What Does the Brain Do? The brain controls what we think and feel, how we learn and remember, and the way we move and talk. But it also controls things we’re less aware of — like the beating of our hearts and the digestion of our food. Think of the brain as a central computer …
What Are Bones and What Do They Do? Bones provide support for our bodies and help form our shape. Although they’re very light, bones are strong enough to support our entire weight. Bones also protect the body’s organs. The skull protects the brain and forms the shape of the face. The spinal cord, a pathway for messages …
Blood transfusions are a lifesaving treatment for many Americans. Blood transfusions are needed for many reasons, including surgery, after accidents, and for patients with chronic illnesses and cancer. Blood cannot be artificially made, so doctors rely on volunteer donations. To keep the blood supply safe, every donation is tested for blood type and checked for infectious diseases. What …
Humans can’t live without blood. Without blood, the body’s organs couldn’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive, we couldn’t keep warm or cool off, fight infections, or get rid of our own waste products. Without enough blood, we’d weaken and die. Here are the basics about the life-sustaining fluid called blood. What …
Remember the biology class you had in high school? Well, even if you do, lots of new knowledge about how the body works helps us to understand it now better than ever. Body Basics is a collection of articles for parents that explain just how each body system, part, and process is necessary for living. …
What Is Rotavirus? Rotavirus is a common virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It usually affects infants and young children. Childcare centers are a common site of outbreaks. Rotavirus Immunization Schedule The vaccine is a liquid given by mouth. Children get it at ages 2 and 4 months, and again at 6 months, depending on the brand of vaccine …
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What Is Polio? Polio is an infection caused by a virus that can lead to permanent paralysis. IPV Immunization Schedule Children usually get the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, and 4–6 years. Sometimes IPV is given in a combination vaccine along with other vaccines. In this case, a child might receive …
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) protect against pneumococcal infections. The bacteria that cause these infections spread through person-to-person contact. They can lead to serious infections like pneumonia, blood infections, and bacterial meningitis. PCV13 protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria, which cause the most common pneumococcal (new-muh-KOK-uhl) infections in kids. PPSV23 protects against …
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The meningococcal vaccines protect against meningococcal disease, which can lead to bacterial meningitis and other serious infections. Two kinds of meningococcal (meh-nin-guh-KOK-uhl) vaccines are currently given to kids in the United States: The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria (types A, C, W, and Y). It is recommended for all kids and teens age …
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The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). MMR Immunization Schedule Children get the MMR vaccine by injection in 2 doses: at age 12–15 months at age 4–6 years Children traveling outside the United States can get the vaccine as early as 6 months of age. They still should get the routine doses at 12–15 …
Your Child’s Immunizations: Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine (MMR) Read More »
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