flu” always refers to an infection with the Influenza virus. On the contrary,…
Seizures in Children
A seizure occurs when the electrical signals in the brain become disorganized, causing a sudden temporary change in movement, awareness, behavior, and consciousness. They can occur quickly and without warning. The outward or visible manifestation of a seizure depends on…
Lead Exposure – Rare But Important
Heavy metals are a prominent part of our environment. These heavy metals include lead, mercury and arsenic. Unfortunately, most of them also have significant negative effects if ingested in large amounts, or even in smaller amounts that accumulate over time.…
