News
RSV in Infants and Young Children
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common virus that affects the lungs. RSV season starts in the fall and peaks in the winter in most regions of the United States. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States.
Learn the options to protect your child from RSV and steps to take to prevent respiratory virus prevention.
Allergy-Friendly Candy Guide
Looking for candy for the kids (or kids at heart) in your life who have food allergies? Check out our candy guide for food-allergy-friendly sweets! You can use this guide when shopping for candy for holidays, gatherings, treats, parties, or just for fun!
The guide includes candy and gum options free of the most common food allergens – milk, egg, soy, peanut, tree nuts (not including coconut), sesame, wheat, gluten, fish, and shellfish.
Remember, read labels every time on any food you give your child or any food item your child receives. Ingredients can vary for many reasons, especially on different sizes and treats in seasonal packaging.
Looking for non-food treat ideas? We've got you covered - check out our list!
2025 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule
The CDC has released the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age, Recommendations for Ages 6Years or Younger, United States, for 2025. Be sure to check out the CDC site for more information:
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Vaccine & Immunizations Schedules: Your child needs vaccines as they grow! | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC
Heat Kills Children in Vehicles
Children die in hot vehicles every year. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees and the ability to maintain or control body temperature is overwhelmed. Vehicles heat up quickly – even with a window rolled down two inches. If the outside temperature is in the low 80°s Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes!
Warning signs of heatstroke include:
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Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
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No sweating, even though the child is warm
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Strong rapid pulse or slow weak pulse
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Throbbing headache
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Dizziness
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Nausea
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Confusion, or acting strangely
The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration provides resources on how to prevent hot car deaths.
Water beads can be deadly to babies and small children if ingested
Water beads can be deadly to babies and small children if ingested, and can lead to choking, internal injuries and even death if left undetected notes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to remove these products from any environment with children. CPSC also urges childcare centers, camps, and schools to avoid these products entirely. If you suspect your child has swallowed a water bead or inserted a water bead into their ear or nose, seek medical treatment right away.
For more information:
Water Beads: Harmful if Swallowed, Put in Ears - HealthyChildren.org
Are Water Beads Dangerous? | Poison Control
Report any dangerous product or a product-related injury & experiences with water beads on SaferProducts.gov.
You can additionally help to promote awareness with this printable poster SafetyAlert_5101_WaterBeads_092023_v6.pdf (cpsc.gov)
Flu Deaths in Children Reached 200 for the 2023-24 Season
September 27, 2024 – CDC reported one new flu-related death in a child last week, bringing the total number of U.S. pediatric deaths for the 2023-2024 season to 200. This number of pediatric deaths exceeds the previous high reported for a regular (non-pandemic) flu season. The previous high of 199 deaths was reported during the 2019-2020 season. Consistent with other seasons, of children who were eligible for a flu vaccine and for whom vaccination status was known, about 80 percent were not fully vaccinated.
Getting your child a flu vaccine is the most effective step to reduce the risk of flu illness and flu-related doctor’s visits and missed school days; flu vaccination also reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death. In the 2023-2024 season, estimates indicated that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu related medical visits by approximately two-thirds and halved the risk of flu-related hospitalization for vaccinated children. September and October are the best times for most children to receive flu vaccine. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine, especially children at higher risk for serious flu complications.
Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2023-2024/2023-2024