Prevention & Wellness, Teens

5 ways to talk to your kids about alcohol

Here’s a staggering fact: In the U.S., more than 60% of teens have had at least one drink of alcohol. Teen drinking is an issue — and if you think your teen is not doing it, the statistics hint otherwise. If you’re wondering how to talk to your child about drinking, we have some tips….

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Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Take care of your sick child without getting others — or yourself — sick

Temperatures have dropped, and it’s officially cold and flu season. Here are some tips for staying well as you nurse your little one back to health. It’s not too late to get a flu shot Getting yearly flu shots for the whole family can help protect yourself and others from the flu. While the vaccine…

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Flu, Prevention & Wellness

New guidelines on when kids should get the flu shot

With this year’s flu season coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatricians are urging parents to get their kids’ flu shots sooner rather than later. In newly released guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends children receive their flu vaccinations by the end of October. This includes all eligible kids 6 months and older….

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COVID19, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

How to help teens manage their feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Teens have different psychosocial needs than younger children. They crave autonomy and independence. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many teens are still grappling with a new normal: e-learning for the start of the school year, sports, extracurriculars and even some milestone events are different than they’ve experienced before. What can parents do to help their…

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COVID19, Flu, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

When is the flu or COVID-19 an emergency for kids?

It’s 2 a.m. and your child has a high fever. The signs of the flu are there, or is it COVID-19? At that point, a parent’s thoughts can race: “Should I call the pediatrician or go to the emergency department?” Take an inventory of what your child looks like and how they are acting based…

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COVID19, Flu, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Once school starts, there will be more than 1 virus to take steps to avoid

There will be more than one virus to take steps to avoid as schools reopen. Kids have always brought home germs, viruses and bacteria that could make their sick day a sick day for you too. COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, has symptoms that overlap with flu. Understand the symptoms of each. If…

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COVID19, Prevention & Wellness

Why baby face masks are dangerous and how to protect young ones from coronavirus

Face masks can be dangerous for babies and toddlers under age 2, but there are steps you can take to protect the little ones from the coronavirus. Babies and toddlers have smaller airways, making breathing through a face mask more difficult than for adults. If they do have trouble breathing, they can’t tell anyone and…

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New Mom, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness, Sleep Medicine

Safe baby sleep: What parents need to know

According to Safe Sleep Kentucky, the state’s infant mortality rate is almost double the national average. Safe sleep practices can reduce the risk of any infant dying. What do parents need to know about safe baby sleep practices? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants should be placed on their backs for every sleep by…

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Health & Wellness, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Prevent coronavirus spread: Don’t touch your face

Touching your face may be a habit you don’t realize you have. One study shows that a person can touch their face up to 23 times per hour. Norton Children’s wants every child to be a “Super Kid.” Being a Norton Children’s Super Kid means doing activities that prevent spread of the coronavirus. Super Kids…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Cover your cough to be a Super Kid: Cough into elbow

Coughing and sneezing can spread illness — everything from the common cold to COVID-19. Wearing a mask is just one part of being a Super Kid; covering your cough by coughing into your elbow is another way to keep you and the community healthy. Why cough into your elbow? It’s important to teach kids to…

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Prevention & Wellness

When should you wash your hands?

Washing your hands is the easiest way to keep yourself and others from getting sick. Think of it as a do-it-yourself vaccine: Hand hygiene helps prevent diarrhea, strep throat, the flu and many other illnesses caused by various germs like bacteria and viruses. We teach kids how to wash their hands –– but do they…

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Emergency Medicine, Prevention & Wellness

Drownings in Kentucky waterways this year already surpass all of 2019

Kentucky already has had more drownings this year than all of 2019, even while public pools are closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. So far this year, there have been 33 drownings in Kentucky’s lakes, reservoirs and streams. Nearly half of them — 14 — have occurred since May 23, the Saturday before…

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