Sunday, December 17, 2006
Colds and Ear Infections
Do colds cause ear infections?
TIt does seem that way, but all colds are caused by viruses, while 90 percent of ear infections are caused by bacteria. So, why does your child seem to get an ear infection every time he has a cold? "Colds create mucus and fluid buildup in the ear tubes -- a perfect environment for ear infection -- causing bacteria to grow," says Ari Brown, M.D., coauthor of "Toddler 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Toddler."
TIt does seem that way, but all colds are caused by viruses, while 90 percent of ear infections are caused by bacteria. So, why does your child seem to get an ear infection every time he has a cold? "Colds create mucus and fluid buildup in the ear tubes -- a perfect environment for ear infection -- causing bacteria to grow," says Ari Brown, M.D., coauthor of "Toddler 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Toddler."
Labels: child, cold, infection
Friday, December 15, 2006
Kisses and a cold
Should you not kiss your baby if you have a cold?
A peck on the lips probably won't hurt, says Neil Schachter, M.D., author of "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds & Flu. " Unlike a sneeze or a cough, which bring forth viral-rich fluids from your airways, the saliva hanging out in your mouth harbors very little cold virus -- so it's surprisingly hard to pass the illness through kissing. The best way to keep your baby from catching your cold: Wash your hands often.
A peck on the lips probably won't hurt, says Neil Schachter, M.D., author of "The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds & Flu. " Unlike a sneeze or a cough, which bring forth viral-rich fluids from your airways, the saliva hanging out in your mouth harbors very little cold virus -- so it's surprisingly hard to pass the illness through kissing. The best way to keep your baby from catching your cold: Wash your hands often.
Labels: child, cold, kiss, kissing
Monday, December 11, 2006
When are colds and flu most contagious?
Are colds and flu most contagious before symptoms appear?
They spread most easily when symptoms are at their worst. That's because these infections are commonly passed through coughed-up or sneezed-out droplets containing the virus, or via hand-to-hand contact. While the likelihood of catching (or passing) something peaks when kids are most miserable, the risk persists as long as the drip does. So even if your kid's almost over it, give the other moms in your playgroup a heads up; they may decide to take a rain check.
(Answer by Rosemary Black, Marguerite Lamb, and Laura Flynn McCarthy from Parenting.com)
They spread most easily when symptoms are at their worst. That's because these infections are commonly passed through coughed-up or sneezed-out droplets containing the virus, or via hand-to-hand contact. While the likelihood of catching (or passing) something peaks when kids are most miserable, the risk persists as long as the drip does. So even if your kid's almost over it, give the other moms in your playgroup a heads up; they may decide to take a rain check.
(Answer by Rosemary Black, Marguerite Lamb, and Laura Flynn McCarthy from Parenting.com)
Labels: cold, contagious, flu
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Greenish mucus
Is it true that a greenish mucus means your child has something worse than a cold?
Not usually. While clear mucus is most common, green or yellow can also just be symptoms of a cold. However, discolored mucus plus a persistent high fever, decreased appetite, cough, or severe nasal congestion may be signs of a bacterial infection, which -- unlike a cold -- could require antibiotics. If you notice your child often has green or yellow mucus, there may be an underlying problem (enlarged adenoids, for instance) that's causing recurring bacterial infections. In that case, let your pediatrician be your sleuth.
(Answer by Rosemary Black, Marguerite Lamb, and Laura Flynn McCarthy from Parenting.com)
Not usually. While clear mucus is most common, green or yellow can also just be symptoms of a cold. However, discolored mucus plus a persistent high fever, decreased appetite, cough, or severe nasal congestion may be signs of a bacterial infection, which -- unlike a cold -- could require antibiotics. If you notice your child often has green or yellow mucus, there may be an underlying problem (enlarged adenoids, for instance) that's causing recurring bacterial infections. In that case, let your pediatrician be your sleuth.
(Answer by Rosemary Black, Marguerite Lamb, and Laura Flynn McCarthy from Parenting.com)
Labels: child, cold, congestion, cough, fever, infection, mucus
