Why Your Kid’s Humidifier Is Still Making Them Sick

Your child has been coughing for two weeks.

Not all day – mostly at night. And in the morning. They wake up wheezing. Their chest sounds tight. They say it’s hard to breathe.

You’ve tried everything: cough medicine, honey, propping up their pillow. Nothing helps.

Then someone asks: “Do you run a humidifier in their room?”

Yes. Of course you do. The air is so dry. You’re trying to help.

“When’s the last time you cleaned it?”

…Oh.

🫁 How Dirty Humidifiers Affect Kids’ Lungs

Children’s respiratory systems are more vulnerable than adults’:

• Smaller airways = easier to inflame and obstruct
• Still-developing immune systems = less able to fight respiratory infections
• Breathe faster = inhale more contaminated air per breath
• Sleep in small rooms = higher concentration of airborne contaminants

When a humidifier sprays bacteria, mold spores, and mineral dust into the air, kids’ lungs take the biggest hit.

What We Seeing at Night Watch

Child comes in with:

• Persistent nighttime cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sometimes fever

We test for flu, RSV, COVID – all negative. No strep. Lungs sound clear-ish. Oxygen levels normal.

Then we ask: “Do you run a humidifier?”

Almost always: Yes.

“When did you last clean it?”

Usually: Silence. Or “Um… a few weeks ago?”

Symptoms of Humidifier-Related Illness

Come to Night Watch if your child has:

• Nighttime cough that’s been going on for days/weeks
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Complaints of chest tightness
• Symptoms worse at night, better during school
• Fever with respiratory symptoms
• Asthma suddenly harder to control
• Recurring respiratory infections

🫧 “But I Rinse It Every Week!”

Here’s the problem: rinsing isn’t cleaning.

What you need to do:

Daily

• Empty ALL water from tank and base
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water
• Dry with clean towel (don’t just refill wet tank)

Every 3 Days

• Fill tank with white vinegar
• Let sit 20-30 minutes
• Scrub with brush to remove mineral deposits
• Rinse thoroughly

Weekly

• Disinfect with 3% hydrogen peroxide OR diluted bleach (1 tsp per gallon water)
• Let sit 10-30 minutes
• Rinse VERY thoroughly (no chemical residue)

Always

• Use distilled or demineralized water ONLY
• Replace filters per manufacturer instructions

🔬 The Science: What’s Growing

Research shows dirty humidifiers harbor:

• Legionella bacteria (causes Legionnaires’ disease)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (respiratory infections)
• Mold spores (asthma triggers, allergic reactions)
• Endotoxins (inflammatory compounds)
• Mineral particles (lung irritation)

All of this gets turned into a fine mist and sprayed directly into your child’s face while they sleep.

What We Do at Night Watch

• Evaluate respiratory symptoms
• Rule out infections (flu, RSV, COVID, pneumonia)
• Provide breathing treatments if needed
• Assess for environmental triggers
• Give parents concrete steps to eliminate exposure

The Experiment

Try this:

• Deep clean your humidifier (or throw it out and buy a new one)
• OR stop using it entirely for one week
• See if symptoms improve

If your child’s cough gets better when the humidifier is off? That’s your answer.

Sometimes the solution is simpler than you think.

When Holiday Pet Excitement Leads to Urgent Care

You got your kids the puppy they’ve been begging for. Christmas wish granted!

Day 1: Pure joy. Day 2: Lots of energy. Day 3: “Mom, the puppy bit me!”

You look at your child’s hand. There are teeth marks. It broke the skin. It’s starting to swell.

Wait… do puppies bite this much? Is this normal? Should you be worried?

Why Kids Get Bitten More

Here’s what most parents don’t realize: children are more likely to get bitten or scratched by pets than adults.

Why?

• They move unpredictably (running, jumping, shrieking with excitement)
• They’re at face level with small dogs and puppies
• They don’t read warning signs (ears back, growling, stiff body)
• They want to hug and squeeze (which animals often don’t like)
• They put their hands where puppies bite during play

And puppies? They explore everything with their mouths. Including your child.

When to Bring Your Child to Night Watch

Come in right away if:

• The bite or scratch broke the skin
• It’s on their face, hands, or near joints
• It’s a puncture wound (deep, narrow)
• Bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus)
• You’re not sure if the pet is fully vaccinated

🐱 Cat Scratches: Tiny But Trouble

Got a kitten instead? Those needle-sharp claws can cause Cat Scratch Disease.

