This is one of my favorite topics. If you are an antibiotic-lover, you might be a little shocked to read what I have to write. However, I will try and give you unbiased information so that you can decide for yourself.  Let me just start by saying this… the way many doctors (especially pediatricians) approach sore throat, and more specifically strep throat, is one of the the most irrational practices in medicine. Billions of dollars are probably wasted on this irrational practice each year. The final irony [Read more...]

Like fever, there is considerable confusion over vomiting and I will attempt to resolve many of the myths with this post. First, let me remind you that the human race has survived for tens of thousands of years. Part of the credit for this amazing accomplishment is certainly due to the body’s ability to rid itself of those things that are harmful. Vomiting is one of the ways the body accomplishes this and in almost all cases it is GOOD. In otherwise healthy children, there is little reason to believe that vomiting is dangerous. [Read more...]

I see kids all the time that have a cough.  Of course some coughs are serious, but most coughs are NOT.  In fact, cough is generally a protective response.  Without cough we would be unable to clear things out of our lungs.  If your child is ill and coughing, this is probably a GOOD thing.  Try to avoid the temptation to suppress this protective mechanism of the body. [Read more...]

The Cold and Flu Season is right around the corner. Both of these minor illnesses are generally accompanied by nasal congestion. Nasal congestion in the setting of a cold or flu, while sometimes uncomfortable, is the body’s way of protecting & healing itself.  However, nasal congestion [Read more...]

Do ear infections cause hearing loss? What happens if I don’t start antibiotics right away?

There are many myths and facts that surround ear pain and ear infection. What makes things worse is that there is often a great deal of variation in the way different doctors treat ear pain and ear infection. So I am starting a new series aimed at helping Smart Parent get the facts they need to make intelligent decisions about how best to treat (or not treat) ear pain and ear infection. [Read more...]

Is a high fever dangerous? Will it cause my child to have a seizure? What about brain damage?

These are the common questions that I see parents asking when they come into the ER. Along with these questions, parents generally also bring in all kinds of myths and misconceptions surrounding fever. Fever [Read more...]