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What is a Pediatrician?
Finding a Pediatrician
First of all, when selecting a Pediatrician, you may want to begin your search several different ways:
You should begin searching for a Pediatrician in the final months of pregnancy. It is very important that you feel comfortable with the Pediatrician you select. As a new parent you should feel at ease in asking the doctor anything, no matter how trivial it may seem. We recommend that both parents interview the Pediatrician and ask a potential Pediatrician the following: Is your staff friendly and accommodating? Do you have two waiting rooms, one for sick children and one for healthy kids that are just in for check-ups and vaccinations? What are the procedures if we need a doctor in the middle of the night or on a weekend? Do you have an associate that covers for you when you are not available? Do you have more than one office, and if you do, how is your time divided between offices? What kind of continuing education do you utilize? How do you stay current on the latest drugs and prescriptions available, medical testaments, nutrition, and child development concepts? What type of insurance coverage do you accept? Discuss your family medical history and particular problems you are concerned about. After you have consulted a few Pediatricians you should have a good idea which one you felt most comfortable with and who best answered your questions. How Pediatricians Were SelectedConsumers’ Research Council of America has compiled a list of top Pediatricians throughout the United States by utilizing a point value system. This method uses a point value for criteria that we deemed valuable in determining top Pediatric health care professionals. The criteria that was used and assessed a point value is as follows:
Simply put, Pediatricians that have accumulated a certain amount of points qualified for the list. This does not mean that Pediatricians that did not accumulate enough points are not good Pediatricians, they merely did not qualify for this list because of the points needed for qualification. Similar studies have been done with other professions using a survey system. This type of study would ask fellow professionals who they would recommend. We found this method to be more of a popularity contest. For instance, professionals who work in a large office have much more of a chance of being mentioned, as opposed to a professional who has a small private practice. In addition, many professionals have a financial arrangement for back-and-forth referrals. For these reasons, we developed the point value system. Since this is a subjective call, there is no study that is 100% accurate. As with any profession, there will be some degree of variance in opinion. If you survey 100 patients from a particular physician on their satisfaction, you will undoubtedly hear that some are very satisfied, some moderately satisfied and some dissatisfied. This is really quite normal. We feel that a point value system takes out the personal and emotional factor and deals with factual criteria. We have made certain assumptions. For example, we feel that more years in practice is better than less years in practice; more education is better than less education, being board certified is better than not being certified, etc. The top Pediatrician list that we have compiled is current as of a certain date and other Pediatricians may have qualified since that date. Nonetheless, we feel that the list of top Pediatricians is a good starting point for you to find a qualified Pediatric health care specialist. No fees, donations, sponsorships or advertising
are accepted from any individuals, professionals, corporations or
associations. This policy is strictly adhered to, ensuring an unbiased
selection.
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Use child-resistant packaging on all medicines | |
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Install a carbon monoxide alarm | |
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Use safety locks on all cabinets | |
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Teach your children about poisonous substances | |
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Store all poisonous household and chemical products out of sight and out of reach | |
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Do not use food containers (milk or soda containers) to store household cleaning and chemical products | |
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Keep the telephone number of the nearest poison control center close to your telephone | |
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Do not mix household products, as they can produce poisonous gases if mixed together | |
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Never leave pills on the counter or in a plastic bag | |
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Keep vitamins away from children. Vitamins with iron can be very poisonous. | |
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Keep poisonous plants away from children | |
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Know the names of plants that are in and around your home. | |
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Tell your children not to eat plants, mushrooms and berries that grow wild | |
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Keep children away from all vegetation that has recently been sprayed with weed killer or fertilizer | |
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Destroy and throw away all old medications or flush down the toilet |
The Most Dangerous Poisons for Children:
Medicines
Iron Pills
Fingernail Glue
& Primer
Hydrocarbons
( lighter fluid, paint thinner, gasoline, oil, furniture polish )
Alcohol
( alcoholic beverages, facial cleaners & mouthwash )
Wild Mushrooms
Pesticides
( bug killers and pest chemicals )
Windshield washer
solution and antifreeze
Cleaning Products
( oven cleaner, drain opener, rust remover & toilet bowl cleaner )
| Sickle cell disease, also known as
Sickle Cell Enemia, is a general term for a group of genetic disorders
caused by sickle hemoglobin. In many forms of the disease, the red blood
cells change shape upon deoxygenation because of polymerization of the
abnormal sickle hemoglobin. This process damages the red blood cell
membrane and can cause the cells to become stuck in blood vessels. This
deprives the downstream tissues of oxygen and causes ischemia and
infarction. The disease is chronic and lifelong. Individuals are most
often well, but their lives are punctuated by periodic painful attacks.
