Halloween is coming soon. I’m sure the kids have their costumes ready by now. Who doesn’t enjoy a good scare on Halloween? But no one wants a scare related to their child’s safety. Let’s talk about ways to help keep kids safe on Halloween. Is it safe for kids to…
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence, also called Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is very common. It is important to bring awareness to how serious and common this issue is in the US. What is intimate partner violence (IPV)? IPV is abuse or aggression that occurs surrounding a…
This week is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape”, is focused on educating everyone about simple but important actions that can keep you and your loved ones safe from home fires. Why is this important? According to the National Fire Protection Association, today’s homes…
Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the US have Down syndrome. Better understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions could significantly improve the quality of life for children and adults with this disorder….
The flu season is approaching. There is also a good possibility of another surge of COVID cases this fall and winter. The new bivalent COVID booster, which protects against the original Wuhan strain as well as the Omicron strain, is now available. Many Americans are wondering whether it is ok…
Fall is the time of year for getting our flu shots. I’ve had mine every year since I started medical school in 1985. I hope that you will all plan to get your flu shots this year. Why do you need a flu shot every year? There are 2 main…
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. It is one of the deadliest tick-borne diseases in the Western Hemisphere. Early recognition and treatment are keys to successful recovery. How common is RMSF? It is relatively rare. There are usually fewer…
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the U.S. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The name Lyme disease came from the location in which it was originally identified, Lyme, Connecticut. It can become a very serious infection if not treated, but most cases…
Last week, we talked about tick bites. Today we will focus on ways to protect yourself from ticks and the diseases they carry. Where do ticks live? Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or sometimes on animals. They prefer areas that are humid, and protected from the hot…
Tick bites are common this time of year. Some tick bites can be harmless, but some can infect you with serious, potentially deadly, diseases. As the climate is getting warmer, the “tick season” is becoming more year-round across the United States. Let’s talk about what you need to know about…