Encephalitis Update

July to September are prime months for encephalitis. Here, we review the symptoms and cause of the virus.

Infant Sleep Patterns

New parents, take some time to establish sleep patterns and get some rest.

Sunscreen Safety

It's time to protect your kids from the harsh rays of the sun! Here are some sunscreen safety tips.

No More Motion Sickness

It's that queasy feeling that leads to nausea, and dizziness. Find out how to battle the back seat problem of motion sickness and help your kids during that next long car ride.

Roller Shoe Safety

You'll recognize the shoe brand names of Heely's and Street Glider, but do you know if these stylish skaters are safe for your kids?

Rabies 411

Get ready for summer camp with some extra facts about rabies.

Guide To A Preemie Delivery

Sometimes, despite your best expectations and careful planning, mother's don't have storybook deliveries. Here is some advice on what to expect if your baby comes too early.

Baby's First Visit To The Doctor

The first visit you make to the pediatrician with your newborn, can be stressful. Here is some insight to help you know what to expect.

My Baby's Doctor

If you have a baby on the way, we have advice as you choose a pediatrician.

Get Stretching

Spring sports are in full gear. Keep your kids safe from muscle strains by using proper stretching techniques.

Walking Shoes

We'll put you on the right path for the shoes your toddler needs.

To Spank, Or Not To Spank

A major decision for parents is whether to discipline by corporal punishment. Our insight can help make up your mind.

Spring Allergies

Sniffling, sneezing and itchy watery eyes. Fight the symptoms with OTC medicines.

Immunize for School

It's time to get your 5 year olds ready for school, so make sure they have the proper papers to enroll.

Language Development

Toddlers talk when they want to, but you can help jump start the new words.

Hypertension in Children

High BP in common in adults, but it can also show up in children, and as indicators of other health trouble.

Keep Sick Kids Home

Taking sick days from school, and work. What to expect.

Fighting the Flu 2

The nasty flu bug is hard on children, learn to fight the symptoms and prepare for complications.

Fighting the Flu

Protect your precious kids with a flu shot and learn about the virus' world trip.

HPV VACCINATION FOR GIRLS
Parents can fight cancer in their daughters. Guardasil helps protect against the human papillomavirus.

KNOW YOUR PHONE
Parents, learn how to keep up with your cell phone savvy teens.

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Focus on your child's pearly whites.

TOSS THAT OLD MEDICINE
Many viruses are making the rounds, so make sure the medicine you give your kids is up to date.

CHOKING HAZARDS
Removing tiny toys from baby's reach may not be enough. Find out how to help a choking child.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR KIDS
From preschoolers to teens, think about setting goals for the new year.

BUNDLE UP FOR BABY'S SAKE
It's time to get your baby ready for winter's chill. Fight the cold, dry weather with these time honored tips.

EXERCISING TODDLERS
Toddlers are active by nature, but do they need structured exercise programs?

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR AFTER HOURS
When the doctor's office is closed, what illnesses do you call after hours for?

FOOD ALLERGIES
Keep an eye on your kids as you head to the holiday buffet table.

STAYING HEALTHY
It's cold and flu season. Tips to keep baby germ free.

PREEMIE CARE
Families with premature babies face many obstacles in childhood. But their chances of survival are greater than ever.

NO MORE 'NO'
How to guide your toddler to independence in a gentle, yet effective way.

SECURITY ITEM ISSUES
Thinks like pacifiers and blankets help children cope, but how do you give them up?

THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR A FLU SHOT FOR YOUR BABY
It's time to roll up your sleeve... or get your baby's little leg ready for their flu shot. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control says flu season can begin as early as October and as late as May.

MEDICINE
Cough and cold medicine, not safe for children FDA says.

VISION CHECKS FOR CHILDREN
A trip to the doctor for a well child check-up, will include an eye exam. Proceedures vary by age, but they are necessary to make sure your baby's, baby blues, stay focused.

LEAD ESPOSURE
Parents continue to ask doctors to perform lead testing.