In addition to periodic pain, there may be damage of internal organs,
such as stroke. Lifespan is often shortened with sufferers living to an
average of 40 years.
In the United States, hemoglobin Sickle cell disease affects mostly African Americans and some Latino Americans. Some forms of sickle cell disease may occur, although less frequently, in people with different ethnic backgrounds such as those whose ancestors came from Mediterranean countries or East India. Sickle cell disease can occur in any individual of any color or ethnicity, however. A child with sickle cell disease has inherited a defective hemoglobin gene. In a child with sickle cell disease, the hemoglobin can take on an abnormal shape, distorting the shape of the red blood cell. The cells change from a normal round, doughnut shape to the elongated shape of a sickle, or the shape of a "C." Unlike normal red blood cells, which move easily through small blood vessels, sickle cells are hard and pointed. The sickle shape means that they have a tendency to get stuck in narrow blood vessels and block the flow of blood. This can cause episodes of pain and can also lead to damage of the body organs because they aren't getting enough oxygen. Sickle cells have a shorter-than-normal life span, which leads to anemia (low red blood cell count). A normal red blood cell lives for about 120 days, whereas a sickle cell lives for only 10 to 20 days. Symptoms of sickle cell disease vary and range from mild to severe, and symptoms may be less severe or different in children who have inherited a sickle cell gene from one parent and a different abnormal hemoglobin gene from the other. Most children with sickle cell disease have some degree of anemia, and they may develop one or more of the following conditions and symptoms as part of the disorder:
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Allergies
| An allergy is an overreaction of
the immune system to a substance that's harmless to most people. But in
someone with an allergy, the body's immune system treats the substance
(called an allergen) as an invader and reacts inappropriately, resulting
in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly harmful to
the person.
In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system of the allergic person produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E. Those antibodies then cause mast cells (which are allergy cells in the body) to release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to defend against the allergen "invader". It's the release of these chemicals that causes allergic reactions, affecting a person's eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract as the body attempts to rid itself of the invading allergen. Future exposure to that same allergen will trigger this allergic response again. This means every time that person eats that particular food or is exposed to that particular allergen, he or she will have an allergic reaction. The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through your genes. However, just because you, your partner, or one of your children might have allergies doesn't mean that all of your children will definitely get them, too. And a person usually doesn't inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies. But a few children have allergies even if no family member is allergic. And if a child is allergic to one substance, it's likely that he or she will be allergic to others as well. There is no real cure for allergies, but it is possible to relieve a child's symptoms. The only real way to cope with them on a daily basis is to reduce or eliminate exposure to allergens. That means that parents must educate their children early and often, not only about the allergy itself but also about what reaction they will have if they consume or come into contact with the offending allergen. |
Immunization
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Immunization is a method of developing resistance within the human body for specific diseases using microorganisms that have been killed or modified. Immunization is also know as vaccination or inoculation. Immunization has drastically reduced the number of serious and deadly diseases. The success of vaccines speak for themselves; in 1962 , the year before Measles vaccine was introduced, there were over 500,000 cases registered. Currently less than 100 cases per year are now reported. The number of cases of Meningitis in the United States for children and infants has dropped 96% since the it was introduced in 1988. A vaccine may consist of a living organism that has been purposely weakened or altered. The microorganisms have been modified enough so that the human body will create immunity and not get infected with the actual disease. The theories of vaccination are based on the ability of a person’s immune system to respond much faster and more effectively to a microorganism the second, third or fourth time that the immune system confronts the invading organism. Some immunizations protect a human for an entire lifetime; many other vaccines such as Tetanus require booster shots at required intervals to provide continued protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U. S. Public Health Service recommend a series of immunizations beginning at birth. For your convenience we have provided a Recommended Childhood Immunization Chart below. Check with your Pediatrician for any risks and side effects associated with the vaccines that could affect your child. