December 6-12, 2009 is National Hand Washing Awareness Week and is a great time to learn more about the importance of proper hand washing.

Proper hand washing is an easy way to stay healthy year-round, helping your kids avoid cold and flu viruses, bacteria that can cause food poisoning and other infections, and germs they can get from their pets or other sick kids. Review these hand washing steps with your kids to make sure they know how to wash their hands correctly.

Related:
How to Wash your Hands Properly
Avoiding the Flu
National Hand Washing Awareness Week

We have gotten used to blaming outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli on contaminated foods, especially with the recent food poisoning outbreaks that were caused by contaminated peanut butter, pistachios, and ground beef, etc.

A new Salmonella outbreak is a good reminder that it is not only foods that can make you sick with these bacterial infections. The CDC reports that the latest outbreak is likely linked to 'contact with water frogs including African Dwarf Frogs.' Since June 2009, 48 people have been gotten sick in 25 states, the majority of them being less then 10 years old.

Although experts have long warned parents not to have frogs and turtles as pets if they have a child less then 5 years old in the home, this is a timely reminder for anyone considering a pet frog or turtle (or other amphibian or reptile) as a Christmas present for a young child.

To be safe, even older children and adults should remember to wash their hands after touching their pets or cleaning their cages or aquariums. Also, don't let these pets to roam around the house, especially in the kitchen, as that can be a good way for them to spread the Salmonella bacteria. If you do have a pet frog or turtle in your home, be sure to see your doctor if your child develops Salmonella symptoms and let them know about your pet.

Related:
CDC: Salmonella Typhimurium Investigation
Preventing Food Poisoning
Food Storage and Food Safety
Health Alert - Reptiles as Pets

With all of the different ADHD medications that are now available, such as Ritalin, Adderall XR, Focalin XR, Concerta, Vyvanse, and Strattera, etc., it is getting easier to find the right medication for children that have ADHD, both to decrease their ADHD symptoms and to minimize any side effects they may have.

Still, having another ADHD medication, such as Intuniv, a new non-stimulant treatment for ADHD, is welcome news for many parents and pediatricians.

Related:
ADHD Symptoms
Vyvanse
Concerta
ADHD Medications
Understanding ADHD

Even as swine flu activity continue to decrease, which may indicate a peak in swine flu cases, it is important to remember that we are still seeing widespread flu activity in forty-three states.

And with some experts predicting another wave of swine flu cases this winter, this decrease in swine flu cases doesn't mean that you shouldn't get your kids vaccinated against the flu, especially as the swine flu vaccine is just now becoming more available.

Related:
Swine Flu Vaccine Safety and Controversies
Serious Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Timeline