Kids

💡TL;DR: Use sterile 0.9% normal saline for most infants; it matches body salt levels and is gentle on tiny airways. Hypertonic 3% saline is for very thick mucus (such as some cases of bronchiolitis) and should be used only if your pediatrician prescribes it; 7% is specialist-directed. Plan

💡TL;DR: RSV can cause a skin rash, but it is uncommon and usually mild. Most rashes appear around days 3–5 of illness and fade within 3–7 days. The bigger risk with RSV is breathing problems, not the rash. Seek care fast for trouble breathing, blue lips/skin,

💡TL;DR: Most people with RSV are contagious for about 3 to 8 days after symptoms start, and you can begin spreading the virus 1 to 2 days before you feel sick. Babies, toddlers, older adults, and people with weak immune systems can shed RSV much longer, sometimes for 3

Is There a Test for RSV? 💡TL;DR: Doctors can test for RSV with a quick nose swab that looks for the virus in your mucus. Testing is usually reserved for infants, older adults, and people with high-risk conditions or severe breathing problems, not for every mild cold. Rapid tests

💡TL;DR: Croup and whooping cough are different illnesses: croup is a short-lived viral infection of the upper airway that causes a barky, seal-like cough, while whooping cough (pertussis) is a long-lasting bacterial infection that causes violent coughing fits with a gasping "whoop". Croup usually affects children 6

💡TL;DR: Most infant coughs are viral and improve with supportive care, but a nebulizer can help when there’s wheeze or heavy chest congestion. Use only sterile 0.9% saline or a doctor-prescribed medication; typical sessions take 5–10 minutes with a snug infant mask. Don’t use OTC

💡TL;DR: A pediatric nebulizer is simply a regular nebulizer with child-sized masks and quieter, easier designs so kids can breathe medicine as a fine mist. Choose a quiet, portable mesh unit with the right-sized mask to make 5–10 minute treatments calmer for infants and toddlers who can’t

💡TL;DR: Nebulizers help croup only when used with epinephrine in a medical setting; relief starts within minutes but typically wears off in about 2 hours, so observation is needed. Dexamethasone is the gold‑standard treatment and usually improves breathing in 2–3 hours, with effects lasting 24–72 hours.

What’s the Difference Between Reactive Airway Disease and Asthma? Hearing a doctor mention reactive airway disease when you expected to hear asthma can be confusing, especially when it’s about your child or someone you love. Both terms relate to breathing problems, wheezing, and coughing, but they’re not