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver. Although it is a very serious condition, it can go undetected for great lengths of time. Some people who have the virus Hepatitis B never feel sick and still others have symptoms that can last for only a few weeks. These symptoms include jaundice (yellowish tone to skin and eyes), pain in muscles, pain in joints, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, tiredness. In the United States alone there are over one million chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus. Many of these chronically-infected people will suffer from serious health problems such as Cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B virus is the leading cause of liver cancer in the world. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with bodily fluids and/or blood of an infected person. This disease is also spread by sharing personal items like toothbrushes and razors with anyone afflicted. Another way that the condition is spread is through unprotected sex and needle-sharing related to drug use. You can protect your child by getting them vaccinated with three doses of the Hepatitis vaccine. A newborn should get the first vaccine between birth and two months old, the second vaccine between one and four months old, and the third vaccine between six and eighteen months old. HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) HIB disease was the leading cause of bacterial Meningitis in children under five years of age. Approximately 12,000 children got Meningitis (inflammation of the covering of the brain) as a result of HIB. About 25% of these children suffered permanent brain damage and close to 5% died. HIB is a bacterial disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. When the bacteria enters the blood system or lungs it is then called "invasive" HIB disease. This type of HIB can cause complications that lead to Pneumonia, Arthritis and Epiglottitis. Most of the time this type if HIB occurs in children under the age of five. Great success has been realized with the Haemophilus Influenzae Type B vaccine. The first vaccine came out in 1985 and soon afterward the disease began to disappear. In 1985 there were over 20,000 cases of HIB and now there are only a few hundred cases per year. Children should get three to four doses of the vaccine. The first dose is recommended at two months of age, the second dose at four months of age and the third dose between twelve and fifteen months of age. Children who are over five years old do not need the HIB vaccine. Polio Polio is caused by a virus that resides in the throat and intestinal tract. Polio is spread through contact with feces and bowel movements of an infected person. Polio was one of the worst diseases in the past century. In 1916 it had killed over 6000 people and had left over 27,000 paralyzed. Today, there is no Polio in the United States but it is still common in other parts of the world. Some children who get Polio become paralyzed. This type is called Paralytic Polio. It can start out like a common cold and soon will have symptoms that include severe muscle pain. Paralysis starts within the first week and most often affects the muscles in the legs. Some children can recover but most will become permanently disabled. Once contracted there is no treatment for Polio. Children should get four doses of IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine); the first dose at two months of age, the second dose at four months of age, the third dose between six and eighteen months, and a booster between four and six years of age. DtaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) DTaP is three vaccines, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis combined into one. A child needs five DtaP vaccines for maximum protection. The first three shots should be given at two, four and six months of age; the next vaccine should be at fifteen to eighteen months. A booster shot should be given between the ages of four and six. Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that resides in the mouth, throat and nose of an infected person. The disease is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. This malady was a major cause of childhood sickness and death. In 1920 over 150,000 were infected with diphtheria and about ten percent of them died. Today there are only a few cases a year. Tetanus is a bacterial disease that can live anywhere and can be found in soil, dust and manure. Tetanus enters the body through cuts and scratches on the skin. It can even get through a tiny pin- prick, but it is more common with deep puncture wounds or cuts. Tetanus produces a poison in the body that causes muscle spasms in the arms, neck legs and stomach. It has been known to cause such powerful muscle contractions that it will actually break a child’s bones. Tetanus is not contagious. Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, is a very contagious disease and is common in the United States. It is caused by a bacteria that resides in the mouth, throat and nose. Pertussis is spread through the air via coughing and sneezing. This disease causes such severe coughing that it can continue until the air is extracted from the lungs, causing a person to make a loud ‘whooping’ sound as they gasp for air. Afflicted children have be known to turn blue from lack of air, vomit and experience problems eating and drinking. Pneumococcal Disease Pneumococcal Disease is a bacterial disorder that kills more people in America each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. This disease is the leading cause of bacterial Meningitis. Over 200 children die from invasive Pneumococcal Disease each year. This sickness is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. There are over 90 strains of the Pneumococcal bacterium. Pneumococcal Disease is the leading cause for all middle-ear infections in children. It is becoming more resistant to antibiotics, making the vaccination increasingly important. Children should get four doses of the vaccine; one dose each at two, four and six months of age, and the last dose between twelve and fifteen months of age. It will not prevent all, but will prevent many of the ear infections caused by the Pneumococcal bacteria. MMR The MMR is combination of three vaccines in one. They are Measles, Mumps and Rubella. This vaccine works well and should protect a child for life. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine: The first dose should be given at twelve to fifteen months of age and the second dose at a minimum of twenty eight days later. Measles is a deadly disease that kills over one million people a year throughout the world. Most afflicted children get a rash and a cold and need to stay home for a few days. Approximately ten percent of the children with Measles get an ear infection and five percent will develop Pneumonia. Measles is caused by a virus that spreads very easily to any child that is exposed to it. Measles is airborne and contracted through coughing, sneezing and even close-contact conversation. Before the Measles vaccine in 1963 there were over 500,000 cases reported each year and over 3 million cases not reported. Today there are only a few hundred cases a year. Mumps is a virus that is spread through the air via coughing, sneezing or close-contact conversation. Children get Mumps through others who are already infected. Common signs of Mumps are swelling of the cheeks and jaw and many afflicted get a headache and fever. Approximately ten percent of children who get Mumps also gets Meningitis, but generally Mumps is a mild disease. Rubella is also known as German Measles and 3-Day Measles. Rubella strikes children, teenagers and adults who have not been vaccinated. The Rubella vaccine was first licensed in 1969; prior to that in 1965 there were 12½ million people who contracted the disease. Today there are only a few hundred cases reported a year. Rubella is most dangerous to unborn babies. If a woman contracts Rubella during the first few months of pregnancy, there is an 80% chance that the baby will have some type of birth defect. Varicella (Chicken Pox Vaccine)Chicken Pox is caused by a virus and can be spread very easily from person to person. The virus is airborne and is contracted through coughing, sneezing and close-contact conversation. Chicken Pox is generally a mild disease, but serious problems can still occur. The Chicken Pox blisters can become infected and some children get Encephalitis (infection of the brain) as a result. A single dose of the Varicella vaccine is recommended for children between the ages of 12 to 18 months. Children who miss this vaccination can still get it up to the age of thirteen. Data suggests that the vaccine is 70% to 90% effective in preventing Chicken Pox and 95% effective in preventing a serious outbreak of the disease. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is a disease that affects the liver like other types of Hepatitis. Hepatitis A is a caused by a virus found in feces and bowel movements and is spread through personal contact or drinking and eating contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A does not cause long-term illness or liver damage as is the case with Hepatitis B. Signs of Hepatitis A include fever, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, dark urine and jaundice (yellowish tone to the skin and eyes). Blood testing is required to determine which type of Hepatitis is present. Hepatitis A vaccine requires two doses; the first dose can
be given to children two years of age or older and the second dose should
be given six to eighteen months later. |
Childhood Immunization Schedule
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Flu Shots A-Z
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The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine,
containing killed virus, which is given with a needle, usually in the
arm. It contains three influenza viruses. The three vaccine
strains—one H3N2 virus, one A H1N1 virus, and one B virus—are
representative of the influenza vaccine strains recommended for that
year. Two weeks after receiving the shot, antibodies in your body will form and protect you
from the virus.
When to Get Vaccinated October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Who should get the flu shot? Basically, anyone who wants to cut their chances of getting the flu can be vaccinated. Certain people, however, should get vaccinated each year. They include:
Who should not get the flu shot? Some people should not get the flu shot without talking to a doctor first. These people include:
Effectiveness The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the health status and the age of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Studies have shown that the flu shot is effective at preventing the flu. What to expect The virus in the flu shot is killed, so you cannot get the flu from it. Some minor side effects are:
If these problems should appear, they will occur within one to two days after receiving the flu shot. Although most people who receive the flu shot have no serious problems, on rare occasions, people can experience severe allergic reactions.