TUMMY TIME FOR BABY
Play time is work for growing babies. Try Tummy time for an engaging round of exercise and learning, with your baby.

CHICKEN POX VACCINE
Chickenpox usually isn't a serious condition in healthy children, but there is cause for concern about the virus. That's why the vaccine against it is helpful. But how effective?

EAR INFECTION
Get ready for ear infections with tips on how to beat the hurt when you can't get to the doctor.

POTTY TRAINING
Tips to potty train your toddler.

FALL ALLERGY SEASON
The season of sniffle's is here. Learn how to tell the difference between a cold and a case of allergies.

NEED MILK?
What is your child drinking today? If it's milk at every meal and snack, you may want to rethink your choices.

WATCHING OUT FOR LICE
These creepy little critters can make life miserable for your family. Tips on dealing with lice.

WINNING THE LUNCH BOX BATTLES
There can be a happy, healthy, middle ground to a nutritious school lunch that your child will love.

BACK TO SCHOOL SCHEDULE
It's time to get your family ready for back to school time.

LEAD POISONING
Take a look at the effects of lead poisoning as a major toy recall is announced.

RABIES EXPOSURE
What to do if you suspect your child has been exposed to rabies.

COPING WITH SLEEP PROBLEMS
From bad dreams to failed bed-time routines, how to cope with the most common issues.

SLEEP HABITS
Whether you rock your baby to sleep, or let them cry it out in the crib, parents face sleep issues every night.

MAKING YOUR PLAYGROUND SAFE
Keep your childrens' play area safe this summer with these easy to follow safety tips.

INDOOR POOL SAFETY
If you're thinking of swimming at an indoor pool, there could be a danger lurking for the smallest swimmers.

PREVENTING MOTION SICKNESS
Keep your vacation car rides smooth, with these tips on avoiding motion sickness.

ROLLER SHOE DANGERS
Heely's and Street Gliders are names you might recognize-- they're the shoes with the wheels in the heels! But how safe are these new stylish skaters?

ADOPTION CONSIDERATIONS
Bringing home your newly adopted baby is exciting, but there are many health considerations.

WALKERS VERSUS EXERSAUCERS, THE SAFETY FACTOR
Moms juggle household duties and babies everyday. But when you need a break, are exersaucers or walkers really the best equipment to choose?

BATTLING OBESITY IN CHILDREN
Doctors are seeing more overweight children and concerned parents. That problem welcomes a host of medical issues, but is easily corrected.

STRETCHING FOR SUCCESS
Spring and summer sports are starting and so are the injury reports. Stay safe with stretching.

VACCINATION UPDATE
On the heels of National Immunization Week, it's important to remember why parents opt for the shots.

DEALING WITH CRISIS SITUATIONS WITH YOUR CHILDREN
Serious world events may have you taking a TV time-out for your kids' sake.

BOTTLE FEEDING VERSUS BREAST FEEDING
Tough mommy decisions. Choosing what's best... breast milk or formula?

OUR DEVELOPING BABIES
Do our babies understand what we're saying. Decode the mystery!

NEED VITAMINS?
Nutrition beyond the dinner plate. Does your child need a vitamin?

POISON PREVENTION IN YOUR HOME
If you think you have baby proofed your home, think again. We have tips to prevent accidental poisoning.

TAMING TEMPER TANTRUMS
Are temper tantrums a rite of passage for kids, or avoidable outbursts?

FAMILY PETS MEET THE NEW BABY
It's time for a formal introduction. How to set the stage for fluffy and fido to meet the new baby.

BINKY ANXIETY
Eventually using a binky has to stop. Dr. Joe Matusic helps make the transition easier.

SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION'S CAUSE WORRY
Recent food recalls due to salmonella contamination may worry parents, but not all cases are deadly.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Say MaMa! Your guide to decoding your baby's speech development.

