Ask the Expert Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Baton Rouge Family Fun

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

October 13, 2016 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

You know the feeling. The sign posted on the door of daycare announcing the current illness that is floating around. Oh the dreaded sign! “We want to inform you that cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease have been diagnosed here at the center.” GREAT! There are likely two questions that are running through your head: 1) So what are we going to do when our child comes down with this latest illness? and 2) What exactly is Hand, Foot and Mouth disease? Well, that first question is one that I have struggled with many times in my own household, and unfortunately, I can’t help you answer, but that second question…I CAN help with that one!

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease is a very common viral illness in children, particularly those under 5 years of age. Older children, teens and even adults can get Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, but it is much less common as most people have had HFM by that time and therefore have natural immunity to these viruses. This illness is typically seen in the late summer to fall, but especially here in Louisiana with our mild climate, I will see cases of HFM year round. The virus is spread through contact with droplets of someone who is infected, so it is spread by sneezing and coughing as well as the saliva that children “share” with each other on toys. It is not uncommon to see mini “epidemics” of HFM that spread through daycare centers or other child care facilities. The incubation period for HFM is 3-6 days, so I generally tell parents to be on the lookout for signs of HFM for about 1 week after “the sign” is posted at daycare.

What are the symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

As with any other virus, each child may present differently, but most children will start out with fever. In the next few days, children will often develop the classic rash that really can be anywhere on the body but, as the name suggests, most commonly is seen on the hands, feet, and around and in the mouth. The rash looks like small blisters or ant bites, and you will find these spots on the palms and soles of the feet (there are not a lot of illnesses that will cause a rash on the palms and soles but HFM is one of them).

Especially in infants and toddlers, I will almost always see the rash in the diaper area and on the backs of the thighs as well. If you look inside the mouth, you may see ulcers on the inside of the lips or tongue as well as in the back of the throat. These blister lesions will typically continue to pop up over the first 3-5 days of the illness. After that time the rash will slowly begin to fade, and parents may even notice peeling of the skin where the blisters were located in the coming week. Finally, some children will have changes to their fingernails or toenails about 4-6 weeks after hand, foot, and mouth disease, and it may appear like the nail is “splitting” horizontally and coming off. No worries…there is a new nail under there!

Since HMF is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not make the illness or the rash go away. The mainstay of care for HFM is making sure children are drinking lots of liquids and using acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever. Sometimes the throat can be so painful for children that they will not want to drink liquids, and then the concern is that they could be become dehydrated. When it comes to liquids to offer, I often say that when kiddos are sick, they can have free reign of the liquids…so that means juice, milk, popsicles, Slurpees or even ice cream. Just something that has liquid form to it! If your child is refusing to take liquids, make sure and call your pediatrician as there are some occasions where a special mouthwash can be used to help with the pain. As far as the rash goes, most children are not bothered by the rash. It doesn’t hurt or itch typically and may only cause mild discomfort when walking for those children that have their little feet covered in blisters.

Now for the last remaining question that every parent asks, “When can my child go back to daycare/school?” and the answer might surprise you. Once your child is fever free for 24 hours and tolerating liquids well, they can return to school. Unlike chicken pox, the hand, foot, and mouth disease rash itself is not contagious! The only time I would recommend keeping kids out of daycare in regards to the rash is if they have many open sores that they are itching as these could easily become superinfected with bacteria (this is not very common with HFM whereas with chicken pox, superinfections of the skin are much more common). The virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease can be shed through respiratory droplets for 1 week after the illness and can be shed in the stool for several weeks following symptoms, so by no means are children kept out of daycare or school for this period of time. This is again one of those times where you hope your daycare is doing a good job of wiping down toys, washing hands, and practicing very good diaper changing hygiene!

For those of you who have been “lucky” enough to experience Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease already, you may say, “Wait a minute! My daycare told me that she couldn’t return until the blisters were crusted/gone.” Well, as I said above, fever free for 24 hours is the main criteria for return to daycare or school, but child care facilities are able to set their own return policies when it comes to infectious diseases like hand, foot, and mouth disease, so in many cases, their policy will be the “law of the land.”

