Evolving Infections: Why a Good Westminster, CO Pediatrician Matters

Each year in the United States, more than 2 million people contract drug-resistant infections and 23,000 die, primarily in a hospital setting. The figures are part of a first-of-its-kind report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, detailing in actual numbers the extent of the nation’s growing antibiotic crisis. "One of the reasons we’re issuing the report now is that it is not too late. If we’re not careful, the medicine chest will be empty when we go there to look for a life-saving antibiotic for a deadly infection. But if we act now, we can preserve these medications, while we work on the development of new medications," Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the CDC’s director, said in a media briefing.

Child Watch: Spot Illness with a Westminster, CO Pediatrics Clinic

When it comes to the health of your children, even simple fever and rashes can be the harbinger of more serious conditions. Thus, as a parent, it is important to be able to spot the warning signs of disease, or at least have a trusted Westminster, CO pediatrics center that can. Bruce Jancin of the Pediatric News Digital Network gives some points on the diagnosis of pediatric infectious diseases.

Vaccination Schedules, as Advised by Pediatricians

When babies are born, they are given protection from different diseases by the antibodies that are passed onto them from their moms, and this protection is maintained as they get nourished by breast milk. However, this protection is only temporary, and kids could sooner or later get exposed to different kinds of ailments.

For more protection, children should be given different kinds of immunizations through vaccines once they reach a certain age. These vaccinations contain weakened or inactivated parts of diseases that would help your kid's immune system create antibodies. These antibodies, in turn, would fight those same diseases without letting your kids get infected.

Pediatricians have designed vaccination schedules that parents are urged to follow in order to keep children fully protected.

For example, right after a child is born, some doctors recommend giving a dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, and then a second dose after a month or two. During the second month, babies could also be given Rotavirus, Diptheria, and then Polio vaccinations, plus another dose of these at the four-month mark. Tetanus vaccinations are also recommended by doctors, along with booster shots when kids grow older.

Influenza vaccinations can be started once a baby is six months old. Doctors recommend having these done once a year due to seasonal strain changes.

There are more vaccinations on the list. To best find out about what they are and when to get them, consult your pediatrician.

Basic Information on Pediatric Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a very common pediatric condition described as an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Those suffering from it experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms of an upset digestive system. In children, the most common causes of gastroenteritis are bacteria, viruses, and intestinal parasites.

Between 3 to 5 million children in the world die every year from gastroenteritis. A large percentage comes from developing nations where healthcare and sanitation conditions are poor. Most of these children die from extreme dehydration resulting from a combination of vomiting, severe diarrhea, and not being able to drink enough fluids. Yet even in industrialized countries, millions of gastroenteritis cases are recorded each year, especially in young children.

In the U.S., there are 3 million cases of gastroenteritis cases in children recorded yearly, resulting in at least 50,000 hospitalizations and up to 40 deaths. Overall, 90 percent of children with gastroenteritis have such a mild case that they won't need to be treated by a doctor. However, there will be occasions when the condition will lead to serious dehydration and other life-threatening complications.

Call your physician immediately whenever an infant less than two months old shows symptoms of gastroenteritis. When older children start vomiting and suffering from diarrhea, call your doctor if they also show signs of dehydration, or if there is blood or pus in their stool, or bile or blood in their vomit.

Westminster, CO Pediatrician - Your Kid's Health is Top Priority

All children in Colorado—or anywhere else, for that matter—deserve to receive the care they need when they need it. That's why parents and child advocates came together on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the annual “Speak Up for Kid's Health at the Capitol” event hosted by the Colorado Children's Campaign and the Children's Hospital Colorado. According to a news release by Coloradokids.org, attendees met with legislators to discuss improving healthcare access for Colorado's kids during the event.

Convincing Your Child that He's Not Hungry Anymore

Binge eating is as much of a problem for children as it is for many adults, only that the consequences pose much more of a threat to a child's developing body. Aside from the mental and emotional effects of child obesity, parents also have to worry about children's increased risk of premature death from diabetes and high blood pressure.

One way to help your kid overcome any eating disorder is to set a good example. Children are quick to mimic what their parents are doing, after all. Instead of heading to the fridge for a gallon of ice cream after a hearty meal, get up and maybe go for a nice stroll around your neighborhood.

Don't use food as a reward or punishment. Kids will only ever do things for the prospect of getting the chance to eat something nice, which probably isn't something healthy like veggies anyway. What's worse is that when they fail to get this reward, their depression just might cause them to crave even more food.

Finally, establish a clear eating schedule—preferably with some advice from the pediatrician—and make sure that it's strictly enforced. This will keep your kid from thinking about snacking whenever the mood strikes them. They might even stick to this schedule when they're all grown up.

Information Regarding Flu Vaccines

Flu viruses are constantly evolving. Each year, scientists study thousands of flu virus samples from all over the world to determine how they are changing and how are they making people sick. The results of their study will allow them to forecast which viruses are likely to make a huge impact on the next flu season. These results will also allow them to formulate the appropriate vaccines.

When to get vaccinated?

The timing and duration of flu seasons vary, but in general, yearly flu vaccination should begin in September. Other than that, vaccination can start as soon as the vaccine is made available. For your information, antibodies that provide protection against flu viruses develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.

How many shots will a child need?

If your child is 9 years or older, he will need only one immunization regardless of what flu immunizations he has received in the past. However, if your child is below 9 years of age, he may need two immunizations. Consult with your pediatrician to learn how many shots your child will need this flu season.

Additionally, if your child is under 6 months of age, all surrounding family members and caretakers must also be vaccinated. If everyone around the infant is protected, the risk that the infant will contract the virus decreases.