What is it? Bacterial infection from bacteria in cat saliva that gets on their claws. Can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue in children.

Symptoms appear 3-14 days after the scratch:

• Red bump or blister at scratch site
• Swollen lymph nodes (especially under arms or neck)
• Fever
• Your child feeling tired or unwell

Cat scratches need treatment. Don’t ignore them.

Teaching Kids to Be Safe with New Pets

Prevention is key. Teach your children:

• “Gentle hands” No pulling, grabbing, or squeezing
• “No face kisses” Keep faces away from puppy mouths
• “Let sleeping pets lie” Don’t wake or startle them
• “No hands in mouth” Use toys for play, not fingers
• “Back away if scared” If the pet seems upset, give space
• “Tell a grown-up” Always report bites/scratches immediately

How We Help at Night Watch

At Night Watch, we treat animal bites and scratches in children regularly:

• Gentle, thorough wound cleaning
• Child-friendly evaluation (checking for nerve/tendon damage)
• Stitches if needed (with numbing medicine first)
• Antibiotics to prevent infection
• Parent education on wound care and pet safety

🏡 What to Do at Home Immediately

If your child gets bitten or scratched:

• Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water (5+ minutes)
• Apply pressure if bleeding
• Don’t panic (it scares your child more)
• Bring them to Night Watch for proper evaluation

🐾 New pets + excited kids = occasional injuries. We’re here when it happens.

When Teen Exhaustion Goes Beyond Normal

You’ve heard “I’m tired” so many times you’ve lost count.

Morning, afternoon, evening – doesn’t matter. Your teen is exhausted.

At first, you figured it was January. Back to school after winter break is always rough. But it’s been weeks now, and if anything, they’re getting worse.

You’re starting to worry. Should you be worried?

🤔 Trust Your Gut

As a parent, you know your kid. You know their energy levels, their mood, their “normal.”

And right now? This doesn’t feel normal.

Here’s the thing: you’re probably right.

When exhaustion is severe enough that you’re Googling it, questioning it, losing sleep over it – that’s your parental instinct telling you something’s off.

🚨 Signs This Isn’t “Just Teen Tiredness”

• They’re sleeping 10-12+ hours and still exhausted
• Can’t wake up for school even with multiple alarms
• Falling asleep in class, during homework, while watching TV
• Stopped doing activities they used to love
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Grades suddenly dropping
• Other symptoms (sore throat, pale skin, weight changes, mood shifts)

If you’re seeing several of these? Time to get them checked.

🩺 What Parents Should Know

Extreme exhaustion in teens is often a symptom of something treatable:

😷 Mononucleosis (“Mono”)

Most common in teens.

Causes: Extreme fatigue (lasting weeks), sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever. Spread through saliva – shared drinks, kissing, even sharing food.

🩸 Anemia (Low Iron)

Especially common in teenage girls.

Causes: Constant tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, cold hands/feet. Often related to menstruation or diet.

Thyroid Issues

More common in teen girls than you’d think.

Causes: Overwhelming fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, dry skin, “brain fog,” difficulty concentrating.

💤 Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome.

Causes: Sleeping for hours but waking up exhausted, snoring, gasping during sleep, never feeling rested.

😔 Depression or Anxiety

Mental health = physical symptoms.

Causes: Crushing fatigue, loss of interest in everything, withdrawal, changes in appetite, overwhelming sadness or worry.

🍔 Nutritional Deficiencies

Vitamin D, B12, and other deficiencies.

Causes: Fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating. Common in teens who skip meals or follow restrictive diets.

💙 How We Help at Night Watch

At Night Watch, we specialize in pediatric and adolescent care. We understand that teens aren’t just “small adults” – their bodies and brains work differently.

We can:

• Run comprehensive blood work (mono, anemia, thyroid, vitamins)
• Conduct thorough physical exams
• Screen for mental health concerns
• Provide treatment or specialist referrals
• Answer all your worried-parent questions

Most importantly: we take your concerns seriously.

📅 When Should You Come In?

Don’t wait until it’s “bad enough.” Come in if:

• Exhaustion has lasted more than 2 weeks
• It’s affecting their school performance or social life
• They have other symptoms
• They’ve stopped doing things they used to enjoy
• Your gut tells you something’s wrong

You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off, trust that instinct.