So if the next dreaded sign on the door at daycare reads “Hand, foot and mouth disease,” take a deep breath as you are now armed and ready to deal with this unpleasant but all too common illness of childhood. And as with any illness, if you have specific questions or concerns about your child, please make sure and give your pediatrician a call…it’s what we are here for!

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this site is to share BRM moms’ experiences with food, fitness, health and life as well as opinions from some of our local experts. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. When it comes to your health or the health of your child, please be sure to contact your physician.

Cox Connect2Compete – getting more families online.

September 12, 2016 by Tiany Davis

Today’s kids are considered digital natives, they are growing up surrounded by and immersed in digital media. As a homeschool mom, not a day {or an hour} goes by that we do not turn to Google to get quick answers on just about any topic or question. The world’s encyclopedia is as weightless, free and instantly accessible as Wikipedia. Using the internet, you can learn a new language or delve into the depths of metaphysics with just a click of a mouse. The Web has unlocked the keys to a worldwide virtual school, a plethora of information and connectivity. Our boys use the internet to access their lessons, research and watch tutorials on just about anything they want to learn how to do. In much the same way, students are increasingly using the internet to keep up with homework assignments, to do research for school, and to connect with teachers and classmates.

Teachers are using digital tools in the classroom more and more to improve learning, assign online homework, post grades and email parents about student progress or needs. In today’s digital world, home internet connection is a necessity.

It’s hard to imagine living without the luxury of high speed internet, it’s something many of us take for granted. Unfortunately, too many are under-connected; an estimated one in three Louisiana residents does not have access at home. Students who don’t have internet at home struggle to keep up. Especially now, after the recent floods, I would imagine that many more children will go un-connected.

Having internet access at home is essential in helping students connect and succeed in the classroom and beyond. Living without internet access makes it hard for children to explore topics and ideas that interest them personally — what I, as a homeschool mom, call interest-driven learning. It’s easy to see that living without internet access can cause major learning gaps for children. Cox is working to alleviate this struggle.

Cox Connect2Compete Baton Rouge

Cox understands this new reality and works in the communities they serve to provide affordable internet and devices to low-income students and their families. Cox is striving to narrow the digital divide with Connect2Compete, a discounted Internet service available to qualifying households in our area.

There are many families in our area who want internet access but can’t afford the equipment or can’t afford the monthly fees. If you or someone you know is eligible for Connect2Compete, you need only apply online at www.connect2compete.org/Cox or call 855-222-3252 and get connected!

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

Keeping Children Safe After a Natural Disaster

August 25, 2016 by Tiany Davis

I have had my fair share of experiences with natural disasters, I lived in Miami during Hurricane Andrew, just minutes from one of the hardest hit areas. I volunteered with the Red Cross at makeshift shelters and vividly remember the children… scared, restless and tired.

A few years after Andrew I got married to a Baton Rouge native and moved to Baton Rouge. I thought I had seen the worst with Andrew until Katrina hit Louisiana and devastated New Orleans. Babies at the Super Dome went without formula and diapers. Children were separated from parents, some were lost in the shuffle of chaotic evacuations. More than 4,000 children were reported missing after Hurricane Katrina and the last child was not found until six months later. It was every parents worst nightmare.

baton-rouge-mom-003-inline-today-160822_ed7093f96a738a6ef4542662f0708b43.today-inline-large

Harmony Hobbs’s 4-year-old son, Asher, surveys the damage near their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

If there was one thing I had learned from Andrew and Katrina, it’s that your family and your home must be properly prepared for a natural disaster. I thought I was prepared, until floods quietly took over most parts of South Louisiana, in the middle of the night. Without warning, the majority of South Louisiana woke up to find their homes filling with water. Homes that were not in flood zones and perceived safe. I can’t adequately describe the helplessness of seeing friends posting on Facebook that they desperately needed rescuing. It was a morning of shock and panic as Louisianans scurried to find boaters who could go out to rescue loved ones. Photos of children sleeping on roof tops seemed unimaginable until it became a reality.Most of the damage was because of the plumbing that’s why I decided to call santa monica plumbercompany so my house is now prepare to any disaster like Andrew and Katrina.

An estimated 60,646 houses are damaged, 30,000 people were rescued; 13 deaths and thousands remain in shelters, the worst part is that the expert inheritance disputes have had to intervene in the situation, due to all the disputes between the victim’s families.

