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Safety & Prevention

The 2024-25 flu season was the deadliest flu season for U.S. children in more than a decade, according to September 2025 reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One report included data on the 280 U.S. children who died, and while the authors say that it’s unclear why there were more pediatric deaths than in previous seasons, the best way to protect children from flu is to get them vaccinated. Based on their findings, of the 208 children with vaccine information available, 89% had not been fully vaccinated against flu. Overall, only about half of children in the U.S. got their flu shot last year. Here are some things to know about flu shots and how this year’s flu vaccines are more convenient — and important — for families than ever. When is flu season? The official flu season in the United States typically runs from October […]

More than 7 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (or T. cruzi), the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In the United States, the number of cases is relatively low but appears to be growing, especially in certain regions. According to experts at UCLA Health, approximately 45,000 people in Los Angeles County are infected, among more than 300,000 in the United States, and fewer than 2% of them are aware they carry the parasite. However, these reports are not as current as the clinical community would like, given the calculated risk of exposure. This has led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advocate for reclassifying certain states as endemic (en-DEM-ik) areas where infected parasites live and potentially transmit the disease. What is Chagas disease? Chagas (SHAH-gus) disease is caused by the T. cruzi parasite, which is harbored by approximately a dozen species of bloodsucking triatomine bugs, commonly referred […]

People often assume that natural products are harmless or non-addictive. However, natural products can have side effects just like pharmaceuticals. In March 2025, Botanic Tonics’ CEO reported that Feel Free had surpassed a quarter of a billion dollars in annual sales profitability during its third year. According to NielsenIQ data, as of July 2024, Feel Free held the No. 1 spot for eight consecutive quarters in the ‘Shelf Stable Energy & Supplements in Convenience’ category. By August 2025, Botanic Tonics stated it had sold over 129.7 million servings of Feel Free. Yet, despite its commercial success, some users have begun to question the product’s true cost, with some even referring to it as “Feel Trapped” due to concerns over dependency or side effects. What are the ingredients in Feel Free CLASSIC? Unlike pharmaceuticals, natural products like Feel Free aren’t subject to rigorous regulation, leaving consumers uncertain about their actual composition. […]

As we turn the calendar page to September, one challenge looms: the arrival of “Asthma Peak Month,” with the third week being “Asthma Peak Week” where asthma triggers are at their highest of the year. This period marks a significant increase in asthma symptoms. Combined with the extra stress and exposures of children heading back to school, understanding why this peak and week happens can help you better prepare your child for the possibility of more asthma attacks. Understanding Asthma Peak Week Asthma peak week, typically the third week of September, marks a critical period when the number of asthma attacks spikes dramatically. Although it affects people of all ages, this phenomenon is particularly notable among children. The transition back into the classroom, for example, exposes kids to a variety of new allergens and irritants (plus viruses), which can trigger or worsen their asthma symptoms. That’s because one of the […]

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a powerful and life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Opioids are a type of medicine often prescribed to manage pain, but they can be dangerous if misused. Millions of families in the United States have lost a loved one due to an overdose, but in the case of opioid overdoses, we have a tool that can help. The American Academy of Pediatrics called on pediatricians to help reduce these tragic losses by educating families about overdose prevention. By learning about naloxone, you can be better prepared to protect your loved ones and save a life. What is Naloxone? Naloxone is a medication designed to quickly reverse the effects of opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, and prescription pain medications like oxycodone. Narcan is simply a brand name for naloxone, which is why you may hear it used interchangeably. It works by blocking the opioids […]

Many teens enjoy how they look with a fresh tan. To keep that glow year-round, some turn to tanning beds believing it’s a safer or easier option than sunbathing. But here’s the truth: research shows that tanning beds are actually more harmful than natural sun exposure. How Tanning Beds Work and Their Risks Tanning beds use florescent lights to emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that darkens the skin. The UV exposure stimulates melanocytes — cells in the skin that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. While it may seem like a simple process, tanning beds expose the skin to high levels of UVA and UVB radiation. While early detection is important, prevention is key. Just 10 minutes in a tanning bed exposes your teen’s skin to concentrated UVA and UVB rays that are often much stronger than natural sunlight — these rays penetrate deep, damaging the DNA in skin cells. […]