Your worry isn’t an overreaction. It’s good parenting. Let’s figure out what’s going on together.

Food Poisoning in Kids: Why They Get Sicker, Faster

It’s January. You’re cleaning out the fridge. Your kid wanders in, opens a container of leftover turkey, and before you can say “Wait, how old is that?”—they’ve already eaten half of it.

Two hours later: vomiting. Four hours later: diarrhea. Six hours later: you’re Googling “is this food poisoning?”

Yes. Yes it is.

Why Kids Get Hit Harder

Children are more vulnerable to food poisoning than adults because:

• Their immune systems are still developing
• They have less stomach acid to kill bacteria
• They dehydrate faster due to smaller body size
• They can’t always tell you how bad they feel

What might be “rough but manageable” for an adult can become a medical emergency for a child within hours.

Signs Your Child Needs Urgent Care NOW

Don’t wait it out. Bring them in if you see:

• 🤢 Vomiting for more than 12 hours
• 💧 Can’t keep any liquids down
• 💩 Diarrhea with blood or mucus
• 🥵 Fever over 100.4°F (infants) or 102°F (older kids)
• 😴 Extreme lethargy or won’t wake up properly
• 😭 Crying without tears
• 👄 Dry mouth, cracked lips, sunken eyes
• 🚽 No wet diapers in 6+ hours (babies) or no urination in 8+ hours (older kids)
• 😖 Severe stomach pain that makes them double over

Dehydration: The Real Danger

Most kids recover from food poisoning just fine—if they stay hydrated.

But when they’re vomiting and having diarrhea, they lose fluids fast. And small children don’t have much to spare.

Signs of dehydration in kids:

• Decreased energy or activity level
• No tears when crying
• Sunken soft spot on baby’s head
• Dry, sticky mouth
• Dark yellow or very little urine

If you see these signs, don’t try to “wait and see.” Come to Night Watch.

What We Do

We specialize in pediatric care, and we see food poisoning cases regularly. Here’s how we help:

• IV fluids to rehydrate quickly and safely
• Anti-nausea medication so they can keep liquids down
• Stool testing if we suspect bacterial infection
• Antibiotics (when appropriate—not all food poisoning needs them)
• Parent guidance on recovery and when to follow up

Common Culprits in Kids

• Leftover poultry (turkey, chicken): Salmonella
• Deli meats or hot dogs: Listeria
• Egg dishes (quiche, casseroles): Salmonella
• Dairy products left out: Staph bacteria
• Undercooked ground beef: E. coli

How Long Until They’re Better? ⏰

Most food poisoning resolves in 24-48 hours with proper hydration and rest.

But: Some bacterial infections can last longer and kids can take longer to bounce back than adults.

Concussions in Young Athletes: What Parents Need to Know

It’s the moment every sports parent dreads: watching your child take a hard hit to the head.

They get up. They shake it off. The coach asks if they’re okay. They nod and keep playing.

But that night, or the next day, or even three days later – something’s off.

🏃 Youth Sports & Concussion Risk

The reality: Concussions are one of the most common sports injuries in children and teens—especially in contact sports like:

• ⚽ Soccer (from headers and collisions)
• 🏈 Football
• 🏀 Basketball
• 🏒 Hockey
• 📣 Cheerleading
• 🤸 Gymnastics

But here’s what most parents don’t know: you don’t need to see your child lose consciousness for it to be a concussion.

⚠️ Symptoms Parents Miss

Many kids won’t report symptoms because they don’t want to be pulled from the game. Watch for:

PHYSICAL SIGNS:

• Headache or head pressure
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise

COGNITIVE/BEHAVIORAL SIGNS:

• Feeling “foggy” or confused
• Memory problems
• More emotional than usual
• Changes in sleep patterns

When Symptoms Show Up Later

Here’s the tricky part: concussion symptoms can be delayed. Your child might seem perfectly fine right after the hit, but symptoms can appear:

• Hours later that same day
• The next morning
• Even 2-3 days after the injury

This is why monitoring is critical.

🚫 NO Return-to-Play Until Cleared

This is non-negotiable: If your child has a suspected concussion, they cannot return to sports until medically cleared by a healthcare provider.

Why? A second concussion before the first heals can cause Second Impact Syndrome—a rare but potentially fatal condition.