Thinking back to Katrina, I knew the impact Save the Children had on children after the storm, even years after. I reached out to a friend from Save the Children on day two of the floods and they immediately agreed to respond and help Louisiana’s smallest flood victims.

Thousands of children remain displaced and unable to return to school. Friends have told me of their children crying at the sight of rain. These children face risk of serious emotional and developmental consequences if proper steps are not taken to ensure that they receive the support that they need.

Keeping Children Safe After a Natural Disaster

I was given the opportunity to spend the day at our largest shelter with Save the Children to see their child friendly spaces and talk with families staying at the shelter. The child friendly spaces offer children a safe place to play while giving parents time to care for themselves and flood related business. It warmed my heart to see children smiling, laughing and playing in the midst of crisis. The parents I spoke to were relieved and grateful to have a safe area for their children to go to. The situation is still dire, we have 3000 people in shelters, they’re overcrowded and being consolidated. These families have lost what little they had and many of them have nowhere to go and no family to call on.

Save the Children is doing a phenomenal job of protecting and caring for the children in shelters, this is an organization that deeply cares for their welfare and well-being. Throughout the day I watched as the coordinator worked to close loopholes to protect the kids at the shelter. I can’t imagine the shelters without these child friendly spaces and the resources that Save the Children brings.

Save the Children is also working to assess the needs of families and fill those needs. Next, they will work on creating temporary learning stations with an education advisor so children’s education won’t be delayed. Once these kids go back to school Save the Children will have their psychosocial expert available to help children and equip teachers and parents with the tools and resources they need to support children that have lost so much and experienced such tragedy.

If you are able, please consider making a monetary donation in support of the work Save the Children is doing in Louisiana, this is a tangible way to immediately help Louisiana’s children. We have a long road ahead of us and we need them here for the long haul. You can learn more about the work Save the Children is doing and donate here —> http://www.savethechildren.org/gulf-floods

What can moms do to help their children at a time like this?

August 23, 2016 by Guest Contributor

Throughout the area, families are dealing with enormous challenges and the stress levels that come along with them. In my role as psychosocial lead for Save the Children, I’m spending time at the shelters working to help families who have no other place to go. The moms I talked to today were worried about so many things that the first thing I wanted to do for them was help them find ways to cope.

I started by really listening to them and acknowledging all the fears and emotions they are dealing with. That went a long way. If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, please try to find someone who can do the same for you. And if you can’t, try writing down your feelings, taking a walk, or using other strategies that have worked for you at other stressful times in your life.

Self-care is so important. One of the moms I spoke with today had a young baby and her husband had just been abandoned them after a fight. He had taken the few belongings they had salvaged with him, so the first thing we did was help her find a change of clothes for herself and her child. But then we talked through her other challenges and what she could do to feel calmer and more equipped to start taking them on one at a time.

I connected this lovely woman with some other moms and they quickly offered each other emotional support. Together we discussed how the stress they were feeling as moms could easily transfer to their children. They realized it wasn’t selfish at all to look after themselves, and how important it is for their little ones.

Certainly this is a scary and uncertain time for many children. They look to their parents and caregivers for guidance and reassurance, but sometimes we aren’t sure of the best way to manage. Here are basic ideas I hope can help.

