More News

The Gazette asked Dr. Roomika Baig, a Frederick pediatrician, seven questions about what parents should do to cope with children's winter illnesses.

Baig works at Frederick Pediatric Associates, at the Thomas Johnson Medical Center. The office also has a branch in Mount Airy.

Baig is pediatrician certified by The American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a mother of four.

Prior to joining Frederick Pediatric Associates in 2004, Baig worked as a full-time pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, N.Y. for seven years. She earned a medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan in 1992.

Baig responded to The Gazette's questions via e-mail.

Q. What are the pros and cons for getting flu shots for children?

Baig: Flu vaccine is recommended for all children (six months to 18 years) of age. Flu is a viral contagious illness that is spread by coughing, sneezing or by nasal secretions.

There is a large number of kids in daycare and preschool these days and therefore it is hard to stay away from germs. Rates of infection are high in kids.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't get flu from the vaccine, though as part of side effects you may feel some aches and experience low-grade fever.

Live nasal flu vaccine is available for children 2 year and older.

Flu vaccine is not for everybody and therefore parents should talk to their child's pediatrician to know what is best for them.

Q. What can parents give their children to deal with cold symptoms?

Baig: We still have not found a cure for the common cold. Parents should refrain from using (over-the-counter) cold medications for kids. These products in general have not been proven helpful in pediatric population and may cause more harm than good.

Rather than struggling with young children to administer cold medications, parents should try to keep their kids snuggled and comfortable, administer soups and other fluids and saline drops in the nose, Vicks VapoRub on the chest, steam inhalation, humidifier, etc.

Parents should talk to their pediatrician as to the age-appropriateness of the above recommendations.

Q. Should parents buy brand-name products or generic products to treat common winter illnesses?

Baig: Whatever works! Brand-name products do not provide more advantage as is generally thought. I say to my eczema patients that I would rather have them apply lots of Vaseline on skin than use a costly cream sparingly.

Q. What should parents of teenagers do to keep their children healthy?

Baig: Proper attire for cold weather should be stressed. Good nutrition and enough sleep are important. (Teens should be) staying away from soda and juices (while hydrating) themselves with water, soup and warm tea.

We see too many kids who don't want to give up their sports activities when they are sick. Your body needs more rest when you are stricken with winter illness.

Q. When is it appropriate to call a child in sick to school? When is it not?

First of all, if the child looks uncomfortable, the best place for him or her is home, sweet home.

Kids with fever, vomiting or diarrhea should stay home.

Young children are often sick during winter and so not every runny nose and cough needs isolation.

Q. What are the causes of the most common winter illnesses for children and adolescents?

Baig: Viral respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are most common. Asthma flare-ups are very common and kids who are on daily medications for asthma should continue to take them.

Q. What house conditions work best to keep children and adolescents' resistance to colds and the flu strong?

Baig: Proper clothing, no smoking, avoiding daycares if possible, home-cooked meals, hand hygiene and general hygiene in the house.

E-mail Jeremy Hauck at jhauck@gazette.net.