2021
November
18,
2021
|
13:30 PM
America/Chicago
Your highly allergic child wakes up sneezing and congested. You think allergies are probably the cause. But if you’re worried about possible COVID-19 infection, an at-home test could help parents know for sure.A variety of brands on the market offer ...
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May
17,
2021
|
14:41 PM
America/Chicago
Fever blisters are the worst.Now that that’s out of the way.They’re painful, not fun to look at and just all around annoying, for everyone, but especially for teenagers.Which is why it’s important that parents and teens know what they are and what tr...
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2020
September
12,
2020
|
12:35 PM
America/Chicago
Generally, I’m not too concerned about the exact number of your child’s temperature. “Felt warm” is usually more than enough for me to know my kid has a fever.
But, like many things in medicine, that has changed in the world of COVID-19.
Ma...
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May
19,
2020
|
14:53 PM
America/Chicago
A rare but serious health condition related to COVID-19 is now affecting children in North Texas. Since May 9, four patients have been treated at Cook Children’s Medical Center for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). The children range in age ...
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May
13,
2020
|
15:42 PM
America/Chicago
Fortunately, kids with COVID-19 have been relatively mildly affected up to this point. However, as we progress through the pandemic, we are learning more about some rare exceptions.
COVID-19 has now been associated with a syndrome in children know...
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May
06,
2020
|
15:23 PM
America/Chicago
"My child has a fever, what could it be?"
Just a quick reminder of my big fever rules. Click the links to learn more:
1. You don’t always have to rush off to the ER for a fever. No matter how high.
2. In a well-appearing child, it’s OK to wa...
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April
13,
2020
|
11:26 AM
America/Chicago
Being a pediatrician during the novel coronavirus pandemic has been interesting, to say the least. I miss my old care-free life, just like you. I miss seeing friends and giving hugs. I miss my patients.
One thing that thankfully keeps me connected...
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March
05,
2020
|
14:50 PM
America/Chicago
Children can run, jump and play for hours and may not share complaints – particularly when their tummies, heads or knees hurt – until after the fun is over.
One of the first things I like to know when ascertaining the seriousness of a child’s cond...
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February
05,
2020
|
08:56 AM
America/Chicago
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the beautiful process of a fever. Yes, I’m a mega-dork for the functions of the human body ... and yes, I think fever is a great thing in most settings.
Fever has been recognized as being around for thousands of y...
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February
05,
2020
|
08:37 AM
America/Chicago
“Make sure your hair is dry.
“Wear shoes outside.”
“Put on your hat.”
Does any of this really matter? Is any of it true?
Between well-meaning friends and family members and the wealth of websites devoted to health, parents are bombarded w...
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January
21,
2020
|
09:12 AM
America/Chicago
I have used a lot of words to tell you not to worry about fever. Fever is your child’s friend. Don’t go to the ER for fever alone. Don’t buy all the fever myths out there.
When should you be worried? The biggest issue is context. You can read the ...
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2019
July
23,
2019
|
09:30 AM
America/Chicago
Previously, I looked at the safety and research of essential oils and children. Today, I will answer more questions asked on my Facebook page.
Effectiveness/General Use
Do they really work or is it a mind over matter thing?
I think that ther...
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June
04,
2019
|
12:32 PM
America/Chicago
I’ve written a lot about fevers in hopes of calming parents’ fears.
But when it comes to newborns, forget everything I’ve always taught you about fever. If an infant has a fever, it is a sign something is wrong and a serious cause for concern
I...
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2018
April
27,
2018
|
09:43 AM
America/Chicago
It’s a classic bit of advice when you child is running fever: Alternate Tylenol and Motrin around the clock to keep their fever down.
But, does it help? Is it necessary?
I personally don’t think so…and here are 4 reasons why:
1. I don’t trea...
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March
07,
2018
|
10:11 AM
America/Chicago
The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a letter warning parents and cheerleaders from 39 states and nine counties that they may have been exposed to mumps at a cheerleading competition last month in Dallas.
The Dallas Morning Ne...