10 Tips to Help Kids Cope with Disasters

Limit TV time. Watching television reports on disasters can overwhelm younger children who may not understand an event is being replayed and instead think the disaster is happening over and over again. Overexposure to coverage of the events affects teenagers and adults as well.
Listen to your children carefully. Emotional stress results in part when a child cannot give meaning to dangerous experiences. Begin a dialog to help them gain a basic understanding that is appropriate for their age and responds to their underlying concerns.
Give children reassurance. Let them know that if any emergency or crisis should occur, your primary concern will be their safety. Make sure they know they are being protected.
Be alert for significant changes. Be aware of changes in sleeping patterns, eating habits,
concentration, wide emotional swings or frequent physical complaints without apparent illness. They will likely subside within a short time but if prolonged, we encourage you to seek professional support and counseling.
Expect the unexpected. As children develop, their intellectual, physical and emotional capacities change. Younger children will depend largely on their parents to interpret events, while older children and teenagers will get information from a variety of sources that may not be as reliable. While teenagers seem to have more adult capacities to recover, they still need extra love, understanding and support to process these events.
Give your children extra time and attention. They need your close, personal involvement to comprehend that they are safe and secure. Talk, play and listen to them. Find time to engage in special activities for children of all ages.
Be a model for your child. Your child will learn how to deal with these events by seeing how you deal with them. Base the amount of self-disclosure on the age and developmental level of each of your children. Explain your feelings but remember to do so calmly.
Watch your own behavior. Make a point of showing sensitivity toward those impacted by the disaster. This is an opportunity to teach your children that we all need to help each other.
Help your children return to normal activities. Children almost always benefit from activity,
goal orientation and sociability. Ensure that your child’s school environment is also returning to normal patterns and not spending great amounts of time discussing the crisis.
Encourage your child to do volunteer work. Helping others can give your child a sense of control, security and empathy. In the midst of crisis, adolescents and youth can emerge as active agents of positive change.

We are sharing these tips with parents in the shelters when they bring their kids to our child-friendly spaces. It’s wonderful to see the children play, smile and have fun again, but we all know there is so much more work to be done to help these children and their families bounce back.

If you’d like to support our response and recovery work, please consider donating at www.SavetheChildren.org/Gulf-Floods.

Thank you!

Anjana Dayal de Prewitt

20 Rainy Day Activities For Kids

August 12, 2016 by Guest Contributor

When it’s too hot, wet, or cold to go outside, you’ll need something for the kiddos to do to keep your sanity. Here are 20 rainy day activities and things to do with kids that should help keep the kids entertained for a day or two. 😉

20 rainy day activities to do with your kids:

Get out the crafts – Let the kids use their imaginations and create a masterpiece.
Make a fort in the living room out of blankets.
Play Restaurant – Let the kids help in the kitchen for a day – bake cookies, make lunch and dinner together and have them “critique” meals on paper.
Write letters to friends and family or fill out a years worth of birthday cards.
Have a fashion show or photo shoot or better yet, make a photo both and take lots of funny pictures. Making photo props can be fun and allow the creative juices to flow!
Read books.
Put on a puppet show. During Hurricane Katrina, we had our boys put on a play with puppets, or paper dolls. They drew the characters, cut them out, glued them to cardboard and glued a stick on the backside, fixed a stage out of a large shipping box, wrote a script and put on a play. This entertained them for hours!
Make paper airplanes and have a flying contest like this review by Top9Rated.
Cleaning party! Crank up the radio and have a dance party while cleaning the house! Clean, de-clutter and exhaust the kids. It’s a win win!
Skype or FaceTime Catch up with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while or talk to friends fellow home-bound friends.
Donate – Go through your home with the kids and find items {clothes, toys, appliances} to donate.
Camp out– Create an indoor camp with tents and use the microwave to make s’mores.
Make snowflakes and tape them to the windows.
Try to make Origami – this site has tons of great ideas.
Go to the movies at home– pop some popcorn and catch up on movies you have yet to see or revisit an old favorite.
Puzzles, board games and Charades are always a must on a snow day…try to change things up or make up your own games. Use this Charades generator to get ideas.
Learn something NEW: there are so many tutorials online these days, you can learn to do just about anything, including coding for kids! Take a few coding classes and create your own video game!
Decorate the house and get a head start on Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day crafts!
Go through old photos – this always offers plenty of entrainment.
Go play! Bundle up the family for some gold old outdoor play time, even if it’s only ice!

We would love to hear your ideas for indoor activities, please share them on our Facebook page!

Baton Rouge Real Estate 101 for First Time Homebuyers – Part 1

June 7, 2016 by Melanie Murr

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness, parenting and living in Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge recently ranked as the No. 7 city in the country for first time home buyers according to realtor.com. High mortgage availability, along with a low unemployment rate and a fun, festive culture were cited as reasons the Baton Rouge area has become a “nouveau hipster haven” for first time home buyers. 52% of all mortgages in Baton Rouge have gone to homeowners between the ages of 25 and 34, placing Baton Rouge at the top spot for mortgages in that age bracket among all ranked markets.

