You might have heard of the “Superbug Crisis”. If not, here is a brief explanation: Antibiotics are prescribed to fight bacteria (not viruses!) and the use of them has increased exponentially since the emergence of penicillin in the 1940s. Now antibiotics are prescribed left and right, a lot of the times for illnesses that do...

Antibiotics – they are good right? They help cure infections. Well yes…and no. Antibiotics, prescribed appropriately, are a great tool to help your child overcome bacterial infections. However, in recent years, it has been shown that antibiotics are being prescribed when they are not called for. When antibiotics are not needed, they do NOT help...

Fever, cough, body aches… All the tell-tale signs your child has the flu. They got their flu shot, they wash their hands, but STILL, the flu got ‘em. But is there a way to know for sure? The rapid influenza diagnostic test is a relatively new procedure, rising in popularity in the last decade after...

It is the beginning of influenza (“flu”) season! Here are some things to be aware of as we enter this year’s flu season: The flu mist, or nasal spray vaccine, is approved this year by the Center for Disease Control and by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is a change from the 2018-2019...

It is always a tough call for us parents! Your child has been diagnosed with the flu, impetigo, strep, or some other contagious illness. The big question is: when can they go back?We don’t want our kiddos missing too much school, but we don’t want them to infect other children, or just be miserable all...

There are a few habits you can teach your child that will help prevent lice: Encourage them not to borrow their classmates’ hats, scarves, combs, or anything that touches the head. For athletes: do not share helmets or towels. Keep their jackets and winter gear separate from other students (a different coat hook, or in...

Wow, it is HOT. Texas summers are killers, and it is time to worry about heat-related illnesses. Now is the time everyone is going to Sea World, Schlitterbahn, Fiesta Texas and all the fun water parks. There are a number of things you can do to get your child ready for a long day at...

It’s 3:00 am and you are sound asleep, when all of a sudden you wake up and hear a small voice saying, “I threw up”. The rest of your night is a whirl of cleaning, sanitizing, and comforting.Gastroenteritis, also known as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug” is a viral infection that causes your child’s...

Short answer: You don’t know! Allergies, colds, flu…it can be hard to tell these different conditions apart. A cold, also known as a URI (upper respiratory infection), is one of the most common childhood illnesses. The main symptoms that accompany a cold are a runny nose, a cough and fever. It is important to remember...

Barfing, throwing up, puking – all parents are familiar with these terms. If your child is vomiting, here are a few things to keep in mind that will help them feel better. What causes vomiting?  There are many different causes for vomiting including food poisoning, headaches, and viruses. The main cause of vomiting in children...

Kids are back in school! As parents we know what that means- contagious illnesses are ready and waiting.Pink Eye We all know about “pink eye.” It’s when your child’s eye becomes inflamed and red and you are pretty sure if you tried to take them to school, they would be sent right back home! Pink...

The flu season has arrived! Flu symptoms include: Fever from 102 or higher Coughing Congestion Upset stomach Muscle aches Complications from the flu include febrile seizures in young children and pneumonia. There are medications if prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptoms that may shorten the course of the illness. After 48 hours, the...