You Decide: What is a Strep Carrier?

Understanding what it means to be a Strep carrier is critical if you want to understand the management of sore throat.  It is especially critical for Smart Parents to understand so they can be vigilant to make sure their children are not needlessly exposed to antibiotics and their side-effects.  While most physicians are aware that some kids Read more

Antibiotic Eye Ointment in Babies

In the hospital, one of the first things the delivery nurse is likely to do to your baby is spread a greasy concoction of antibiotic ointment into your baby’s eyes.  This ointment will certainly make it hazy during those early hours Read more

Sugar Water for Vaccine Pain

There are many different controversies surrounding immunization in children.  One of the controversies surrounds controlling the pain children experience with vaccinations.  If you do choose to vaccinate your baby, there are a few things you might consider to help ease the pain your newborn experiences. Read more

Umbilical Cord Infection?

I got a call from some friends the other day regarding their new daughter’s umbilical cord. This is a common problem that many new parents encounter and also a common problem that I see in the ER. The issue relates to infection. Infection of the umbilical cord is a serious problem and ALWAYS requires medical intervention. However, in the normal process of the umbilical cord falling off it often looks pretty horrible sometimes resembling infection.  So how to tell?  Hopefully this post will help some parents with that very question.   Read more

You Decide: Strep & Throat Abscess

If you discuss Strep throat long enough someone will eventually bring up the potential complication of a throat abscess.  The fancy medical name for this is peritonsillar abscess (or in the U.K. – Quincy).  Basically this is when you have a large collection of pus in one of your tonsils.  In the era of ready access to the ER, surgeons,  and antibiotics this is generally Read more