Staying Healthy: For Kids Only

This health Web page is designed to help children stay healthy.

Asthma and Allergies
Asthma is a disease in which the airways become blocked or narrowed. These effects are usually temporary, but they cause shortness of breath, breathing trouble and other symptoms. If an asthma episode is severe, a person may need emergency treatment to restore normal breathing.

Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens." These substances can trigger sneezing, wheezing, coughing and itching. Allergies are not only bothersome, but many have been linked to a variety of common and serious chronic respiratory illnesses such as sinusitis and asthma. Additionally, allergic reactions can be severe and even fatal. However, with proper management and patient education, allergic diseases can be controlled, and people with allergies can lead normal and productive lives.

Educate yourself about asthma and allergies in children.

Infant and Child Development
It’s time to change how we view a child’s growth. As they grow, children are always learning new things. These newborn screening tests are just some of the things you should be looking for as your child grows. Because every child develops at his or her own pace, your child may reach these milestones slightly before or after other children the same age. Use this information as a guide, and if you have any concerns, talk with your child’s doctor or nurse. 
   
Child Development Milestones  
Here are some of the things you should be looking for as your child grows.

Concerned your child may have a developmental delay?  
  
Dental Health
Brush your teeth and don't forget to floss. Simple daily habits such as these can help prevent a mouthful of dental problems over your lifetime.

Diabetes
Early detection and treatment of diabetes prevents later complications from the disease. Health tip: make sure to a test to screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Environmental Health Issues
Environmental health issues range from air and water pollution to exposures to hazardous chemicals at work and at home. Learn what you can do to minimize health impacts from environmental health issues.

Handwashing and Hygiene
Hand washing is considered the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.  Ensuring that everyone knows the correct way to wash his or her hands will help control the spread of upper respiratory infections like colds, coughs, or flu, and intestinal infections, including those that cause diarrhea.

Proper hand washing is something we should have learned by the time we get through kindergarten.  It is a simple, but important technique for everyone to learn and use.  It is the most cost-effective way to decrease the spread of illness.  Although schools and childcare facilities are excellent places for learning and practicing hand washing, it is becoming a lost behavior.

The quantity and variety of germs that we carry on our hands everyday is astounding.  When we forget to wash our hands, or don't wash our hands correctly, we can spread these germs to other people.  Hand washing, when done correctly, can help us avoid spreading and receiving germs.  Remembering to wash your hands correctly and frequently is the first step toward staying healthy.

Head Lice
Head lice are insects that can spread from one person's head to another's. Although they do not transmit diseases, they can cause itching and resultant scratches. Head lice are common infestations and can be treated. Learn what you need to know about head lice from the following resources.

Immunizations
Immunizations are for everyone - children, teens and adults. Keep your life on track with timely immunizations and avoid being sidelined by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Injury Prevention
Accidents will happen. But many injuries can be prevented - take advantage about what's know about injury prevention to avoid as many injuries as possible.