The Dallas Morning News reports that person from another state who had mumps traveled to Dallas for the National Cheerleaders Association All-Star National Championship, which took place Feb. 23-25 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. 

At this point no Texas residents have developed mumps in connection with the case, but people are urged to watch for symptoms. 

This is another reminder about the value of vaccination in preventing what can be serious illness. Mumps cases decreased 99 percent after the introduction of a successful strategy for vaccination.

Here's a quick look at mumps cases over the years according to the CDC:

*Case count is preliminary and subject to change

** Cases as of Jan. 27, 2018 Case count is preliminary and subject to change

Marc Keralla knew he didn’t have much time left to prepare before taking a shot at his goal. An avid cyclist for 25 years, he’d soon be on his way to St. George, Utah to compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games.

At least that was his plan, anyway.

On Aug. 29, 2016, the Dallas business executive wasn’t feeling his best, but he still made time for a workout at a cycling studio in Richardson. Then it happened.

Carey Cribbs,M.D., an emergency room physician at Cook Children’s Medical Center, had just finished the same workout. Preparing for an Ironman triathlon, she was about to leave the studio for a run when she heard someone yelling.

“I heard ‘Dr. Cribbs, I need you!’” she said. “When I walked out of the locker room, I saw him on the ground.”

Dr. Cribbs says the coach, Richard Wharton, was already on the phone with 911. They knew first responders were on the way, but needed to start CPR immediately.

“I didn’t feel a pulse so I asked Richard if he’d rather do chest compressions or rescue breathing. He said chest compressions, which was good because I’m only 5 feet tall.”

For several minutes, they worked together to keep Marc’s lungs moving and blood pumping until the Richardson Fire Department arrived.

“When the firemen walked in, it was like ‘the cavalry is here!’” said Dr. Cribbs.

The entire ordeal lasted less than 10 minutes, but Dr. Cribbs says it was a totally humbling experience.

“I’ve been an emergency room physician at Cook Children’s for 28 years, but I have never performed CPR out of the hospital before,” said Dr. Cribbs. “It really makes you appreciate our first responders and the things they do to save lives. I’m used to having everything in perfect order and they’re doing this on kitchen floors and parking lots.”

After a shock from a defibrillator, first responders were able to regain Marc’s pulse. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent a quadruple bypass four days later. He says he’s thankful for Dr. Cribbs, his coach and the first responders.

“I later found out that scar tissue from a stent I had put in led to a blockage. I was a ticking time bomb,” said Marc. “It could have happened anywhere. Thank God it happened where it did.”

Marc has since made a full recovery and is back to cycling. In fact, he’s racing in the Dallas Senior Games next week.

On Feb. 10, he was able to share his story with the audience at an award ceremony honoring Dr. Cribbs and Richard Wharton. The Richardson Fire Department gave the two civilian awards for their quick, life-saving action.

Dr. Cribbs says she’d advise everyone to learn CPR.

“It does work. It saves lives and you never know whose life might be next.”

As for Marc, he says it has been a slow process to get his fitness back to the level it was, but he’s still hoping to win the race in Utah one day.

He also hopes he can help others prevent what happened to him.

“Listen to your body. If something is not right, see your doctor.”

Last year, 24 kids died in the U.S. and from 1998 to present, 676 children have died.

“What’s heartbreaking is that this is a serious public health issue that is totally preventable,” said Dana Walraven, Community Health Outreach manager at Cook Children’s and Safe Kids Tarrant County Coordinator. “Every mom and dad out there must realize it can happen to you. Texas leads the nation in child heat-related car deaths.”

Parents may mistakenly think they can safely leave a child in a vehicle for a “quick” errand, but that’s simply not true. Temperatures inside the car can be 20 or more degrees hotter than the temperature outside, rising to dangerous levels in minutes. Unfortunately, it only takes a few minutes for tragedy to occur.

Safe Kids Worldwide says that heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children.

“Heat is much more dangerous to children than it is to adults,” Walraven said. “When left in a hot vehicle, a young child’s core body temperature may increase 3 to 5 times faster than that of an adult. This could cause permanent injury or death.”

Heatstroke, or hyperthermia, occurs when the body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels.

Safe Kids recommend the “ACT” method to prevent tragedy to your child or to a child you see left in a car:

• A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
• C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
• T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

It’s difficult to think that as parents, we could “forget” our children, but it happens each year with no exception to socioeconomic or education level. Often times, a change in routine, a distraction along the way, or the event a child falls quietly asleep, unseen, in the back seat, allows for a parent/caregiver to “forget” and leave a child in the car.

