What do we know? Loose stools, tummy ache, and decreased appetite are fairly common after gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, and sometimes persist for as long as six weeks. Unfortunately, tummy ache after the flu is usually caused by gas, and gas pain is one of the most intense pains children feel. This can be a very uncomfortable and disruptive problem, but will get better. Why does this happen? Loose stools and gas are caused by inflammation of the bowel, in the stomach. During the acute infection, the inside of the bowel becomes irritated, and sometimes diarrhea causes the villae which[Read more...]
A recent outbreak of mumps throughout the NHL has put the virus back in the spotlight. (image: PensTV) The mumps is an infection of the salivary glands. The salivary glands produce saliva that aids in keeping your mouth lubricated, helps you swallow and digest food, and helps to clean and protect your mouth against bacteria. They are located on both sides of your face, and in and around your mouth and throat. There are the major salivary glands, the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands and there are the minor ones that are located in your lips, inner cheek area, and[Read more...]
There are a lot of muscles in the neck that help to move your head back and forth, and from side to side. Sometimes, one of the muscles in the neck, called the sternocleidomastoid, can be tighter and shorter on one side compared to the other, causing a condition known as congenital muscular torticollis, or better known simply as torticollis. Torticollis is relatively common among newborns. What causes torticollis? The sternocleidomastoid muscle runs on both sides of the neck, from behind the ears down the neck to the collarbone. Torticollis may be a result of your baby being packed tightly[Read more...]
Work has finally started! Many of you in the QPAM family have watched over the past months as we have moved our medical suite into different places around our building at Station Street. You’ve put up with old washrooms, and a drafty waiting room. You’ve looked up at a ceiling in various stages of repair. You’ve parked in a messy parking lot and tiptoed around puddles. We drilled two wells in the parking lot as part of our Environmental Assessment of the property. While you were watching this, behind the scenes planners, engineers and inspectors were going through the building[Read more...]
Roseola is a common, but mild, infection that is caused by the herpes virus, specifically human herpes virus 6 and 7. This herpes virus that causes roseola is different from the one that causes genital herpes, although they are part of the same family of viruses. Roseola is spread from person to person by oral and respiratory sections. It is spread into the air when an infected person sneezes, talks, laughs, coughs, by sharing utensils or cups, or by touching someone who may have wiped their noses, coughed into their hands, touched their mouths or noses. Even if an infected[Read more...]
Strep throat, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a bacterial infection of the throat that is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Although it is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, strep throat can be found in people of all ages. Strep throat is easily spread from person to person through tiny air droplets, which are infected with the bacteria, are released into the air when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs around you. This air is then breathed in by a person increasing their chances of becoming infected with the strep bacteria. Some[Read more...]
Just in time for the new school year, our next Online Think Tank topic is “Family Holiday Activities!” It’s a bit different from our usual Think Tanks but it should be a fun way to lead into the holiday season! Everyone is welcome and you don’t need to be a patient family member to participate! From Friday December 5th – Monday December 8th this Facebook event will act as a digital forum where you can share and connect with us. All you need to do is join in and leave responses to the discussion threads that will be posted throughout the four days that the chat is active. There’s no specific[Read more...]
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a viral infection caused by the Coxsackie virus. It is a mild infection that most commonly affects children under the age of 10, especially those who are in day care centres, preschool or other areas where children are in close contact with one another. Your child may contract the virus by coming into contact with someone who is infected with the virus, through coughing or sneezing, or touching a surface contaminated with feces. The virus is very contagious and is spread easily from person to person. Like most viral infections, hand-foot-and-mouth lasts about 5 days. Fever is[Read more...]
Ever noticed a white coating in your child’s mouth? What is that white stuff anyways? It’s called oral candidiasis, better known as thrush. Thrush is an infection that is caused by a fungus called candida albicans. Tiny amounts of candida are normal in the mouth, but when it continues to multiply it causes thrush. Thrush can occur at any age, but it is most common in babies, those with weak immune systems or from certain medications. Babies are at increased risk for thrush because their immune systems are still developing so they are less likely to resist infections. What does[Read more...]
Chest pain is something that not only adults experience, but children too! The good news is most often, the source of chest pain in children is not related to any type of heart problems. An article in the Pediatrics Journal reported that in 3,700 children and young adults ages 7 to 22 who presented to the ER with chest pain at Children’s Hospital Boston from 2000 to 2009, only 37 cases, or 1%, showed a cardiac cause of chest pain. Any structure in the chest can cause pain in this area including the lungs, ribs, muscles, diaphragm, and even joints.[Read more...]