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2017
May
12,
2017
|
10:01 AM
America/Chicago
When I cruised out of pediatric residency kid-free, I thought I knew it all when it came to raising a child. Little did I know how little I knew.
I’d be Terrified the Day my First Child was Born. Guess what? Reading tons of books about the healt...
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2016
December
02,
2016
|
09:30 AM
America/Chicago
If you are staying at the grandparents during the holidays, warn your kids to be ready for the winter checklist from them before they go outside and play.
Make sure your hair is dry.
Wear shoes outside.
Put on your hat.
But does any of th...
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November
10,
2016
|
10:24 AM
America/Chicago
1. All ear pain is an ear infection.
Ear pain can be caused by many different factors. Often kids just play with or point to their ears. If the child is otherwise cranky, sick or not sleeping well, parents will assume there is an ear infection. Ho...
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October
13,
2016
|
16:01 PM
America/Chicago
I try to downplay concerns about fevers. You can read more about that here and here.
Once people have heard my reasoning, they can get on board that fever isn’t as big of a deal as they once thought except for one MAJOR question:
What about feb...
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October
06,
2016
|
14:24 PM
America/Chicago
One of the worst illnesses to take care of as a parent can be a stomach virus. Especially with babies and toddlers, vomit and poop gets everywhere. Also, they just get a look of fear on their face because they don’t understand what is happening.
T...
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April
20,
2016
|
13:24 PM
America/Chicago
If you’re not treating fever right, it could leave your child miserable.
If you make a mistake, it could be harmful.
Myths about fever are common. And, no, you don’t have to go to the ER for fever. Treating a fever at home is often the right th...
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February
02,
2016
|
14:57 PM
America/Chicago
Zika has gained attention from not only the CDC, but the World Health Organization.
Leaders from the Who called Zika a “public health emergency of international concern,” earlier in the week, because how fast the virus is spreading and the continu...
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2015
November
09,
2015
|
09:14 AM
America/Chicago
There is not a topic in pediatric medicine that has more myths surrounding it than fevers.
I hear statements like these:
1. “She must’ve been about 103 because she felt really hot.”
Touching a child to determine if you should check their tem...
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July
27,
2015
|
15:56 PM
America/Chicago
The Texas Department of State Health Services has begun an investigation into the increase of Cyclospora in the state. The DSHS is looking to find a "common source" in determing the cause of infection.
The DSHS has received reports of 205 cases o...
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July
14,
2015
|
09:38 AM
America/Chicago
Your baby has turned blue while teething.
Well, it is not from teething but it could be from the treatment you are using for it.
Fever, congestion, diarrhea, fussiness, putting things in their mouth, not sleeping well, you name it and someone h...
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May
29,
2015
|
10:34 AM
America/Chicago
It’s midnight. You wake up with a tear-streaked face staring at you.
“Mom, my legs hurt.”
It wouldn’t be so concerning except that it’s happening four nights a week, for months. Right?
So, what do you do?
Watch The Doc Smitty in Cook Chil...
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May
18,
2015
|
15:33 PM
America/Chicago
When your dad’s The Doc Smitty, you don’t get to keep the turtle that wanders into your pool (see photo to the right).
Here's why:
There has been an outbreak of severe flu among dogs in the Midwest. Cases of the H3N2 strain have now been seen i...
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2014
December
18,
2014
|
11:29 AM
America/Chicago
This time of year I hear many different opinions about the flu and flu vaccines. Don’t believe the hype, talk to your doctor if you have questions or if you hear something that doesn’t make sense.Flu Myth #1The flu shot can give you the flu.Nope. Not...
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September
17,
2014
|
11:24 AM
America/Chicago
By Lizy Varughese, M.D.
The flu season is upon us once again ... what do you need to know as a parent?
1.What are symptoms of the flu?
The flu may start like the common cold with symptoms of cough, congestion and runny nose, but may also be ...
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March
31,
2014
|
09:30 AM
America/Chicago
Children can run, jump and play for hours and may not share complaints – particularly when their tummies, heads or knees hurt – until after the fun is over.
One of the first things I like to know when ascertaining the seriousness of a child’s cond...
Read more