TREATING YOUR LITTLE SWEETIE FOR VALENTINES DAY
It's time for Valentines and chocolate goodies, but are they really good for the tiny loves of your life?

A CHILD'S WORK
If you've got an inquisitive toddler on your hands you may want to start setting up play dates. But don't be surprised if the kids seem to ignore each other. Toddlers aren't antisocial, they're completely normal.

INSECT BITES
Summertime is play time and it's also prime season for insects. You've got to protect your kids from them and the reactions they may get from a bite or sting. Dr. Joe Matusic helps us with some easy first aid tips.

ANIMAL BITES
Every year millions of animals die from rabies. Only one person has ever survived the virus and every state except Hawaii, has reported cases. Dr. Joe Matusic has more on what to do if you suspect your child's been exposed.

HEALTHY SUMMERTIME MEALS
Summertime is one of the busiest times for moms. The kids are home around the clock, and it's hard to find time to dish-up meals yet alone get the children to sit down together to eat.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY
It's summer, the kids are out of school and at the playground. But how safe are they on that equipment?

BACKYARD POOLS
The weather is getting warm, and its time to head to the pool. We take a look at the popular inflatable backyard pools, and the dangers to children associated with them.

WALKERS
A big job for new moms is trying to juggle chores around the house, while keeping the baby occupied and safe. Many parents have used walkers over the years, but they're not usually recommended.

DOG BITES
The safety of your children around dogs is a priority this week. Dog Bite Prevention Week runs through Sunday, May 28, 2006. Teach your kids how to be safe around dogs.

TOO CLEAN?
When it comes to keeping germs away from your children, can you be too clean? Learn whether all your scrubbing and bleaching is really necessary or even healthy.

MUMPS
The mumps is making a comeback. We are experiencing its biggest outbreak in decades and it's been reported in West Virginia.

ALLERGIES
Spring is in the air and so is all of the pollen that comes with it. It's allergy season. We've got tips on how you can help your little one through the season of sneezin.

DIABETES
Diabetes is a common problem for adults in West Virginia. But it's a condition which can strike children too.

CHILDREN'S ATHLETICS
Getting your child involved in sports helps them develop in many ways. There are physical and personal skills to be learned by being active in sports.

ROTAVIRUS
There are plenty of cases of rotavirus going around to keep pediatricians busy. But a new vaccine on the market could help prevent some of those cases in the future.

BABY BUDGET
Being a parent is a challenging job, and so is taking on the financial responsibility that comes with it. Take a look at the price of bringing up baby and some suggestions to stretch your budget.

BACK TO SLEEP-SIDS
The campaign is called "Back to Sleep". It means put your baby to sleep on their back. The purpose is to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

MORE HEARING TESTS
Keeping your child healthy includes making sure they have their hearing checked. Learn how doctors make sure an older child's hearing problems don't go unnoticed.

HEARING TESTS
As adults we rely on our ability to hear to help process informatin. But when babies have a hearing problem, their learning can be disrupted.

HEALTHY EATING
Being a parent is a rewarding, but sometimes tough job. Tough, that is when you're trying to get your kids to eat right! America's favorite "Supernanny" has advice about raising your child to be a healthy eater.

BABIES AND DENTISTS
It's a good time to talk about taking your baby to the dentist. It's Children's Dental Health Month. Learn when you need to get your bouncing baby into the dentists chair for the first time.

RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV is a common virus. And many kids are diagnosed with it by the time they're two. This respiratory virus has potentially serious side effects.

DRY SKIN
Dry skin is a problem for kids of all ages this time of year. Learn about the problem and how to effectively treat it and avoid flare-ups.

JAUNDICE
One very important test newborns experience is for jaundice. Learn more about the newest early detection method for jaundice.

WARTS
A common virus which effects the skin has a surprisingly simple treatment. There's a way to get rid of your child's warts, easily.

STOMACH FLU
Whether it's your co-worker who's out, or your child's best friend in school. One thing's for sure, you can probably blame it on the stomach flu.

