Jan 27, 12 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
“Read to me Daddy”
Reading to your kids is one the most important things you can do for them. I enjoy reading to my children (most nights), and it always helps when they pick a book I like too. I mean, I will read them stories about Dora, but I can only take so much…
One of my favorite authors is Mo Willems, who has books about a number of different characters. My son’s favorite stuffed animal is his knuffle bunny, the star of a trilogy that adults can relate to as well as the children can, and I love to read the twins The Pigeon Loves Things That Go. My older girls like me to read them the longer Pigeon books or one of the Elephant and Piggie tales. My personal favorite Mo Willems book is Leonardo the Terrible Monster. Check it out if you haven’t yet read it. More »
Jan 23, 12 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Have the resolutions made it past the first month
Every year people make New Year’s resolutions. We resolve to eat more healthy, exercise more, and lessen our stress. When I went to the JCC to work out last week, the gym was packed. Each day though I see fewer and fewer people there. All the resolutions are good ones. How can we make them stick? More »
Jan 17, 12 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
My kid is sick- and we are on vacation!
It never fails- every time you go on vacation it always seems that one of the kids are sick. We were in Hawaii when my two year old developed a hoarse barky cough and trouble breathing. We were embarking upon the road to Hana- a crazy drive through the mountains with over 600 cliffs and patchy cell service. I knew she had croup, but knowing what it is and being able to treat it are two separate issues! Obviously it is a little easier for me because I am a doctor; however, I didn’t have a stethoscope, ear looker, or meds. Luckily, we were able to get her through it with steaming, a call to one of my partners, and lots of mommy time. She of course got better after we got home! More »
Jan 11, 12 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Fear in kids sports
Jack Jablonski. This is a name that I have been hearing about for the past few weeks. If you don’t know about him, Jack is a high school hockey player from Minnesota. During a game a few weeks ago he was checked from behind and is currently in the hospital and paralyzed. I have heard about him, because of Facebook. The amount of prayers that are going out about him, even from those who do not know him is incredible. My 14 year old daughter came and asked me if I had heard about him since it was also all over her Facebook site. She also asked if I knew about the other teenager from Canada who was killed in a freak accident when a puck struck him in the throat. More »
Dec 1, 11 | Posted by: Bayshore Pediatrics
Pertussis – Just in time for the Holidays
Pertussis or “whooping cough” has reemerged in our community. There are now five confirmed cases of pertussis in Mequon area. We have blogged about this in the past and it seems time again.
Pertussis is highly contagious and can be dangerous for those who are not vaccinated. Surprisingly, even students that are vaccinated can acquire pertussis. Vaccinations are not 100 percent effective, and efficacy is different for each individual vaccine.
Part of why vaccines work so well is something called “herd immunity,” which means if enough people are vaccinated, they prevent the disease from reoccurring even if the vaccine itself is not completely effective. Due to the concerns with vaccine safety, fewer people are vaccinating. This allows diseases that were nearly eradicated to reemerge and infect patients.
Pertussis look like a cold at the beginning, with a runny nose, possible fever and a mild but irritating cough for 1-2 weeks. What separates pertussis from a cold is the explosive coughing that can interrupt breathing, eating and sleeping and is commonly followed by vomiting and exhaustion. Pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, gets its name from the loud loud crowing or “whooping” sound that patients make as they struggle to inhale air. The coughing spells can last for several weeks or longer. In younger children, the symptoms are usually milder and without the typical whoop.
There is no “cure” for pertussis, antibiotics can shorten the time someone is contagious and can prevent the transmission to other people.
Click here for more information about pertussis.
Please call us if you are concerned about your child’s health and pertussis.