Photo credit – Darrell Miller

The biggest question most first time home buyers face is “how do I know when I’m ready to buy a home?” The very first step I recommend is speaking with a good mortgage loan officer. There are thousands of articles online with many competing opinions about when is the right time to buy a home, but nothing determines your readiness more than the bottom line. A good loan officer will explain the criteria to obtain a loan, the loan approval process, and all the potential costs. After going over everything and reviewing your financial information, you should come away with one of two things, a letter of pre-approval or a plan.

A pre-approval letter is your green light to start house shopping. You meet all the criteria to obtain a mortgage for an amount that you can afford based on your credit, income, and existing debt.

If you don’t meet the criteria to be approved for a mortgage yet, or you aren’t happy about the amount you can get approved for, or you just aren’t quite ready, your loan officer is an invaluable resource for coming up with a plan to raise your credit score, or strategically reduce debt so that you can purchase in the future.

If you are ready to take the next step and continue down the path to home ownership, your loan officer will help you determine what type of mortgage is right for you. If you don’t have a large chunk of cash saved for a down payment, Baton Rouge first time home buyers have an abundance of options for purchasing a home with little or no money down. According to Tasha Guarisco with Assurance Financial, some of the most popular options include the USDA Rural Development program, FHA loans, the new HomeReady conventional loan from Fannie Mae, and Capital Area Finance Authority’s Capital Advantage Program.

So you’ve dug through your tax returns, W2’s, pay stubs, and bank statements, given them to your loan officer and gotten your pre-approval letter. You’ve carefully thought it over and decided how much you really want to spend based on your desired budget… Show me the houses already!

Melanie Murr can help you with with your home buying needs at Third Coast Realty Group. Third Coast Realty Group is a locally owner Boutique Real Estate Firm with offices in Baton Rouge and Denham Springs connecting you to real estate throughout the Gulf South.

Resources

Third Coast Realty Group

Los Suenos Luxury Real Estate

Rural Development Loan Information

Capital Advantage Program

Top 10 Cities for First Time Homebuyers – realtor.com

Baby Safe Homes Louisiana – Giveaway

May 2, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Each year, children are injured by hazards in and around the home. Household injuries account for the most visits to the ER in children under the age of 3 , and nearly 70% of the children who die from unintentional injuries at home are 4 years old and under.

Thankfully, the risk of injury can be reduced or prevented by using child-safety devices like the popular wifi baby monitor that let monitor your baby all the time . Safety devices should be sturdy enough to hinder access and yet easy for you to use.

Most importantly, to be effective, they must be properly installed. This is where Baby Safe Homes Louisiana comes to the baby proofing rescue! Baby Safe Homes Louisiana offers BABY/TODDLER proofing and they come to YOU!

What is Baby Safe Homes Louisiana?

Baby Safe Homes are a professional, same-day baby proofing service. It is their mission to provide families with peace of mind by creating an environment for their babies and toddlers to explore, learn and grow safely, visit website to get the most adorable baby toys there are.

From infant to toddler safety, Baby Safe Homes offers everything that you need to baby proof your home. Their trained baby safety consultants recommend specialized safety products; they will help design the solution that is right for you and your family to help keep your baby safe.

GIVEAWAY

Baby/Toddler proofing for YOUR HOME!! Win a baby safety gate (Value $100) OR select $100 in products from Baby Safe Homes Louisiana PLUS a FREE In-Home Inspection & Consultation ($95 Value) Total GIVEAWAY VALUE $195

a Rafflecopter giveawaySources: Kidshealth.org

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What to Expect

February 10, 2016 by Guest Contributor

“Ask the Experts” is a series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness and parenting. If you have a question for one of our experts, please leave it in the comments below to be featured in an upcoming article. February is Children’s Dental Health Month and we have an informative article from Ascension Children’s Dental.

