Families/Kids Archives

November 21, 2022

Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 11-21-22

Chana Davis, PhD and Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH

Those Nerdy Girls offer advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: * Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Denying to the Grave & Contributing Writer at TNG * Read more…

November 19, 2022

Nerdy Girl Live Q&A on Mon, 11/21: Triple Threat Thanksgiving & Science Denial

Families/Kids Socializing Staying Safe Uncertainty and Misinformation

Chana Davis, PhD

Monday, 11/21/22, at 1:30 pm EST/10:30 am PST Join Those Nerdy Girls for timely advice on staying well during a “triple threat” holiday season and practical insights into science denial – why it happens and how to navigate tricky conversations. Hosted by Those Nerdy Girls with: Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH: Co-Founder of Critica, Author of Read more…

November 14, 2022

How do I know if we have RSV, the flu, or COVID-19?

Families/Kids Infectious Diseases

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

The short answer is: process of elimination. First, rule out COVID-19 with a home test (with nose+throat swab technique! See link below). If that’s negative, assess your symptoms. If your first symptoms are drippy nose/sneezing, it’s more likely RSV. If your symptoms start out with a sudden high fever and body aches, it’s more likely Read more…

October 14, 2022

Do kids need COVID-19 vaccines?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Malia Jones, PhD MPH

A: Yes. Kids need COVID-19 vaccines. It is safe. It is necessary. When we compare kids who get COVID-19 to kids who do not get COVID-19, we see quite clearly that kids CAN and DO get really sick, and it is worth protecting them. And when we compare vaccinated kids to unvaccinated kids, the results Read more…

October 12, 2022

💥 Updated boosters approved for kids down to age 5 in the US

Families/Kids Vaccines

Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD

For those anxiously waiting, your 5-11 year-old can now get an Omicron-updated bivalent booster. (Everyone ages 12+ is already eligible). ❓ What are the options for bivalent boosters? ➡️ Moderna: Ages 6 and up ➡️ Pfizer: Ages 5 and up The booster is available to anyone *at least* two months since their last shot (whether Read more…

October 12, 2022

Are psychiatric medications over- or under-prescribed in children?

Families/Kids

Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH

A: Psychiatric medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants for disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are likely under-prescribed in some situations and over-prescribed in others. Psychiatric medications work best when used in combination with other treatments, such as evidence-based psychotherapies. Approximately 1 in 6 children under the age of 18 has a psychiatric disorder Read more…

October 5, 2022

Is it still important for my kids to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD

YES! For kids all the way down to 6 months, it’s never too late to give your child the gift of protection against an infectious disease that has killed more than 1,400 children in the U.S. and hospitalized many more. New real world data show that the COVID-19 vaccine protects against infection and *dramatically* lowers Read more…

September 28, 2022

I want my teenage daughter protected against pregnancy, but is birth control bad for her bones?

Families/Kids Reproductive Health

Alexandra Hall, MD

A: Most types of birth control are safe for teenage bones. Birth control has many benefits for teens. Preventing an unwanted pregnancy is really important. Birth control can also help decrease menstrual cramps and bleeding, improve acne, and treat endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Most types of birth control appear safe for teenage bones. If Read more…

September 16, 2022

“Why is the current breast feeding recommendation at least 2 years?

Families/Kids Reproductive Health

MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC

“Why is the current breast feeding recommendation at least 2 years? I feel like this puts a lot of pressure on moms (in a world that has enough ongoing pressures!)” –Karen from Madison, WI TL,DR: Individual breast/chest** feeding duration recommendations vary according to context and shared decision making involving parents, baby’s needs, their pediatric clinicians Read more…

September 1, 2022

Are COVID booster shots safe for kids?

Families/Kids Vaccines

Sarah Whitley Coles, MD

A: Yes! The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine booster dose is recommended for children aged 5-11 years old. A recent study showed that this booster dose is safe for children in this age group. There were no reports of myocarditis or deaths after the 3rd dose. In May 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Read more…

August 12, 2022

Dear Pandemic Live Q&A 08-12-22

Families/Kids Infection and Spread Infectious Diseases School Treatments Vaccines Videos

Chana Davis, PhD and Malia Jones, PhD MPH

Those Nerdy Girls answer your questions about Monkeypox, masking at school, bivalent boosters, COVID-19 rebound, and more. Hosted by: – Malia Jones, PhD, MPH: Dear Pandemic Co-Founder & former EIC – Chana Davis, PhD: Dear Pandemic Contributing Writer & Founder, Fueled by Science ➡️ Welcome and Intros (0:00-0:46) ➡️ Monkeypox – How worried should I Read more…

Nerdy Merch

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