Back to School Tips
Fall is here and children everywhere are back in school. The following are some health and safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Backpack Safety -

• Remind children to carry the minimum load, and pack heavier items first, so they are closest to the back.
• When picking up a pack, bend with both knees and lift with the legs. Select smaller packs for smaller children.
• Look for packs with wide, heavily padded shoulder straps. The shoulder straps should be fastened so the pack hugs the center of the back. Waist and side straps may help keep the pack close up against the back.
• Always wear both straps so the weight is evenly divided.
• Use a wheeled backpack when possible.

School Bus Safety - Review the basic bus safety rules with your youngster:

• Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
• Do not move around on the bus.
• Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
• Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Stranger Awareness - Children should be taught:

• Their full name, address, and phone number (including area code).
• How to call the 911 emergency number.
• To avoid contact with strangers, including never getting into a stranger's car, and to beware of enticements of candy, money, etc.
• Never to tell anyone on the phone that they are home alone, and never to open the door to a stranger.
• That no one has the right to touch them, and that they have the right to say "no".
• That they should tell their parents if anyone asks them to keep a "secret."

Allergies and Asthma

The changing colors of the leaves signal not only the beginning of fall but also the beginning of a new allergy season. Weeds, especially ragweed, can cause a dramatic worsening of allergy symptoms in the fall, as can some molds. In the Midwest, fall allergy season lasts from mid-August through the first frost. Indoor allergens such as pet dander and dust mites may be more bothersome in the winter as more time is spent indoors, and exposure to musty holiday decorations or live Christmas trees may cause symptoms in some children.

Nasal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever, occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance such as pollen, mold spores, dander, or dust mites. It takes time for an allergic reaction to grow and it is unusual for an infant or young toddler to have significant nasal allergies. One of the best indicators that a child will be allergic is family history. If one parent has hay fever, the child has about a 1 in 3 chance of developing allergies. If both parents have symptoms, the chance increases to 2 in 3. Boys are also more likely to be allergic than girls are, although this evens out by the late teens.

The symptoms of hay fever are similar to those of a cold, but there are several characteristics that help distinguish between them. Cold symptoms usually last seven to 10 days, while allergies last for weeks. The nasal discharge with a cold tends to be thick and white or yellowish-green; while with allergies, the drainage is watery and clear. Fever can accompany a cold, but not an allergy. Finally, itchiness of the nose and eyes is very highly associated with allergies. In fact, some children with allergies rub their noses so much a permanent crease appears!

Generally, nasal allergies are bothersome but not serious. However, complications may occur including ear and sinus infections, disrupted sleep, and breathing problems in children with asthma. Asthma is a disease that affects the airways, making it difficult to breathe. In its acute form, dramatic wheezing and shortness of breath characterize asthma. It also may be chronic with a persistent cough especially at night, difficulty keeping up with peers during exercise, or a feeling of chest tightness. Asthma is a serious disease, but luckily medicines available today can usually control asthma very well.

If you suspect your child may have allergies or asthma, discuss the symptoms with your child’s physician. He or she can help you understand ways to decrease your child's exposure to the most common allergens. If the symptoms persist, there are several prescription medications that can prevent or relieve symptoms with few side effects. Occasionally, it may be important to have testing done to pinpoint the cause of symptoms to better relieve them.

Coping with Colds and Flu

Winter is coming soon, and with it, the season for colds and flu. Colds and flu are caused by viral infections, which lead to inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat. Such inflammation may result in increased mucus, sneezing, coughing and fever. Viral illnesses are the cause of many physician office visits during winter. On average, children younger than five years may contract between five and eight viral illnesses per year. Children who attend daycare may become sick more often. Although being exposed to cold temperatures has not been shown to result in colds or flu, frequent illnesses among young children maybe due to the fact that they are indoors more and in closer proximity to each other. In addition, the less humid atmosphere of winter provides a more suitable environment for viruses.

It is important to remember that there is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections and only your doctor can determine if your child has a medical condition that would benefit from antibiotic treatment. However, your doctor can recommend a number of options for making your child more comfortable when he or she has a cold or the flu. Based on your child’s age, your physician may suggest saline nose drops, analgesics and other over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms. In addition, preventive measures such as avoiding people with colds, keeping your child away from large groups, frequent hand washing, and cleaning your child’s toys may help reduce the risk of viral illnesses.

Other Winter-Time Ailments

Influenza is the name of a single virus that causes epidemics of illness every winter. Typically this happens between the months of December and March. The illness causes nasal congestion, high fevers (103 - 104 degrees Fahrenheit is common) with body aches and chills. The Flu Vaccine can provide temporary immunity to those who receive it, decreasing your child’s chances of contracting Influenza. Flu vaccines are encouraged but not required. They are strongly encouraged for children who have a chronic illness that would make them more prone to hospitalization. Also, it is strongly encouraged for children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years because they are at higher risk of serious illness with influenza. If you would like your child to receive the vaccine or have further questions, contact your pediatrician.

RSV and streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep throat) are two other common winter illnesses. RSV is a virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms in older children. However, in younger children or children with chronic lung disease, RSV may cause significant respiratory problems such as wheezing. Other symptoms common to RSV include large amounts of clear nasal drainage, coughing, fever, and a loss of appetite. If at any time you feel your child is having difficulty breathing, please contact your child’s physician or take your child to the emergency room.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Symptoms may include a sore throat, fever, nausea and vomiting. Your child’s health care provider may perform a test in his or her office that can determine if your child is suffering from Strep throat. If the test is positive, your child’s health care provider may prescribe an antibiotic. In some cases, your child may be suffering from a viral infection in which case, an antibiotic will not work.

Winter Safety

Children today are increasingly involved in winter sports and outdoor activities during winter. While children may realize important health benefits from remaining active during the winter months, they should avoid exposure to extreme cold temperatures, which can lead to frostbite and other injuries. To help prevent injuries from the cold, dress your child in layers of warm clothing that will not impede their circulation. Don’t forget gloves and socks with insulated boots. Have your child go inside every half-hour to warm up.

Each year, a number of children are injured when they fall through frozen surfaces. Although ice may appear safe, it can be very thin on ponds, streams, under bridges and near strong currents. Slippery banks along the sides of rivers and ponds also may lead to slip and fall injuries, and even accidental drowning when children fall into nearby water.

Heating equipment is another source for winter injuries. Portable heaters and wood stoves should be used with great caution and their use around young children is not recommended.

Finally, the holiday season may mean more frequent houseguests as friends and family members visit from out of town. If you entertain guests who may be on medication, take care to prevent the accidental ingestion of these medications by young children, by making sure that their medication is stored safely out of reach.

It is not the intention of Mercy Medical Group (MMG) to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided, and MMG urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.