Health and Parenting
girl holding an inhaler for asthma

Asthma and COVID: Four things families need to know now

It’s an ongoing message from the media: People with underlying health conditions appear to be at higher risk for developing complications of COVID-19. So it’s no wonder that kids with asthma and their parents are worried. “Almost every family I speak with has questions about COVID-19,” says Elizabeth Klements, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Bridgewater ... Read More about Asthma and COVID: Four things families need to know now
Clinical Care
N95 mask with illustrated germs outside of it

Otolaryngology care during the COVID-19 pandemic

With the rapid spread of COVID-19, health care institutions around the globe have quickly revised their standard practices and policies to address the crisis. Protecting clinicians from infection is more critical than ever, particularly in high-risk fields such as otolaryngology. Yet the lack of clear guidelines and shortages of testing materials and personal protective equipment ... Read More about Otolaryngology care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Clinical Care
A room full of ventilators waiting to be sent to hospitals that need them.

Online ventilator training addresses COVID-19 clinician shortage

While hospitals around the nation and the world scramble to locate enough mechanical ventilators to treat an influx of patients with COVID-19, many also fear a clinician shortage that will grow worse as the pandemic continues. “COVID-19 is straining the critical care workforce in ways we have never seen before,” says Traci Wolbrink, MD, associate ... Read More about Online ventilator training addresses COVID-19 clinician shortage
Research
hydroxychloroquine weighing on a scale

Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19: What we know so far

Despite the current hype, infectious disease experts and others are cautious about using chloroquine drugs in the current COVID-19 pandemic. While the urgent need for COVID-19 treatments justifies the rapid pace of trials, several concerns have been raised related to the limitations of studies published so far. Kristin Moffitt, MD The drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine ... Read More about Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19: What we know so far
Health and Parenting
two sisters skateboarding while social distancing

‘I’ve got your back’: Insight on social distancing from a Boston Children’s mom

How are you? If you’re feeling frayed with worry about pretty much every aspect of your life, then we’re in the same boat. Today’s new ‘normal,’ with ever-changing information to process and restrictions on our daily lives, leaves us all feeling physically exhausted by stress yet unable to rest and regroup. Instead, we feel a deep ... Read More about ‘I’ve got your back’: Insight on social distancing from a Boston Children’s mom
Health and Parenting
Front desk of Boston Children's Hospital during COVID-19 outbreak

Coronavirus: Ensuring patient and staff safety during the pandemic

As the coronavirus and COVID-19 infection continues to spread through the Boston area, we’ve heard many questions and concerns from patients and their families about safety at Boston Children’s Hospital. We thought it might be helpful to answer the most commonly asked questions here. If you’d like more information about Boston Children’s response to COVID-19, ... Read More about Coronavirus: Ensuring patient and staff safety during the pandemic
Research
bag of plasma for transfusion

Could plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients help others?

As new cases of COVID-19 mount daily, treatment revolves around supportive therapy to reduce symptoms, meaning there are no treatments shown to slow down or kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One new idea actually isn’t so new: transfusing blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients into patients currently sick with the disease. Last week, the Food and Drug ... Read More about Could plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients help others?
Health and Parenting
bored teen practicing social distancing at home

Teens, social distancing, and anxiety in the time of COVID-19

You’d think teens would be in their sweet spot: minimal school, no extracurriculars, and plenty of time to sleep in, watch Netflix, surf the web, and have video chats. But in reality, many teens are unnerved by COVID-19 and the disruption it has brought. Many struggle with being stuck at home, unable to visit their ... Read More about Teens, social distancing, and anxiety in the time of COVID-19