Disease Prevention |
Hand Washing
Use warm water to wet your hands, then apply soap. Rub your hands together for at least 10 seconds. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap. |
Pets and Infectious Diseases in Children
One way to prevent the spread of disease from your pet: Feed your pet a balanced diet and avoid having your pet eat raw foods or drink out of the toilet. |
Teaching Kids to Wash Their Hands
It's hard enough to get grownups to wash up. Only two-thirds of adults wash their hands after they use the restroom, studies show. |
Immunizations |
Childhood Immunizations
Your little one will need several immunization shots to help protect her from several childhood diseases, some of which can be deadly. Knowing which shots she needs, when, and what to do in the event of a minor reaction is important. |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP)
Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious illnesses. A combination vaccine is given to babies and children to provide protection against all three diseases. |
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib)
Haemophilus influenzae type b is a serious bacterial disease that usually strikes children younger than 5. It is spread from person-to-person by coughing and sneezing. |
Hepatitis B (HBV) in Children
An infant or young child who contracts hepatitis B is at greater risk of staying infected with the virus and of having life-long liver problems, such as scarring of the liver and liver cancer. |
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine is given in two doses—at 12 to 15 months and at 4 to 6 years, or at least one month after the first dose. |
Pneumococcus
Pneumococcus bacteria can cause serious illness in children, including pneumonia, infection in the blood, and meningitis. |
Polio (IPV)
The poliovirus destroys the nervous system, causing paralysis. Today, polio is extremely rare in the United States because of the polio vaccine. It's still common in other countries, though, so children still need to be immunized. |
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Chickenpox is a very common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but can be serious, especially in young infants and adults. |
Why Childhood Immunizations Are Important
Vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly diseases such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria, but they also keep other children safe by eliminating or greatly decreasing dangerous diseases that used to spread from child to child. |
Preventing Childhood Obesity |
Children and Cholesterol
If you, your parents or your parents' siblings had a heart attack before age 55, you should have your child's cholesterol tested. |
Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides in Adolescents
The cholesterol in blood comes from two sources: the foods your teen eats and his or her liver. The liver, however, makes all of the cholesterol your teen's body needs. |
Determining Body Mass Index for Teens
Although it is not a perfect measure, BMI gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your teen's body is composed of fat. |
Exercise and Adolescents
Teens need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days for good health and fitness and for healthy weight during growth. |
For Obese Teens, Surgery Is the Last Resort
Extreme obesity plagues more than a million teens and young adults, experts estimate. What's a parent to do? |
Healthy Eating During Adolescence
Encourage your teen to eat three balanced meals a day, with fruits or vegetables as snacks. |
Help Girls Stay Active as Teens
The teen years often bring a sharp drop in physical activity, especially for girls. |
Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood
You may think of heart disease as a problem for adults, not your young children. But diet and exercise habits started in childhood can begin a lifetime of heart health, or a lifetime of heart damage. |
Weight Management and Adolescents
For overweight children 7 and older, the initial goal is to keep them from gaining more weight. Changes in eating habits and exercise are gradually introduced to trim pounds. |