Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear) : Risk Factors

Citing the latest research on the brain, experts say chess, Scrabble, Monopoly -- even jigsaw puzzles or tic-tac-toe -- help children build analytical, organizational and creative skills.

Having a make-believe friend is a normal part of your child's growth and usually happens between ages 3 and 6.

Each fall you hear that the flu threatens senior citizens and folks with chronic ailments. But the rate of hospital stays is highest in another group—young children.

Crooks from computer experts to purse snatchers can steal personal information and run up bills in victims' names. Clearing up the mess can be costly and stressful.

Health professionals say that the number of classes or activities isn't what's important. It's the nature of those experiences that counts.

Some kids need plenty of time to warm up and become independent, and others would leave home if you let them.

How often do you and your family all manage to sit down together for dinner? Your answer means far more than a chance to find out what's going on in school.

The key is communication. Talking to your children is only half the answer. Listening is the other half.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have guidelines that can help you make up your mind.

Orthodontic treatment most commonly begins between ages 9 and 14 because kids in this age range have at least some permanent teeth and are still growing.

Here are tips for helping (not forcing) your grade-schooler to drift off to dreamland.

So who's in charge, the parent or grandparent? Experts say it's the parent's job to parent unless grandparents are told otherwise.

While you want to make sure your child gets the right vitamins and minerals, it's best for kids to get all the nutrients they need from food. But there are some children who may need a supplement.

Power tools make yard work easier, from mowing the lawn to trimming the bushes. These tools, however, also pose a threat to children if precautions aren't taken.

What do children need most to grow into healthy, successful adults? Self-confidence, say the experts. Here's what parents do to bolster their children's self-confidence?

Make Moving FunWe should be good at this by now. The U.S.

Children have fun exploring, and you can keep them safe by controlling the household terrain.

All 50 states have a combination of laws that require drivers to restrain children in car seats, booster seats, and seats belts. Specifics vary by state, based on the child's age and size.

The number one rule when shopping with your children is to remember you're shopping with your children. Keep an eye on them at all times.

Children of different ages have different sleep needs—from 10 hours for younger kids to 8-/12 or more for teens.

Most headaches in kids are caused by tension, not disease. Your pediatrician can determine what kind of headache your child has.

Although most adolescents who use drugs don't become drug abusers or drug addicts in adulthood, drug use in adolescence can put their mental, emotional and physical health at risk.

Here are recipes that fit the bill for teaching some baking basics and setting some good nutrition patterns early. All you'll need are some simple tools and tolerance for a few spills. These recipes are safe for a child to make (with adult help) and are practically foolproof.

Kids' Boredom Busters: Quick, Fun ActivitiesSummer months are prime time for "informal learning," child development experts say. Brain research shows as children play and pretend, they are re-enacting experiences they've had and trying to make sen...

As they assert their growing independence, young people naturally want to act and make decisions on their own, but they still need and want to maintain a close relationship with the adults in their lives, experts say.

Hepatitis B is a highly contagious, sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver, possibly causing lifelong liver infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer and death.

Divorce can be an emotional train wreck for both parents, but often the family members hurt most have the least control -- the children. What's the best way to help children adjust to divorce?

To fight the harmful rise of obesity in the young, many schools, towns and states are revamping food and fitness programs, often at parents' urging.

Excess childhood weight is placing "an unprecedented burden" on children's health. It's triggering a host of dangerous health problems once seen only in adults.

Kids who have strict mothers are five times more likely to be overweight than kids who have flexible moms, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

Talking with your child about drugs, alcohol and tobacco is tough. But you can't afford to ignore these topics. Children learn about these substances and feel pressure to use them at a very young age.

Cough is very common in children. When your child coughs, he is pushing air out of his lungs to clear his breathing tubes, which can be blocked for all sorts of reasons. Infections (from the mild common cold to the more serious pneumonia), asthma, and allergies are among the more common causes, but cough can be caused by other things as well.

Don't argue about cost. Do talk with your children about money management and media messages.

Grandchildren really do like learning about how life used to be, even if they don't directly say so.

Walkers can cause children to roll down stairs, causing head injuries and even death. This is the most common way children get hurt in walkers.

Many childhood illnesses are mild enough to be treated at home. But what about when the symptoms are more severe?

You can play a significant role in protecting your child’s health and life by being involved, asking questions, and learning about your child’s conditions and treatments.

Most weight problems are caused by too little activity and too much food. Most children who are overweight don’t need to diet.