What We Do at Night Watch

At Night Watch, we specialize in pediatric care, including sports-related concussions:

• Comprehensive concussion evaluations
• Return-to-play protocols & clearances
• Gradual return-to-learn plans for school
• Parent education & monitoring guidance

Asthma Attack Warning Signs & When to Get Help NOW

Your chest feels tight. Breathing is getting harder. You reach for your inhaler—but it’s not helping like it usually does.

Is this just asthma, or is this an emergency?

Here’s how to know—and what to do about it.

⚠️ Early Warning Signs: Your Asthma Is Getting Worse

Asthma attacks don’t always come out of nowhere. Your body usually gives you warning signals:

• 😤 Increased breathlessness during normal activities
• 💨 Wheezing or whistling sounds when you breathe
• 😮‍💨 Coughing more than usual (especially at night)
• 💪 Chest tightness or pain
• 💊 Needing your rescue inhaler more often
• 😴 Waking up at night because you can’t breathe

👉 If you’re noticing these signs, don’t wait for it to get worse. Walk into Night Watch in Winchester for evaluation and treatment adjustment.

🚨 Asthma Attack: Get Help IMMEDIATELY

Some symptoms mean you need urgent medical care right now:

🚨 SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK 🚨 Come to Night Watch Winchester NOW or Call 911 Extreme difficulty breathing — can’t speak in full sentences Lips or fingernails turning blue/gray Using stomach muscles to breathe (chest is pulling in) Rescue inhaler isn’t working Peak flow in red zone (if you use a meter) Feeling confused or very drowsy Symptoms getting worse fast

🏥 Night Watch vs. Emergency Room: Which One?

Not sure where to go? Here’s how to decide:

🚑 Go to the ER If:

• Lips/fingernails are blue or gray
• You can’t speak more than a few words at a time
• You’re becoming confused or losing consciousness
• Your rescue inhaler has no effect at all

✅ Come to Night Watch Winchester If:

• You’re having trouble breathing but can still talk
• Your inhaler helps a little but not enough
• Your asthma is getting worse over hours/days
• You’re wheezing and coughing more than usual
• You need evaluation and stronger treatment

💊 What We Can Do at Night Watch

We treat asthma attacks every day. Here’s how we help:

• 🫁 Breathing treatments (nebulizers) — Fast-acting medication to open airways
• 💉 Steroid medications — Reduce inflammation quickly
• 🩺 Oxygen monitoring — Check your blood oxygen levels
• 📋 Updated asthma action plan — So you know what to do next time
• 💊 Prescriptions — Sent to your pharmacy before you leave

⏰ Don’t Wait Until You Can’t Breathe

Asthma attacks that go untreated can become life-threatening. The earlier you get help, the faster you’ll feel better—and the less likely you’ll end up in the hospital.

If you’re using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, your asthma isn’t well-controlled. Come see us.

📋 Quick Action Plan MILD symptoms (wheezing, coughing): → Use rescue inhaler, rest, monitor closely MODERATE symptoms (trouble breathing, inhaler not helping much): → Come to Night Watch Winchester NOW for treatment SEVERE symptoms (can’t talk, blue lips, extreme distress): → Call 911 or get to ER immediately

We’re Open When Asthma Strikes

Asthma doesn’t care if it’s 9 PM or Saturday morning. That’s why we’re here.

😤 When you can’t catch your breath, don’t wait.

Walk into Night Watch Urgent Care – Winchester. We’ll help you breathe easier.

When That’s the Wrong Call

It’s 8:30 PM. Your toddler’s fever just hit 103.5°. They’re clingy, fussy, and won’t drink anything. You text your mom: “Should I take them in?”

She replies: “See how they are in the morning.”

But here’s what nobody tells you: sometimes “morning” is too late.

🚨 When Kids Can’t Wait Until Morning

Children aren’t just small adults—their bodies work differently. What seems manageable at bedtime can escalate quickly overnight.

