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Is It Just a Cold? How to Recognize When It’s Something More
As soon as the sniffles start, many parents face the same question: Is it just a cold, or is it something more serious? Colds are common, especially during the fall and winter months, and in most cases, they’re mild and manageable at home. But sometimes what looks like an ordinary cold can actually be the…
Read MoreThe Superhero Origin of Kaden “Blaze” Stevenson
What began as a typical December for 10-year-old Kaden Stevenson of Grand Blanc, Michigan, quickly turned into a life-altering battle. Right before Christmas in 2022, Kaden’s mom noticed he wasn’t his usual energetic self. After days of monitoring and worsening leg pain, she rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with Influenza A,…
Read MoreWhen to Keep Your Child Home: A Parent’s Guide to Sick Days
As a parent, few decisions are as tricky as deciding whether to keep your child home from school or daycare. You want them to stay on top of their studies and spend time with friends, but sending a sick child into a classroom can spread illness quickly, especially during cold and flu season. It’s a…
Read MoreThe Burden of Flu — How Influenza Hits Your Family’s Wallet (and What You Can Do About It)
Every cough and missed day of school adds up. For families, seasonal influenza isn’t just a health problem, it’s an economic one. Medical bills, lost wages, childcare and the hidden costs of disrupted daily life combine to make flu a recurring financial stressor. This post explains where those costs come from, who feels them most,…
Read MoreFrom Flu to RSV: What You Need to Know About Overlapping Viruses
As the colder months approach, many families brace themselves for the annual surge of seasonal illnesses. But recent years have shown us that flu season is no longer just about the influenza virus. Instead, multiple respiratory viruses circulate simultaneously, notably influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and, more recently, COVID-19. This overlap can create confusion…
Read MorePublic Health Starts at Home: 5 Habits to Teach Your Kids This Fall
As the school year begins and temperatures start to drop, children are once again surrounded by their peers in classrooms, on buses, and during extracurricular activities. This increased exposure makes fall a prime time for the spread of infectious diseases like the flu, RSV, Covid-19, and the common cold. While vaccines are one of the…
Read MoreInfectious Diseases 101: What They Are, How They Spread, and How to Stop Them
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by harmful organisms (pathogens) such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. While many of these microorganisms live harmlessly in and on our bodies, some can cause disease—especially when they’re easily spread from person to person. What Are Infectious Diseases? Some infectious diseases range from the common cold and seasonal influenza…
Read MoreUnderstanding Seasonal Illnesses: What to Expect This Fall
As the leaves begin to change and temperatures cool, the arrival of fall brings more than just cozy sweaters and pumpkin-flavored everything—it also marks the return of seasonal illnesses, such as the flu. Each year, families across the country may experience a spike in respiratory illnesses and other fall (or use seasonal) health trends, which…
Read MoreFall Illness Prep: How to Get Your Family Ready for Flu Season
As the fall season arrives, so does the increased risk of respiratory illnesses—especially the flu. For families, this time of year brings more than changing leaves and cooler weather. It signals the start of a months-long period when flu season takes hold, and viruses begin to spread more easily, particularly in schools, daycares, and indoor…
Read MoreBack-to-School Health Checklist: Infectious Disease Prevention for Families
Back-to-School Health Checklist: Infectious Disease Prevention for Families As summer winds down and kids prepare to return to the classroom, families across the country are busy gathering supplies, organizing schedules, and checking off to-do lists. While notebooks and backpacks are important, one of the most essential back-to-school preparations is protecting your child’s health. Classrooms are…
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