Sports and other physical activities can help kids stay healthy and physically fit, but they also can result in injuries, such as scrapes and sprains.

If your child starts hanging around with an imaginary friend, enjoy the company. It's often part of a child's development and usually happens between ages 3 and 6.

Your child is nearsighted if far away objects look blurry. Your child is farsighted if close-up objects look blurry. Other common eye problems: wandering eye, injuries and infections.

A long-term study on the efficacy of psychosocial treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Supplying rewards for desirable behavior may be helpful in the treatment of substance abusers and children with behavorial problems.

How important is a good breakfast for children? Q. How important is a good breakfast for children?

The death of a child???one of the severest forms of stress???can increase the risk of psychiatric hospitalization, a study reveals.

International adoptions turn out to have surprisingly good outcomes, according to a study.

Siblings of children with autism are at higher risk of developing the disorder. A study suggests that these at-risk children should be screened around their first and second birthdays to increase the chance of detecting warning signs.

Caring for a child with a mental health problem causes a greater financial burden on the family than caring for a child with some other type of medical problem.

Research shows some marked differences in the development of children born to schizophrenic mothers.

How common is it to treat constipation in a child with Miralax -- for more than three years? Are there other treatments? Can it be controlled by diet?

How long is scarlet fever contagious after treatment is given? Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

My 14-month-old son has a cough. Infant medicines have been pulled off the shelf, but he weighs enough to take the smallest dose of children's Robitussin. Is it safe to give it to him considering his age?

My 8-year-old daughter has a high fever and I would like to give her something to reduce the fever, but she is vomiting also. Is there anything you can suggest?

What is dyscalculia, and what are recommended treatments for it? Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

Can I give my 10-year-old child, whose weight is 140 pounds, adult acetaminophen? If so, how much?

My 4-year-old daughter recently started having fits where her whole body arches and her calves tighten up and her ankles twist inward. What could this be?

Should my 4-year-old get his immunizations if he has cold symptoms?

My child, age 3, grinds his teeth at night. What can we do to prevent him from doing this? What is this doing to his teeth?

My daughter will be 1 year old on May 8, 2005. She does not know how to crawl yet. She also does not know how to stand holding on very well. Should I be concerned?

My 10-year old son sometimes complains of pain in the lower portion of his knees. Otherwise he is healthy and active. His diet is balanced and he loves to eat fruits, veggies and poultry. What could be causing this pain?

Would you recommend the LAP-BAND procedure for obese children under 10 years of age?

Are children at risk for DVT when flying long distances? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

Can a child have scarlet fever more than once? Henry (Hank) Bernstein, D.O. is a Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Formerly the Associate Chief of General Pediatrics and Director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston, he currently is the Chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. He has extensive and varied experience as a primary care pediatrician, and is a spokesperson for the news media on a variety of pediatric health care topics, including vaccination, common childhood illnesses, and practical information for caregivers.

My daughter was out in the sun all day. For two days she has been running a fever as high as 103. Could this be caused by too much sun?

What is the normal blood pressure rate and heart rate in children (ages 8,10, and 12)?

Should children ages 6 to 15 be allowed to drink "energy drinks" such as Red Bull?

Can I still give my 1 1/2 year old cold/cough medicine? Is it safe?

My toddler is almost 29 months old and weighs 41 pounds. She has been obese since she was 4 months old. She is a very active child who does not eat meat. When should I start to be concerned about her losing the weight?

My son is 8. Is it possible for him to have stress problems at this young age? Whenever he gets worried or too hot, he seems to break out in welts.

Is tuna fish OK for an 18-month-old toddler to eat? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

We will be living in Nigeria with a 15-month-old child. Is there a way to prevent malaria in children this age?

The most common cause is an infection from germs (bacteria or viruses) that are passed from person to person. However, conjunctivitis also can be caused by an allergic reaction to something (for example, tree pollen), by contact with something irritating (for example, smoke in the air or chlorine in a pool), or rarely, by problems of the eye.

Over-the-counter drugs can help ease a child's aches and pains, but you should know a few things before you pop open a bottle.

The common cold, also called a rhinovirus or coronavirus infection, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Over 200 different viruses can cause a cold. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold.

Detailed information on the common cold, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system , including the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Although over 200 different viruses can cause a cold, 30–50% are caused by a group of viruses known as rhinoviruses. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Although more than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, 30–50% are caused by a group known as rhinoviruses. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

Most of the time, however, a cold passes in a week, with or without the use of antibiotics. Taking these drugs does not help you get better faster. In fact, it can create problems.

