Health Insurance

Health insurance is insurance that pays for medical expenses. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program, or from private insurance companies. It may be purchased on a group basis (e.g., by a firm to cover its employees) or purchased by individual consumers. In each case, the covered groups or i

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Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV)

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) protects against pneumococcal infections. The bacterium is a leading cause of serious infections, including pneumonia, blood infections, and bacterial meningitis. Children under 2 years old, adults over 65 years old, and people with certain medical conditions are most susceptible to serious pneumococcal infections. The pneumococcus bacterium is spread through person-to-person contact. The vaccine not onl

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Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects the liver. Those who are infected can become lifelong carriers of the virus and may develop long-term problems such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or cancer of the liver. Immunization Schedule Hepatitis B vaccine usually is given as a series of three injections. The first shot is often given to infants shortly after birth. If the mother of a newborn carries the hepatitis B virus in her blood, the infant needs to r

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Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine

The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox (varicella), a common and very contagious childhood viral illness. Immunization Schedule The varicella vaccine is given by injection between the ages of 12 and 15 months, followed by a booster shot at 4 to 6 years of age for further protection. Older kids under the age of 12 years who have not had chickenpox may also receive the vaccine, with the two doses given at least 3 months apart. Kids 13

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Influenza Vaccine

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Immunization Schedule These groups, who are at increased risk of flu-related complications, should receive the flu shot every year: all children between 6 months and 18 years old, especially those 6 to 59 months oldany child or adult with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and HIV/AID

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Hepatitis A Vaccine (HAV)

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice, and can lead to community-wide epidemics. Childcare centers are a common site of outbreaks. The vaccine is recommended for children 12-23 months old, followed by a second dose 6 months later. The vaccine is also recommended for older kids and adults who are at high risk for the disease, including those who are traveling to locations where there are high rates of HAV. Why

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Rotavirus Vaccine

Rotavirus is a common virus that causes diarrhea, especially in infants and young children. Childcare centers are a common site of outbreaks. The vaccine, which is a liquid given by mouth, is recommended at ages 2, 4, and 6 months. Why the Vaccine Is Recommended Rotavirus can cause dehydration secondary to large amounts of diarrhea, and can result in children requiring hospitalization. Vaccination against rotavirus can help stop spread in the

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HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes genital warts and changes in the cervix that can result in cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for girls 11 or 12 years old, as well as for older girls who are unvaccinated. It is given as a series of three shots over a 6-month period. Why the Vaccine Is Recommended Because HPV can cause serious problems such as genital warts and cervical cancer, a vaccine

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Immunization Schedule

This immunization schedule is a handy reference to help you keep track of which vaccines your child needs to receive and when. Types of Vaccines Four different types of vaccines are currently available: Attenuated (weakened) live viruses are used in some vaccines such as in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria are used in some vaccines, such as in IPV.Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin produced b

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MCV4

The meningitis vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis. The vaccine is recommended for kids at age 11 or 12 years, at ages 13 to 18 years if not previously vaccinated, and for older teens who are entering college and will be living in a dormitory setting. Why the Vaccine Is Recommended Bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane that protects the brain and s

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Hepatitis B Vaccinations

At birth, infants have protection against certain diseases because antibodies have passed through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. After birth, breastfed babies get the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the protection is temporary. Immunization (vaccination) is a way of creating immunity to certain diseases by using small amounts of a killed or weakened microorganism that causes the

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Thalassemias

What Are Thalassemias? Thalassemias are genetic disorders that involve the decreased and defective production of hemoglobin, a molecule found inside all red blood cells (RBCs) that transports oxygen throughout the body. As frightening as thalassemias can be, the outlook is encouraging. In the past 20 years, new therapies have greatly improved the quality of life and life expectancy in kids who have these diseases. Thee two types of thalassemi

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Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder in which red blood cells (RBCs) are abnormally shaped. This abnormality can result in painful episodes, serious infections, chronic anemia, and damage to body organs. These complications can, however, vary from person to person depending on the type of sickle cell disease each has. Some people are relatively healthy and others are hospitalized frequently. But thanks to advancements in early diagnosi

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Port Wine Stains

About Port-Wine Stains About 3 out of every 1,000 kids are born with a port-wine stain — a birthmark that literally looks like maroon wine was spilled or splashed on the skin. Though they often start out looking pink at birth, port-wine stains tend to become darker (usually reddish-purple or dark red) as kids grow. Port-wine stains (also known as nevus flammeus) can be anywhere on the body but most commonly are found on the face, neck, scalp,

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Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), a very common heart condition, occurs when one of the heart's valves doesn't work properly. MVP can be frightening because it involves the heart and can cause sharp chest pains, but it isn't a critical heart problem or a sign of other serious medical conditions. Because MVP often doesn't produce any symptoms or interfere with everyday life, in many cases it isn't diagnosed until adulthood. But with kids who are diag

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Heart Defect in Child

It can be frightening to learn that your child has a congenital heart defect (one that's present at birth). But congenital heart disease is a relatively common condition that affects almost 1 in every 100 newborns in the United States. Medical knowledge, technology, and experience can offer accurate diagnosis and treatments that allow nearly every form of congenital heart disease to be treated. Most defects today are treated with surgery, cathe

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