Here are some important tips to help prevent unintentional injury to your child:

1. Dial 911 if you see an unattended child in a car. Sometimes, people don’t want to get involved or just assume the parents are on the way out. But as you read earlier, it doesn’t take long for a child to die in a hot car. If you see a child or children alone in a car without an adult, call 911 immediately.
2. Never leave your child alone in a vehicle, even for 1 minute. Windows left slightly open will not affect rising temperatures in the car.
3. Set safe habits: leave a cell phone, purse, briefcase, etc. in the back seat before driving, forcing you to always check the back seat and see a child is/is not back there.
4. Program your cell phone and/or computer to remind you to drop off your child each day.
5. Have a plan with your daycare provider to contact you within a few minutes of being late or absent. Let your daycare know that you want them to call you if you are late or you have not called in saying your child will not be in that day.
6. Teach children not to play in any vehicle.
7. Lock all car doors, even at home.
8. If a child goes missing, always check the cars and trunks.

Learn more by clicking here. Also, visit noheatstroke.org for the latest on heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles.

For more information

Every year children are rushed to the emergency room to be treated for car related injuries, many don't even involve traffic or another car. Some injuries occur without the car ever leaving the driveway. Click here for some of the top dangers to be aware of and the key things you can do to help make your car safer for your kids.

The frightening footage from downtown Dallas Thursday night is difficult to watch for even the most hardened adult. So how do you explain what has happened to your child?

Joy Crabtree, Psy.D, a licensed psychologist for Cook Children’s Behavioral Health in Southlake, said parents of young children should encourage discussion, but only if they have learned about the incident elsewhere. If they haven’t heard about it, don’t share information with them. If they have, answer their questions and most importantly, reassure them.

Crabtree said that in cases such as the Dallas shootings, parents need to think through whether their child can handle any news about it at all. Depending on their age and maturity level, it might be best to shield children from the news entirely, if at all possible.

“This is difficult for all of us to grasp. For children, the Dallas shootings may spur questions about race, protests, etc. These topics can be difficult to talk about," Crabtree said. "The overriding messages we need to be sending to our children right now is reassurance, love and peace.”

Crabtree said this topic may be especially difficult to talk about because of how we talk to children about police men and women or other people of uniform. We teach them to respect law enforcement because they protect us. It may be difficult to explain how something like this could happen.

It may also stir emotions for children of law enforcement officers. This may be the first time they have thought of their parent as a ‘target’ for violence. Crabtree says the key here, again, is reassurance.

For older children, such as middle school and high school, Crabtree encourages parents to again determine if their child is mature enough to handle the information. If parents feel they can handle it, use the DVR or TiVo as your friend during the news. Watch it with your child and pause the TV to answer questions. Gauge your child’s emotions and turn the TV off if your child becomes too emotional or the news is too intense.

“Parents have to stay calm and cannot be glued to the TV,” Crabtree said. “It's easy to get lost in the 24-hour news cycle. If you have an elementary-aged child, and they haven’t learned the news, there’s certainly no reason to sit down with them and show them the story. There’s no need to cause fear in your children. By the time children are 7 or 8 years old, they can distinguish fact from fiction and will understand the consequences of what they are watching. Answer their questions, but only their questions. There’s no need to add more information that may scare them even more.”

Children may not understand the distance of the events on TV, make sure to calm their fears and let them know they are safe. 

“This news can be very scary to many children,” said Crabtree. “Parents need to realize this can really raise anxiety levels. I can’t stress enough the importance of just being there for your child right now to support them.”

Teens may have more questions and concerns because they can find information on the internet and discuss it with their friends. They may wonder why something like this happens. Share with your child your own fears and anxieties about the events. Let them know it’s OK to feel scared or frustrated, but it cannot overtake them. Crabtree said take this opportunity to talk about issues that normally may not be brought up and find out what your child thinks about the police, violence and race relations.

"These are complicated times we live in and even as adults we are having a hard time grasping all the violence in today's world," Crabtree said. "We may not know all the answers. But the most important thing is to simply listen and offer support and love to your child."

Listen to your teen, or older child, regarding their fears and concerns. How an adult manages their own feelings can also provide a positive example for them.

Also, share with them ways that they may help by writing a letter to police, making a monetary donation or giving blood. Sometimes when tragedy happens it helps them to work through their anxiety by becoming active and helping others.

