Monthly Archives: October 2011

Too Much Candy?

Posted on October 28, 2011 by L. M. Asta

Teach your child over 4 years of age to swallow pills. Kid’s medicine doesn’t always taste very good and liquids are often far more expensive. After Halloween, there are usually some M&Ms or Smarties. Mini M&Ms are even better to … Continue reading →

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Water: Simply Safe

Posted on October 26, 2011 by L. M. Asta

Water. So many questions about something so basic, so integral to life. Children drink more water per body weight than adults–for infants water that water comes in the form of both breast milk and formula–so it’s important that our water … Continue reading →

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Halloween

Posted on October 16, 2011 by L. M. Asta

I started taking my informal poll of Halloween costumes back when flu vaccines were shot only. Talking about who’s going to be what is a great topic and a great distraction. The past few years I’ve enjoyed hearing about creative … Continue reading →

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Traveling with Children Outside the USA

Posted on October 10, 2011 by L. M. Asta

Advising families about traveling with children, I’ve learned lots of things. It’s important to prepare  months in advance before you travel outside the United States. I always start at http://www.cdc.gov/travel to review specifics about traveling to different countries. Being up … Continue reading →

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Phenology

Posted on October 9, 2011 by L. M. Asta

Pediatrics is a seasonal specialty, and knowing what comes when helps patients, parents, and pediatricians prepare. Phenology is the study of periodic life events: when birds migrate, flowers bloom. Here in Northern California, we watch for the first rains to … Continue reading →

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Why get a flu shot?

Posted on October 4, 2011 by L. M. Asta

People use “flu” as shorthand for any chest or tummy infection, but flu is short for influenza, which is really the mother of all bad respiratory tract infections. With influenza patients get a week of high (103-104) fevers, chills, body … Continue reading →

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