One of the most common questions we get as pediatric emergency physicians is, “What can I do for my child’s cough?” or “How can I make this cough go away?” We like to recommend Honey for children over 12 months of age when…
We know well by now that we should never say “It’s just a virus” as a way to assuage parental concerns. There are just too many viral infections that can prove to be problematic and won’t necessarily merely “go away”…
When you think of “balance” do you think of a perfectly still scale or a yogi standing on one leg with appendages gracefully, equally extended? Certainly, those do represent balance, but those mostly reflect balance in a “quiet system.” The…
We have previously discussed how saying “It’s JUST a virus,” is not comforting to families and may undermine your credibility. For one, this phrase minimizes the family’s concern… and secondly, viruses can be quite problematic (ex, Influenza, Varicella, HSV, Reye’s…
Previously, we have discussed the potential counterproductive effects of saying the phrase “It’s just a virus.” Aside from the perception that their child’s illness is “no big deal,” this phrase is also inaccurate as it implies that viral illness is…
Parents pay a lot of attention to the skin of their child and, certainly, the skin exam is a valuable tool for the vigilant clinician (ex, Cap Refill, Petechiae below Nipple Line, Leukemia, RMSF). That being said, the majority of…
As you know, a common theme of the Ped EM Morsels is Vigilance: many potentially severe conditions present similarly to benign illnesses. Kawasaki Disease, Rhabdomyolysis, Crohn’s Disease, and Compartment Syndrome are conditions that come to mind; however, one that warrants special consideration…