EAR INFECTIONS
Few things stress a parent more, than knowing your child is sick. One common illness is the ear infection. Dr. Joe Matusic helps us distinguish symptoms of an ear infection.

FOOD ALLERGIES
Parties with lots of food and kids with food allergies may not mix, unless everyone knows what to watch for. So before you let your kids cruise the holiday buffet table without you, learn the basics of food allergies.

STREP THROAT
Strep throat is one of those conditions doctor's have to treat to prevent complications. It's what an untreated case can lead to, that strikes a chord with parents.

DPT, TETANUS SHOT
The replacement tetanus shot is here. The shot adults and adolescents get will also help protect babies from a serious virus.

CROUP
Croup is a common childhood illness. Doctors are seeing plenty of cases of it right now. Dr. Joe Matusic helps answer your questions about what croup is, and how to treat it.

BIRD FLU
Parents are as concerned for their own health, as they are about their children's. But it is not too early to start taking precautions against this deadly strain.

NEW SIBLINGS
There's a lot to prepare before you bring a baby home from the hospital. That includes getting your children at home ready for the lifestyle change.

IS IT A COLD OR FLU?
Fighting the flu, and how to tell the difference between a cold and the flu.

COLD AND FLU SEASON
The cold and flu season is here. Jenifer McAndrews and Dr. Joe Matusic look into some ways to protect your baby from those germs.

BIRTHMARKS
They come in different shapes and sizes and just about everyone has one. It's a birthmark. Find out which ones are serious and which ones aren't.

VACCINATION MYTHS
Some parents aren't convinced vaccinations are necessary. Dr. Joe Matusic helps dispel a couple of the most common vaccination myths.

VISION SCREENING
You love gazing into your baby's eyes. And you also want to make sure they can see you perfectly. That's why vision checks for children of all ages are important.

ACTIVE OR A.D.D.?
Children are settling down into their school routines and are ready to learn. But learning doesn't come easy for chilren with attention deficit disorder. Learn to see the early signs.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Being On Time
School is in session and hopefully your kids are making it to class on time! Learn how to get out of the door without spurring a family argument and enjoy the beginning of a new school year.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Seperation Anxiety
The first day of school can make a lot of children a little uneasy. That's to be expected. But when uneasyness turns to anxiety there's a problem.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Vaccines
Kids getting ready for their first day of school need more than a new backpack and some pencils. They need vaccinations.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Choosing Daycare
What you need to know about the daycare center you choose and what illness may be lurking there.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Choosing the Right Backpack
Find the right backpack, that won't put a strain on your kids' health.

GROWING PAINS
Growing up is hard to do. But for some kids, the experience can be painful. Jenifer McAndrews and Doctor Joe Matusic talk about growing pains.

SUMMER BEDTIME ROUTINES
It's never too late to start exercising. And summer's a good time to start. Family support can jump start your regimine.

SUMMERTIME EXERCISE ROUTINES FOR THE FAMILY
It's never too late to start exercising. And summer's a good time to start. Family support can jump start your regimine.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESS
We've already had one heat wave in the Kanawha Valley-- and summer's not even close to being over. It's critical to protect your kids against heat related illnesses.

SWIMMERS EAR
The pain is severe, but the prevention is easy. We're talking about swimmers ear. Dive in for a look at the problem and how to treat it.

INSECTS AND ENCEPHALITIS
It's the time of year when we start to worry about children becoming infected with encephalitis. You have to ward off the mosquitoes before they bite.

POISON IVY
If you've ever had poison ivy you know that nagging, itching feeling. It's certainly something you don't want your kids to get.

CUTS AND SCRAPES TREATMENT
The kids are out of school and outside playing. That could mean your little adventurer may be coming home with some injuries. Learn the best way to treat life's bumps.

WATER SAFETY
The temperatures are up and it's time to cool down by the pool. This time on Baby Steps, Jenifer McAndrews talks water safety with Dr. Joe Matusic.

| Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules | Programs |

---

Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2008, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.