As a parent, you may be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that you take your child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts or by your child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Many parents make the mistake of bringing their child to the dentist when they have their first toothache. This can lead to a more traumatic experience for your child’s first visit, resulting in unnecessary fear of the dentist.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be as easy and pleasant as possible. At our office, I believe in keeping this first appointment short. During the visit, I will evaluate your child’s teeth and gums and discuss any relevant oral hygiene instructions with you. If your child is older for their first visit, then I may recommend a cleaning and fluoride treatment. This first appointment really helps our team develop a trusting relationship with your child to promote stress free dental appointments in the future.
As a parent, it’s important for you to know that your child’s behavior towards the dentist is usually a reflection of your own attitude and level of anxiety.
I put together some tips to prepare your child for his/her dental visit, no matter their age, to help the visit go smoothly:

Make an appointment for a time of day that works best for your child. We do not recommend scheduling their appointment during nap time or when they are just waking up from a nap.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to accompany their child during the initial exam. This allows us the opportunity to communicate directly with you about your child’s dental health.
During the initial exam, I often will have you hold your child in your lap with their head positioned in my lap. Before the appointment, you can practice holding your child in this knee-to-knee position so he or she knows what to expect when the time comes.
Never convey anxiety to your child. Children are very receptive to words, moods, tones and body language. If a child can sense that you are fearful, they are likely to anticipate discomfort and become fearful too. Tell your child about the visit but don’t go into detail. Over-preparing your child can create anxiety.
Watch what you say around your child. Never let your child hear of any past bad dental visits – either experienced by yourself or siblings. Be aware not to use words like “needle”, “drill”, “shot”, “pinch”, “yank”, or “pull.” Never tell your child that something may or may not “hurt.” Explain to your child that the pediatric dentist will count his/her teeth and will help them with the important job of keeping their teeth clean and beautiful. Keep it simple!
Do not be alarmed if your child cries during the first visit. Crying is perfectly normal. Remain positive and supportive and work with me during this time.

The more positive and supportive you can remain before and after your child’s first dental visit, the better says Dr. Swauger, a pediatric dentist. He said that it is the parents job to build Healthy Habits For Your Kids. Each time your child visits the dental office, it will be easier and easier, especially if they remember the previous experience as a positive and enjoyable one. Your child will also be more likely to develop good oral hygiene habits and want to take good care of their teeth. Developing a good relationship at an early age with the dentist will most often help your children carry these routines well into their adult lives.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule your child’s first appointment, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call (225) 402-4118.

The six things moms need to know about the Zika virus

January 27, 2016 by Dr. Mindy Calandro

The Zika virus is currently being seen in epidemic numbers in at least 22 countries, some of which are popular tropical travel destinations. In fact, the Center for Disease Control for the first time ever issued a travel warning specifically for pregnant women last week cautioning about travel to areas where the Zika virus is rampant. Here is what you might want to know about the Zika virus.

What is the Zika virus and how is it transmitted?

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda, but until 2007, the virus really was not seen in humans. The Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which is also the mosquito responsible for transmitting Chikungunya and Dengue viruses as well. Unlike the Culex species of mosquito that transmits West Nile Virus and mainly likes to bite in the dawn and dusk hours, the Aedes mosquito prefers to feed on its host during the daytime hours.

What are the symptoms of the Zika virus?

It is estimated that 80% of people who are infected with the Zika virus will have no symptoms at all, and the other 20% could have a very mild illness with symptoms such as fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain. These symptoms generally occur within 2-7 days after a person is infected with the virus, and the illness likely will last a few days to a week. There is concern about a possible link between the Zika virus and Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune related neurologic disease that may lead to paralysis.

So why is it a big deal for pregnant women?

There has been an alarming increase in a birth defect known as microcephaly, or babies being born with abnormally small heads, in countries where the Zika virus is very common. Infants born with microcephaly may also have abnormalities of their brain because of incomplete development. Brazil, in particular, has seen more than 3,800 cases of microcephaly since October 2015, which is more than a 25-fold increase in the rates of microcephaly when compared to previous years. There is also concern that the Zika virus could cause loss of pregnancy. Scientist are feverishly working to determine just how strong the link between the Zika virus and microcephaly and pregnancy loss is, but the trend is concerning enough that health officials have taken notice.

Is this the first virus that can cause problems for developing fetuses?

