The immediate spread of Swine Flu seems to be abating, but it’s likely to resurface in the fall. So far, Swine Flu hasn’t seemed very serious. Most cases have recovered fully; fewer than 500 people have died from it in the US so far this year. This is a remarkably low number, considering the high [...]
As of 5/5/09, none of my patients have been diagnosed with Swine Flu (H1N1). Several students at the University of Delaware have tested positive for Swine Flu. A handful of other people, including elementary school students, have also been verified (+) for Swine Flu. A total of 20 cases in Delaware have been identified. Nationally, 403 [...]
If you need to reach a physician after hours, please be SURE that you are calling our main telephone number: 392 – 2077. Double-check your cell phone; if you have *any* other phone number recorded (2078 through 2084), you will reach an internal number that will sound legitimate but will not record a message. (This [...]
When children develop a fever in the middle of the night, parents want to make them feel better. There are lots of useful ways to do this. The first thing, of course, is to ensure that the fever doesn’t represent something dangerous. Meningitis or dehydration come to mind; parents should use their best judgement about [...]
A recent article in the Wilmington (Delaware) News Journal described two studies published recently, suggesting caution in using steroid medications in children. Several patients have asked me about these findings. The new studies were published in the January 22, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Here is my interpretation of these studies. [...]
Ear wax (cerumen) generally does not pose a medical problem, even if the amount seems excessive. It is unusual for excessive ear wax to cause hearing problems in children (although this is a more common problem in adults). Excessive ear wax does not cause middle ear infections, and is only rarely involved in swimmer’s ear. [...]
Most children are potty trained during the daytime well before the age that they become dry at night. Children older than 4 years old who still wear pull-ups in the daytime are uncommon. But children who require pull-ups until age 6, or even older, are not unusual. This is not surprising, because the skills required [...]
Yes they do, sometimes as young as 6 years old. Boys are slightly more likely to suffer a first migraine under age 10; girls tend to suffer their first migraine in adolescence. Migraine headaches may be one-sided, and they are often associated with visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Often, the best [...]
Q: At what age should babies stop spitting up after feeding and what can be done to control it? A: Many babies spit up occasionally with feeds. I don’t get concerned if weight gain is good, the baby eats eagerly and seems satisfied after feeding, and the baby is cheerful and sleeping well. If the [...]
Q: Are there any concerns about young children listening to music with headphones frequently? Is there any chance of hearing damage? A: Absolutely. Headphones pose a risk of hearing damage for children; this is an important issue. Several recent news reports have spotlighted cases of permanent hearing damage in older adults due to their listening [...]
