Tetanus Booster Following Trauma
When should my child get a tetanus booster? It depends on her age. Experts recommend vaccinating your child when she’s 2 months old, with follow-up shots at 4 months, 6 months, after her first birthday, and again around age 5. These initial shots are …
Learn MoreAllergic Reaction: Severe
What is anaphylactic shock? Anaphylactic shock, or anaphylaxis, is one of the scariest health emergencies a parent can face; it occurs when your child has a severe allergic reaction. When that happens, your child’s immune system mistakenly responds to…
Learn MoreChild CPR
What is CPR? CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, is a type of artificial respiration that you induce by exhaling your breath into the victim’s lungs. There are three distinct methods depending on whether you’re perfor…
Learn MoreSunburns (Children)
What’s the best way to treat a sunburn?For starters, make sure your child drinks plenty of water; he’s probably dehydrated from being out in the sun. To soothe the sunburned area, apply a cold washcloth or let your child soak in a cool bath. (Adding b…
Learn MoreHow to Handle Medical Emergencies Away From Home
At home, you probably have your doctors’ numbers posted near the phone and your child’s medical records handy in case of an emergency. On vacation, you should be no less prepared. Here are some tips:Before You GoAsk your doctor if he or she can refer …
Learn MoreTooth Accidents
What should I do if my child bumps or chips a tooth? If the tooth was merely jarred or loosened slightly, you probably won’t need to do anything, though it’s a good idea to call your child’s dentist to get her opinion. If you see some bleeding from th…
Learn MoreLosing a Permanent Tooth
There are two basic ways to have a tooth removed: You can go to the dentist for a careful extraction, or you can take a serious blow to the face. Unfortunately, many people end up going with option number two. They catch a stray elbow during a basketb…
Learn MoreChoking (in Children)
Choking is a serious threat to people of all ages. Whenever something gets stuck in the throat — a piece of food, a child’s toy, or blood from an injury — it can block a person’s air supply. After four to six minutes without air, the brain begins to…
Learn MorePoison-Proofing Your House: Quiz
1. Roughly what percentage of childhood poisonings are fatal?a. 50 percentb. 10 percentc. 1 percentd. Far less than 1 percent2. Which of the following household items is the most harmful if swallowed?a. Liquid dish soapb. Liquid or powdered automatic …
Learn MoreBee Stings
What should I do if my child is stung by a bee or wasp? A bee’s stinger works like an automatic pump — the longer it stays in, the more venom it releases — so get it out as quickly as you can. Look for a little black dot in the center of the bite, a…
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