Crabtree advises parents to watch to see if their children restrict activity, for instance if they don’t want to go somewhere because it is too far away from home, or simply because they are afraid. Also, notice if your child becomes withdrawn or more clingy than usual, or reverts to wanting to sleep in your bed.

“It is common for children to have a general fear, but if you see an overwhelming fear, it’s important to talk to their pediatrician,” Crabtree said. “If it continues to be a concern, then it may be time to get professional help.”

About the source

Joy Crabtree, Psy.D. is located at 2727 E. Southlake Blvd. Southlake, TX 76092. To make an appointment with her, call 682-885-6000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions. The vaccine status of this particular infant's parents was not reported, but Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s said parents must do their part to protect their children during flu season.

“It’s important for babies to get their shots beginning at 6 months of age. Flu shots are not approved for younger infants,” Dr. Whitworth said. “Because these younger babies cannot be protected by getting flu shots, their caregivers and household contacts must get theirs. If those individuals who are around the baby don’t get infected with influenza, the baby is much less likely to be exposed. It’s especially important for pregnant women to get their vaccines in order to protect their newborns.”

Vaccination is recommended as long as the influenza viruses are still circulating.

At Cook Children’s, this was the latest in the flu season that a child has started in at least 10 years.The latest numbers from March 19, 2016, state that 102 patients have been diagnosed with either flu A (42) or flu B (60).

During the 2014-15 flu season, the CDC says there were a total of 148 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in the US of which 19 were reported from Texas.There were two pediatric influenza deaths in Tarrant County during that time period.

“The death of a child is such a tragedy,” Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases said. “This flu season is much later than usual and so far this year there have been fewer reported cases. But parents must continue to do everything that we’ve always recommended for flu prevention, including vaccinations. Vaccinations are still the best answer to preventing the flu and protecting your children from the upcoming season.”

About the source

Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D. is the medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s, which offers care for children and teens with diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses. Our team provides a broad range of services including diagnosis, inpatient and outpatient consultations, immune deficiency evaluations and treatment of recurring infections.

Eleven people died, including one young child.

Maybe, someone you know was affected by the storm or maybe you had this thought: “That could have been me or my family.”

“This event may raise anxiety because it was so close to home,” Joy Crabtree, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist for Cook Children’s Behavioral Health in Southlake. “It’s important to stress to kids that even though some storms can be devastating. They are rarely deadly or cause such widespread damage.”

Saturday’s tornado outbreak was one of the worst in recent memory. The tornado that touched down in Garland was only the second EF-4 tornado to hit Dallas County since 1950.

Victoria McCain, a licensed psychologist for Cook Children’s, suggests giving young people just enough information that some bad things happened and how people are affected.

“Immediately follow this information with information about how people are helping, where affected people go for help, and how friends and neighbors act to help people affected by storm damage, and maybe how your family plans to help,” McCain said. “Older children may be curious about what happened and watch TV reports. Be sure to talk with your children about what they think and listen for their emotional reactions. Allow them to talk about what they think the people affected may be experiencing, emotionally and physically.”

Young children can be frightened by thunder and lightning and need reassurance during these events. Role model confidence and provide-age appropriate explanations about the day’s weather conditions.

Crabtree encourages a discussion following the aftermath of the storms, but only if your young children knows about the news of the tornadoes. Depending on their age and maturity level, it might be best to shield children from the news entirely.

Teens may have more questions and concerns because they are more aware of what happened. It’s OK to share with your child your own fears and anxieties about the events. Let them know it’s Ok to feel scared or frustrated, but it cannot overtake them.

“Be sure you are in control of your emotions and stress level,” McCain said. “Keep your face and body language pleasant and relaxed and convey confidence. Your kids will pick up on your fears and have trouble letting go of their own. Listen to what your child says about the event, validate his or her feelings by saying that everyone has feelings about what happened; show empathy by using feeling words such as saying, ‘You sound worried, scared, angry, mad, helpless, etc. about what happened.’”

You know your child better than anyone, check in with him or her often to see how they affected. Watch for signs of stress such as trouble sleeping, disturbed appetite, increase in bedwetting, being more clingy to you than before, irritability or wanting the comfort object they haven’t needed for a while. During this time, make sure to be there for your child and comfort with hugs as needed.

If bad weather is on the horizon, use activities to distract kids from the weather or from their own fears. Watch a movie or read books or play a game.

Reassure them that they are safe and if weather becomes severe, you are prepared. Let your child know that bad weather is usually predicted and it will give you time to get to your safe place in the home. Practice going to the safe spot in your home with the things you need such as bicycle helmets, flashlights, shoes, snacks, water and snacks (even for the pet).