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It is best to start good eating habits at a very young age. Children have different nutritional requirements at different ages throughout their childhood. Breast-feeding still is the best form of feeding infants that are born at full term. Human milk contains the most nutrients, anti-bacterial and anti-infection agents, more than any other type of food can provide. An infant experiences fast growth the first four to six months, particularly growth of the brain. Breast milk provides amino acid and a fatty acid composition that is beneficial for brain development. Breast-feeding for five to six months can lessen the chances of allergies significantly.Breast-feeding can continue to up to two years of age. However, with today’s lifestyle of women so prevalent in the workforce it is common that after an initial period of breast-feeding that infants are switched over to formula. Infant formula is designed to copy as close as possible human milk.The introduction to solid foods should begin no sooner that four to six months. Cereals mixed with breast milk or formula are generally the first foods that are introduced. The first foods need to be soft, smooth and warm. A blender is recommended to make the food smooth enough so the infant can swallow it.Some suggested meals for proper nutrition include: soft-cooked ground rice, pureed cooked apple, pear, peach, banana, pumpkin and carrot; soft fresh fruit, segments of orange, mandarins, kiwi fruit, banana, plum and peach; soft-cooked vegetables such as yams, cauliflower and broccoli. Protein is essential for infants and we suggest small servings twice a day of soft cooked tofu, mashed egg, pureed lentils, chickpeas, finely minced meat, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, and yogurt sweetened with pureed fruit.The next nutritional stage is for one-to-four year olds; it is in this age bracket that they may be weaned off of breast milk and infant formulas. They start to feed themselves by being able to hold and grasp food and to put it in their mouths. They enjoy chewing because it helps with their teething.Foods recommended include: oatmeal, rolled rice, sugar-free cereals, cow, goat or soy milk, mashed egg, cottage cheese, salt-free creamy peanut butter; sardines, tuna, cooked beans, lentils, chickpeas, soft cooked tofu, scrambled egg, finely chopped lean meats, chicken and fish. Other good foods that are popular are cooked or raw vegetables and fruit, vegetable pasta, brown rice, potatoes and yams.Keep in mind that children need as much calcium as a fully-grown adult because of nerve, teeth and bone growth. Infants require more iron than an adult male. Iron promotes brain development and helps in the body's immune system. Between the ages of five years and adolescence there is a period of slow but very steady growth. The peak of growth is between 11 and 15 years of age for girls and 13 to 16 years of age for boys. Regular meals and a proper diet that includes all food groups will contribute to proper growth and development. Nutritional requirements vary tremendously at this age but the common nutritional need is extra iron and calcium. Among adolescents, iron deficiency, or anemia, is one of the most common dietary diseases. Since the largest skeletal weight gain is in this period of growth, calcium is of paramount importance. It is said that 45% of skeletal mass is formed during this growing stage.click
here to see the complete section on Nutrition and your Health |
| PROS
of Breast-Feeding
Breast-fed babies
are less likely to Breast-fed babies are less likely to have diarrhea breast-feeding promotes bonding between mother and baby Breast-fed babies have fewer allergic reactions Breast milk contains antibodies to help babies develop their immune systems Breast milk is natural and provides perfect infant nutrition Breast-feeding is inexpensive; no formula or bottles Breast milk is more digestible than formula Breast-feeding helps the mother lose weight and shrinks the uterus after the child is born The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommends breast-feeding Breast-feeding can help protect babies from bacterial Meningitis, diarrheal infections, developing Asthma and promotes fewer cavities
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CONS of Breast-Feeding
Breast-feeding mothers may feel uncomfortable at first and want privacy during feedings Breast-feeding mothers need to be in close proximity to baby or utilize a breast pump Breast-feeding mothers may experience leaking Other people and family members will not be able to participate in helping to feed the baby
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| PROS
of Bottle-Feeding
Other people including the father can help and participate in feeding the baby Bottle-feeding is less awkward in public for many woman No need to use breast pumps No leaking from mother's breasts Bottle-feeding allows other people to help in nighttime feedings so mothers can get caught up on rest Mothers know exactly how much baby has consumed Bottle-fed babies are not harmed by what mother may eat or any medications she may have taken No special clothing/bras are needed
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CONS of Bottle-Feeding
Formulas may produce some allergic reactions in babies Bottle-feeding requires preparation of formulas and cleaning of bottles Bottle-feeding accessories need to be sterilized before each use Formulas do not provide as much nutrition as a mother’s natural milk Formulas do not provide the maternal immunities and antibodies that a mother’s natural milk does
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All About Ear Infections
