In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson comments on the prediction that we will have an epidemic of mental illness. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions. One presentation of anxiety is phobias. Everyone is fearful of something, but if your child has intense worries or fears that get in the way of his/her daily activities, please call your health care provider for help or a referral to a mental health professional.

Nobody can deny that these are extremely stressful times. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, you can find some suggestions that can help all of us, children and adults. Remember to take a step back and see if you can organize your day. Talk to your children. The fear produced by the pandemic is real. Managing this fear is important so as not to have overwhelming anxiety. As always reinforce healthy eating, healthy exercise, and safe practices. Recognize and complement each other in loving and positive ways. Be safe, and wash your hands.

Bill Bryson’s book, The Body, has an interesting discussion about microbes, including cold viruses. At first, we thought all viruses caused disease, but we now know that of the hundreds of thousands of viruses reasonably supposed to exist. Viruses have survived for hundreds of millions of years. The most common of these viruses is the common cold. Washing your hands is critical to preventing the spread of the common cold. Learn more about this virus in this week’s Keeping Kids Healthy.

Viruses are about a thousand times smaller than bacteria. Scientists are continually working to understand how these tiny particles get transmitted, reproduce, make the host cell sick, how they infect one host cell and not another and how to prevent and to treat infections. Right now, the world is concerned about the development of a new virus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure. Read full article.

The illness we call the common cold is caused by a virus that infects the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, and upper airway). There are no drugs available that kill these viruses. A cold cannot be “cured” by anything except time. The safest and cheapest approach is to let it run its course while you get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Read full article to find out what to do and NOT TO DO.

Help develop kindness and caring. As with any skill, empathy can be taught and developed. Because cognitive abilities and life experiences develop over time, the most effective strategies to use depend on the child’s age. Learn more in this article of Keeping Kids Healthy.

Websites are NOT required to post safety warning associated with toys. When buying presents for your child, select toys that are age-appropriate. No matter how mature you think that your child is, he or she should not play with toys that are meant for an older age group. Read the full article for tips on how to choose age-appropriate toys.

In this Keeping Kids Healthy article, Dr. Sally Robinson discusses the myth that cold weather causes the common cold. Although it may seem that way, the cold and flu are caused by viruses. The decrease in the humidity in the air during the cold time of year allows these viruses to be more active. The best prevention against the common cold is to stay away from people with a cold and practice good hygiene.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a letter for parents about cannabis products. With both CBD and THC, like all other medications or drugs, children are more likely to access and consume them by mistake. The Food and Drug Administration is gathering information about problems related to cannabis. Read and find out more about the symptoms of CBD overdose and for a list of warnings from the FDA.

ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated every October. In this Keeping Kids Healthy Dr. Sally Robinson discusses how exercise may reduce the severity of the symptoms of attention deficit with hyperactivity. Physical activity appears to be a promising intervention method along with benefits to health over all. Read More.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The word “cancer” certainly strikes a scary and emotional note in our hearts, and when attached to the word “childhood” it can be especially frightening. However, as with many things we fear, we can be empowered by understanding. The overall outlook for children and adolescents with cancer has improved greatly. Read More