Adults have on average two to four colds a year, and children have six to 10 of them annually.

Although colds cannot be prevented -- or cured -- you can take precautions to reduce the chance of infection.

Detailed information on the common cold, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Although over 200 different viruses can cause a cold, 30–50% are caused by a group known as rhinoviruses. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

You can protect yourself against these illnesses. It's also important to know the symptoms of each.

Your doctor should evaluate you if you are having symptoms that suggest a more serious cause, such as a bacterial infection, or if your symptoms aren't manageable with over-the-counter remedies or the passing of time.

Detailed information on the common cold, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Sometimes it seems there are as many myths surrounding the common cold as there are viruses that cause it.

This information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) can help you determine if you're suffering from allergies or a cold.

Colds and the flu can be serious for people with heart disease.

Detailed information on the differences between the common cold symptoms and symptoms of allergies

You want to help a child with cold symptoms feel better, but choosing among countless over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines can be daunting. Here are some guidelines that can help.

Colds usually are mild illnesses that get better within one or two weeks. However, even mild symptoms can make children feel miserable.

You'll face new hassles as you sneeze and sniffle. You'll have to ask your pharmacist or a store worker for medications that include pseudoephedrine.

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear space, which lies behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane). It is characterized by pain, dizziness , and partial loss of hearing.

Detailed information on otitis media, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

Detailed information on otitis media, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

Detailed information on otitis media, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, which is located behind the eardrum. There are two main types of otitis media. In the first, called acute otitis media (AOM), parts of the ear are infected and swollen, and fluid and mucus are trapped inside the ear. AOM can be quite painful. In the second type, called otitis media with effusion (fluid), or OME, fluid and mucus remain trapped within the ear after the infection is over, making it more difficult for the ear to fight off new infections. This fluid may adversely affect a child's hearing.

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear space, behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Most acute respiratory diseases are viral infections. They may be complicated by bacterial superinfections in which a bacterial infection develops after a viral infection. In such a situation, however, an illness would be of longer duration and not be considered acute. Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the most frequent illnesses experienced by most people globally. Young children have between five and seven of these illnesses per year, with a general decrease in frequency with increasing age. Adults will have about two such illnesses per year. It has been shown that among adults women have a higher frequency of respiratory disease than men do, and women who do not work outside the home have more frequent illnesses than those who do. This indicates that children are responsible for spreading illnesses in the family. Further evidence for this conclusion comes from the seasonal occurrence of the illnesses. While these acute infections occur year-round, in the temperate zones most begin in the colder season, and the first peak of illnesses follows the opening of schools by about two weeks. Table 1 Infectious Agents Causing Common Respiratory Infections Virus Number of Types Illness Syndrome SOURCE: Courtesy of author. Rhinoviruses 110+ Common cold Coronavirus 2+ (?) Common cold Parainfluenza 4 Croup or pneumonia in children Colds in adults Respiratory Syncytial 2 Bronchiolitus or pneumonia in children Virus (RSV) Common cold in adults Adenovirus Acute Respiratory Disease, Pharyngoconjunctival fever, pneumonia, etc. One reason why there are so many acute illnesses experienced throughout life is the large number of viruses that can cause the common cold and other similar syndromes (see Table 1). In addition, when infection with one of these agents occurs it does not result in lifetime immunity. Since the actual infection is on the surface of the respiratory tract rather than disseminated in the blood, it is much more affected by secretory IgA antibodies than circulatory IgG antibodies. As a result, immunity produced by past experience with the same virus is relative rather than absolute. This means there may be protection from reinfection over a period of months rather than years, and if reinfection occurs, it may produce an inapparent infection or milder illness than would be experienced without prior infection. This situation is most dramatic with agents such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza viruses. The initial infection can produce potentially life-threatening illnesses in young children, such as bronchitis or croup, but later in life reinfection will produce only a common cold-like syndrome.

Detailed information on upper respiratory infections, upper respiratory infections symptoms, upper respiratory infections treatment

Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin.

Detailed information on dermatitis, including the different types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis

Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin.

Detailed information on dermatitis, including the different types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, numm

Detailed information on the most common skin inflammations (rashes), including atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, nummular derm

Dermatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the skin.

Detailed information on the different types of dermatitis, including localized scratch dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis