Since children are the major source of these viruses keeping them healthy and away from obvious sick contacts is critical. Did you know, that children carry the virus in their nose for up to 2 weeks and all the while can transmit their flu illness to others people through their highly infectious respiratory secretions (ie via sneezing and coughing).

The MUST DO’s for older children and adults to HALT the virus before it can multiply rapidly in the nose is to aggressively use saline rinses and cleanse the nasal passages by blowing the nose.  For children, the use of saline rinses and effectively suctioning  the nasal secretions by the “dreaded” BLUE BULB syringe for younger children is critical to help heal and prevent transmission to others.

Influenza vaccination policies are highly effective in controlling outbreaks of disease.  The most effective Flu vaccine type is the Q-LAIV Flumist immunization. For you chickens out there, this nasal immunization is indicated for 2 years of age and older with some exclusions and you dont have to have a needle stick! Check with your physician to see if you are a candidate for this one. If not, you are still eligible for the old fashioned injectable immunization as long as you are a minimum of 6 months of age.

A MUST READ:

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine in children:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22466322

As many as 20% of teens will suffer from depression having met the criteria of 6 months duration.  As parents we need to identify these symptoms and signs and know how to address them quickly.  Early intervention allow the individual to cope with their feelings effectively and to return to a more comfortable life.  Children & adolescents may not be able to effectively communicate their sad thoughts as maybe adults would.  If your child or adolescent has poor sleep, withdrawal from others, low energy, low self esteem, irritability,or any physical manifestations of recurrent abdominal pain, headaches, or easy distractibility, consider depression as a potential diagnosis. Further investigate any identifiable causes for their grief.  Medications and/or psychological intervention may be warranted to get your loved one back on track. Always consider aggravating factors for depression and rule out chronic illnesses, hormonal changes, drug use, sexuality issues, sexual or physical abuse concerns, girlfriend/boyfriend problems, family crisis, that led to this desperate situation.  Warning: depression is the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescence.

http://nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88551

Bordetella Pertussis is a bacterial infection infecting the upper respiratory tract and becoming more common since an every increasing number of adolesents, young adults and grandparents have lost their longstanding ability to be protected against this illness.  Masquerading as a common cold or flu like illness, in older children and adults, the infection can be transferred easily to susceptible infants or children (usually unvaccinated or under vaccinated).  Once acquiring the bacterial infection as infants, the disease can overwhelm the respiratory system of the afflicted, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Unfortunately, each year a large number of babies die unnecessary due this preventable infection. The recommendation is for each eligible person 19 years to 65 to receive a single vaccination to protect these vulnerable babies.

http://www.adultvaccination.org/whooping_cough_vaccine_pertussis_vaccination_adult_immunization.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/unprotected-story.htm

Be on the lookout for more “flu like” illness now.  Although these viruses present year round we see an increases of these viruses in the winter months.  The flu viruses as we know them are actually comprised of different infections that typically include Influenza A & B, RSV, Parainfluenza, and Adenovirus.  There are effective preventative vaccines ONLY for Influenza A & B that are admininistered usually in September and October prior to the peak flu season. RSV is well known as the virus that causes “bronchiolitis”, a lung condition that can be quite severe, with acute onset of cold symptoms, wheezing, and even respiratory distress that may include hospitalization in some of these infants and younger toddlers.  Parainfluenza virus is the most common virus causing “croup”, characeterized by a barky cough and hoarseness, worse usually during the night.  All of these “flu viruses” are generally known to cause more serious respiratory disease then other viruses found in the warmer months, like rhinovirus, otherwise known as the “common cold”. So when it comes to infection with these winter viruses we are all at risk, but babies, young children, asthmatics, immunodeficient patients, and the elderly are generally the highest risk groups.  The treatments for most are outpatient symptomatic care that includes fever control, saline nasal rinses, oral fluids to prevent dehydration, and rest generally with favorable outcomes after 3-14 days of symptoms.  If you or your infant/child have ongoing respiratory symptoms, worsening of symptoms such as nightime cough, dehydration, or the onset of new symptoms, then you should seek immediate attention from your doctor. Additional therapies may be required for these infections as determined by your doctor after in-office evaluation.

http://news.yahoo.com/pill-linked-breast-cancer-risk-younger-women-110326281.html;_ylt=AwrBJR7Q8OtTPgQARSLQtDMD

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives

http://www.envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/General/fs10.estrogen.cfm

I would offer you these words of caution before requesting birth control pills from your medical provider. Consider the medical reason(s) why and how your reason(s) justify the lifetime risks and/or the potentially undesirable side effects  initiating such therapy for you or your daughter.  By definition, your XX genotype put you at high risk particularly in breast cancer (1 in 8 risk for women in general population) due to natural human estrogens.  Many of the risks have been published in prestigious scientific journals, some of them are still not proven or not fully established.  Ultimately, you will make the decision after objective information by educating yourself.  Do not ever assume or expect that your physician or pharmaceutical companies are going to give you all the answers in an objective way.  Ask many questions as some questions may not have a definite answer and that is ok as long as you realize that. Weigh the benefits and risks of your decision to take the Rx for your intended purpose. There may certainly be better alternatives out there without the risk and potential undesirable risks.

Pregnant women warned not to use antibacterial soaps over fears chemicals affect babies’ development
http://news360.com/article/252293963

sources:

http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm

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Acne can occur at any age with the majority of cases involving infants and teenagers when hormonal stimulation is more pronounced.  Of course, parents of adolescents need to be cognizant of the potential psychosocial implications of moderate to severe acne, particularly those individuals with more severe presentations.  The overwhelmingly majority of acne cases in these age groups are simply transient and commence in the preadolescent & adolescent years and are not generally associated with an underlying disease.  If your “child” develops acne it would be worthwhile to seek consultation by a medical professional to rule out a possible hormone imbalance.

For acne to even develop an individual must have active glands stimulated by hormones that result in follicle plugging, sebum production, inflammation, and the generation of the acne bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. Acne treatments start usually with a topical treatment of Benzoyl Peroxide acting as an antibacterial agent for mild cases.  When used in combination with oral antibiotics for more moderate cases the Benzoyl Peroxide may help to lessen the resistance of the bacteria to the oral antibiotics.

PEARLS:

• Childhood acne should be evaluated for other causes
• Always use hypoallergenic washes or soaps for facial cleansing daily
• Do not use antibacterial soaps
• Always use a sunscreen that is  a rating of 30 SPF+ and reapply since the sunscreens are not waterproof
• It is acceptable to use Benzoyl Peroxide in adolescents with mild acne cases
• Avoid scarring and the psychological impact by seeking medical attention in cases of moderate to severe cases of acne

It is common for physicians to inquire from patients about shortness of breath or nighttime coughing spells.  Concerns should be raised about the possibilities of lower respiratory involvement versus upper respiratory involvement when there is intense cough, cough associated with exercise, or when the cough makes the individual awake at night.  In children, we usually consider cough to be acute, usually mild, not constant, and not involving shortness of breath.  If the cough is lingering or involves shortness of breath or is not improving, seek a healthcare professional.

Typical symptoms on an upper respiratory infection or “cold” are common in all age groups, these include runny nose, runny eyes, sneezing, fevers, and sore throats; however, you need to consider other causes, in addition to infections, particularly when the symptoms are lingering or involve shortness of breath. In all age groups, your doctor should include a comprehensive history to look for evidence of allergies, smoking history, cardiac history, or reflux history which could contribute to cough.  If the cough is moderate, constant, includes shortness of breath, or has a nighttime presentation, see a doctor.  Other non-infectious causes of cough may include congenital anomalies, foreign bodies, asthma, copd, reflux, or allergies. Historical information and specific cough details may help your doctor to determine what therapies are warranted.

It is important to remember that all coughing episodes do not support the need for an antibiotic at the doctors visit.  For example, asthma sufferers may need acute treatment with oral steroids to control the inflammation associated with asthma, for reflux sufferers the acute therapy may be antacid therapy and for common cold sufferers, the treatment may include frequent nasal saline and fever control to help promote healing  and resolution of the nagging symptoms of a cold.  But the simple message here is, not all colds are colds and to know when to seek medical attention.