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Ear infections include a wide range of diseases that can affect any of the ear structures. A middle ear infection— known as otitis media —is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear. This condition is most common in young children, because their Eustachian tubes—the tubes that connect the throat and the middle ear—are shorter, more horizontal, and more easily blocked than those in older children and adults. A middle ear infection commonly occurs along with or after a cold or other upper respiratory infection. The space in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, is normally filled with air. Any buildup of fluid in the middle ear space is called an effusion. This fluid provides an environment that allows infection to develop. This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. They can either be viral or bacterial infections. Seventy-five percent of children experience at least one occurrence of otitis media by the time they are three-years-old. Almost half of these children will have three or more ear infections during their first 3 years of life. Although otitis media is primarily a disease of infants and young children, it can also affect adults.What if an ear infection is left untreated? Not only will otitis media cause severe pain, but also, in rare cases, it may result in serious complications. An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to the nearby parts of the head, including the brain. Any hearing loss caused by otitis media is usually temporary, but if left untreated, otitis media may lead to permanent hearing impairment. Persistent fluid in the middle ear and chronic otitis media can reduce a child's hearing at a time that is critical for speech and language development. Children who have early hearing impairment from frequent ear infections are likely to have speech and language disabilities.Treatments For an ear infection, treating the symptoms at home may be all that it is needed. Up to eighty percent of ear infections get better without treatment. If your child is under 2 years old and you think your child has an ear infection, take your child to a doctor. Antibiotics, however, are often prescribed to treat middle ear infections that don’t get better at home. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat all ear infections, while others ask parents of otherwise healthy children older than 2 years to watch their child for a couple of days. And if the child begins to feel better within a couple of days, antibiotics may not be needed. If a child has not improved, antibiotics can then be started, and the infection usually clears. Children who are 3 years old or younger should have a follow-up visit in about 4 weeks—even if they seem well. If fluid behind the eardrum persists for 3 months, the child should have his or her hearing tested. |
Meningitis Facts
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Meningitis is an infection of the meninges—tissues that that offer protection for the brain and spinal cord. Microorganisms can invade the meninges and produce this life-threatening illness. Meningitis is a deadly illness that can produce long-term disabilities for those who survive. Meningitis results in swelling of the brain tissue and in some cases the spinal tissue. When brain tissue swells, it puts pressure on brain cells, which can kill the neurons and result in brain damage. The infection occurs most often in infants, young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, and people who have a long-standing health condition, such as a weakened immune system. Viruses, bacteria and fungi can cause meningitis. The seriousness of the infection and the best treatment depend on the cause of the infection. Bacterial meningitis is generally much more serious than viral meningitis, and quick treatment is necessary. The causes of most cases of meningitis are viruses.The effects of meningitis can be severe. The longer you have the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of permanent neurological damage, including hearing loss, loss of speech, learning disabilities, behavior problems and brain damage, even paralysis. What are the symptoms of meningitis? High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis in anyone over the age of 2 years. The onset of this illness is very rapid: It can take over several hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. As the disease progresses, patients of any age may have seizures. In small infants, symptoms may be hard to detect; however, some signs include: being inactive, very irritable, vomiting, or poor appetite. Can meningitis be treated? Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. However, it is important that treatment be started early in the course of the disease. Antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%, although the risk is higher among the elderly. Viral meningitis cannot be cured with antibiotics, but most cases resolve on their own in a week or so without therapy. Mild cases of viral meningitis are usually treated with bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce fever and relieve body aches. Vaccination may prevent some types of meningitis. Vaccines help protect against the most common causes of bacterial meningitis—Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitides. Vaccines are recommended for people at high risk of infection. These include older adults and children and adults who have a weakened immune system, such as those who have an underlying serious illness. Prevention Some types of meningitis are contagious. You may be exposed to the bacteria when someone with meningitis coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also spread through kissing or sharing eating utensils, a toothbrush, or a cigarette. You increase your risk if you live or work with someone with the disease. Washing your hands may be one of the best ways to stay well. Teach your children to wash their hands often, especially before they eat and after using the toilet, spending time in a crowded public place or petting animals. Try to boost your immune system by exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. |
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Measles, Meningitis and Mumps. Some Pediatricians
specialize in areas of Pediatrics such as Immunology, Adolescent Health,
Child Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery and diseases of special
organs and systems. Some Pediatricians specialize in the care of
premature babies, critically ill children and those with congenital
malformations.
Choosing a Pediatrician is an important decision. Thus,
our goal is to assist you in making that decision.