No. Viruses causing birth defects are nothing new. Viruses such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, parvo B19 and even chickenpox can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus and can cause a host of problems in a baby ranging from hearing loss to anemia to small size of the baby. However, most women have had either been vaccinated against (think MMR and chickenpox vaccine) or have had these virus by the time they reach childbearing age, and therefore, already have immunity from these illnesses. Since the Zika virus is just emerging and there is no preventative vaccine, we do not have any protection from this virus.

Have there been any cases of the Zika virus here in the US?

No…and yes! 234 pregnant women in the US have been diagnosed with Zika virus, acording to the CDC. The CDC hasn’t disclosed where any of these women were infected with the virus, or how they came in contact with it. So far, three babies have been born in the US with Zika-linked birth defect microcephaly. The defects were also seen in three other pregnancies that ended. All the cases are connected to travel to areas with outbreaks of the mosquito-borne virus, primarily Latin America and the Caribbean. There’s been no local spread of Zika in the U.S.

What should expectant mommies do?

If you were planning a trip to one of the areas on the CDC travel advisory list, I would put those travel plans on hold! We spend 9 months doing everything in our power to protect our growing little bundles of joy possibly giving up our favorite raw sushi roll, our morning extra venti caffeinated latte, or foregoing your next skydiving adventure (not sure that I would ever be brave enough for that one honestly). There is so much about pregnancy that we cannot predict, so in my opinion, we should try to limit those things that are known risks. Until more is know about the Zika virus and how it may specifically affect a growing fetus, I would encourage pregnant women to err on the side of abundant caution and avoid travel to those areas inundated with the Zika virus.

If travel to one of the countries with a Zika outbreak is unavoidable, how can women protect themselves?

You must make sure to take precautions against mosquito bites. Use either a DEET or Picaridin containing mosquito repellent at all times (remember, the Aedes mosquito likes to bite during the day and not only dusk ‘till dawn like other mosquitoes). Also, wear lightweight long sleeves and pants and even clothing that is permethrin-treated to cover as much of the skin as possible. Finally, if your lodging is open to the outdoors, make sure to have a mosquito bed net over where you will be sleeping.

I am not usually one to “sound the alarm” before I have a wealth of data and information in front of me, but the Zika virus and its possible association with a severe birth defect warrants our attention. While a change to travel plans is not convenient (especially when you have been looking forward to crystal blue water, a beach chair and a virgin pina colada), the beaches will still be there in a few months and scientist will have had the time to further research how a tiny virus from a pesky mosquito could cause lifelong problems for your still growing baby.

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

October 21, 2015 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Halloween: A Kid’s Dream and a Dentist’s Nightmare

All kids (and some parents) want to load up on all the Halloween candy they can get. Why even have the “Trick” in “Trick or Treat”?! Right?

As a pediatric dentist, I obviously don’t want your kids to eat too many sweets. Although I love seeing their smiling faces, I don’t want to find new cavities or an unglued crown that came out when they were eating a Laffy Taffy! Moderation is key here. I would say don’t deprive your kids of candy. After all, that’s what Halloween is all about! But my advice is to go through all the candy together with your kids and choose 2-3 pieces they can have that day. Then stash the rest away out of sight.

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

The best types of candy for your child’s teeth are dark chocolates or sugar-free hard candies. Dark chocolates have antioxidants and are crunchy and dissolve quickly in the mouth. This means your child’s teeth will be exposed to sugar for less time.

Types of candy to avoid are hard candies that remain in the mouth for longer periods of time (i.e. lollipops) because these expose your child’s teeth to sugar over longer periods of time and have an increased chance of causing tooth decay. Similar to hard candy, caramels and gummies will stay in the mouth longer and also tend to stick to our teeth’s biting surface, creating a perfect environment for cavities to form. Sour candies have increased acidity and can cause tooth enamel to break down more quickly.

Another great idea is to give kids fun, but healthy (SHH!) Halloween treats. I love Pinterest for ideas and found a great site with Halloween snacks for kids. Check it out here: http://www.cleanandscentsible.com/2013/09/heathy-halloween-food-ideas.html

Halloween doesn’t have to be a dentist’s nightmare. As long as candy is eaten in moderation and you supplement that candy with some fun, healthier alternatives, your kids can enjoy Halloween and still have a healthy smile!

For more information on children’s oral health or if you have any questions, please visit www.ascensionsmiles.com or call us at (225) 402-4118.