Certainly, when severe storms leave behind damage and loss of life, it can raise anxiety levels for everyone. Reassure children about the advance warning systems for such storms and the steps that are taken to keep everyone safe. It may also be beneficial for kids to feel that they can help. That could be a gesture as simple as sending a letter or making a picture for those affected, or it could mean donating time or resources as well. Getting involved can be a great way to take anxious energy and turn it into something positive in order to help others.

“Talking with your children about ways to help those affected by the storm can be a good way to reduce the feeling of helplessness children feel after such an event,” McCain said. “Your child may spontaneously suggest a helpful action, or you may bring up the subject after you and your child have talked about the event and their feelings. Some families have established the way they handle charitable giving after tragic events and can involve their children in age-appropriate ways to participate. Some families are new to the concept and may be unsure of what to do. Contacting disaster relief agencies such as Salvation Army or Red Cross through their respective websites can give ideas that may inspire ways to give.”

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. It can be passed easily from contaminated food, water or close contact with an infected person.

"Hepatitis A can cause outbreaks in day care which infect many children and last for several months,” Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases. “Good hand washing techniques can prevent outbreaks and decrease the spread of the disease, but the best protection for your child is to have them vaccinated.”

Hepatitis A usually goes away on its own within two months. There are no lasting effects in most once the infection passes. Symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin—jaundice
• Darker colored urine
• Light or chalky colored stools
• Rash

Medical treatments that may help prevent infection include:

• Immune (Gamma) Globulin—temporary protection from hepatitis A. It can last about 3-6 months. It must be given before exposure to the virus or within 2 weeks after exposure.
• Hepatitis A vaccine—highly effective in preventing infection. It provides full protection 4 weeks after the first injection. A second injection provides long-term protection. The vaccine should be considered for:

• All children aged 12-23 months.
• Children aged 24 months or older who are at high risk and have not been previously vaccinated.
• People traveling to areas where hepatitis A is prevalent (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ shows which areas have a high prevalence of hepatitis A).
• People with chronic liver disease.
• People with blood-clotting disorders, such as hemophilia. 
• People who desire immunity to hepatitis A.

About the source

Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D. is the medical director of Infectious Diseases at Cook Children’s, which offers care for children and teens with diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses. Our team provides a broad range of services including diagnosis, inpatient and outpatient consultations, immune deficiency evaluations and treatment of recurring infections.

Unfortunately, the outbreak has hit a little bit closer to home as a traveler from Africa has died from Ebola in Dallas and a health care worker in the hospital has tested positive for the disease.

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some thoughts on the situation:

1.Remember that the inital patient was a traveler from Africa and the second case was someone with close contact with the patient. No transmission has occurred through casual contact in the community.

2.Medical professionals across the country are aware of the concern of Ebola in returning travelers and should be asking about travel in patients with fever. If you know someone who has traveled to these areas who develops fever, encourage them to seek medical care and notify their provider or emergency room upon arrival (better yet, have them call ahead).

3.We have now treated multiple patients in the United States with success in helping them recover.

4.Remember to be cautious about how you talk about Ebola with your children. There is a significant amount of misinformation in our communities and especially on social media. What you tell your child matters as they will spread the message you send to their classmates. Widespread fear among the children in our area is unnecessary and could be harmful. If you want accurate information about the virus, check out our previous posts here and here.

We also spoke with Dr. Donald Murphey, medical director ofInfectious Disease at Cook Children’s, and he provided some wise perspective on the situation:

“Texas is a multinational country. We have new Texans coming from all over the US and all over the world … At Cook Children’s Medical Center and other large health care organizations, we are asked to care for patients with diseases that are not native to our area. We are asked to provide care for patients coming from West Africa that are ill. These patients often have fever and in most cases have malaria. They need high quality and prompt medical care. Now, we have had one case of Ebola in the US where a man was hospitalized in Dallas and later died. He, and others, can be cared for safely. We may go through a time when we are all concerned about Ebola in patients, even with minor illness, but Ebola will be contained in the United States."

About the author

Justin Smith, M.D., is a Cook Children's pediatrician in Lewisville . He attended University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School and did his pediatric training at Baylor College of Medicine. He joined Cook Children's after practicing in his hometown of Abilene for four years. He has a particular interest in development, behavior and care for children struggling with obesity. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his 3 young children, exercising, reading and writing about parenting and pediatric health issues.