Don’t Wait If Your Child Has:

• 🌡️ Fever over 104°F or any fever in a baby under 3 months
• 😤 Trouble breathing – wheezing, gasping, retractions (chest pulling in)
• 💧 Signs of dehydration – dry mouth, no tears, no wet diapers for 6+ hours
• 🤕 Head injury with vomiting or confusion
• 🦴 Suspected broken bone or injury needing stitches
• 🔥 Worsening rash with fever (could be serious infection)
• 😖 Severe pain that makes them scream or unable to move
• 😶 Extreme lethargy – won’t wake up fully or respond normally

⏰ The Overnight Risk

Here’s why waiting can be dangerous:

Kids deteriorate faster than adults. A fever that seems okay at 9 PM can spike dangerously by 2 AM. Dehydration from vomiting can become severe in hours. An ear infection can rupture overnight.

Real examples we see:

• Strep throat — The sooner antibiotics start, the better (and they’re contagious until treated)
• Ear infections — Can perforate if left overnight, causing worse complications
• Dehydration — Can quickly become dangerous in small children
• Breathing issues — Croup or respiratory infections can worsen at night
• Cuts needing stitches — Best results within hours, not days

“But What If I’m Overreacting?”

Every parent worries about this. You don’t want to be “that parent” who rushes in for nothing.

Here’s the truth: We’ve never once thought a parent overreacted by bringing their child in. Not once.

You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off – if they’re “not acting right” or your gut says to come in – trust that instinct.

🏥 When to Come to Night Watch vs. the ER

🚑 ER: Life-Threatening Only

• Severe difficulty breathing or turning blue
• Unresponsive or won’t wake up
• Seizure (first time or lasting more than 5 minutes)
• Severe injury or uncontrolled bleeding

✅ Night Watch: Everything Else

• High fevers needing evaluation
• Suspected ear or throat infections
• Vomiting or diarrhea with dehydration concerns
• Rashes, allergic reactions (not severe)
• Minor injuries, possible fractures, cuts needing stitches
• Anything you’re worried about but isn’t life-threatening

We’re the Parents’ Safety Net

That’s literally why Night Watch exists. Kids don’t get sick on a convenient schedule. We’re open evenings and weekends so you don’t have to choose between “wait and worry” or “sit in the ER for hours.”

What you get:

• Walk in anytime – no appointment needed
• Pediatric-focused care
• On-site testing and X-rays
• Treatment and prescriptions tonight
• Providers who listen to parent concerns seriously

👂 If your gut says something’s wrong at 9 PM, don’t wait until 9 AM.

Walk into Night Watch Pediatric Urgent Care – Winchester. We’re here now.

When Your Kid’s Holiday Meltdowns Are Actually Stress

It’s the fourth party invitation this week. Your usually easygoing kid is suddenly having a full meltdown about getting dressed. “My tummy hurts,” they wail. “I don’t want to see Grandma!”

You check for fever. Nothing. You offer their favorite snack. They refuse. You wonder if they’re being dramatic or if something’s actually wrong.

Here’s what’s probably happening: they’re maxed out. And their little body is waving a white flag the only way it knows how.

😟 Kids + Holiday Overwhelm = Physical Symptoms

Children don’t say “Mom, I’m experiencing sensory overload from excessive social commitments.” Instead, their bodies do the talking:

🚨 Your Kid’s Stress Is Showing

• 🤢 Stomachaches before events (“I don’t feel good” = “I need a break”)
• 😴 Sleep chaos – can’t fall asleep, nightmares, bedwetting that was gone
• 😭 Nuclear-level meltdowns over things that normally wouldn’t matter
• 🍽️ Food strikes or suddenly eating everything in sight
• 😡 Acting like a tiny tornado of defiance and attitude
• 🧸 Baby behaviors you thought were over – thumb-sucking, baby talk, accidents
• 😶 Going quiet and withdrawn

💡 Translation: “I need the holidays to slow down, but I don’t have the words to say it.”

⏰ When to Stop Googling and Just Come In

Most kid stress is garden-variety holiday overwhelm. But sometimes symptoms need eyes on them:

• 🤢 Stomach pain that lasts days or gets worse
• 🤕 Headaches that keep them from playing
• 😰 Chest pain or breathing weirdness (yes, even if you’re sure it’s anxiety)
• 🚫 Refusing all food and drink
• 😢 Extreme distress that nothing helps

🎯 When in doubt? Come in. We’d rather check them and send you home reassured than have you worry all weekend.

🎄 How to Dial Down the Holiday Crazy

Real-World Stress Relief for Kids

• 🕐 Guard bedtime like Fort Knox – Routines = safety when everything else is chaos
• 🏠 Build in boring time – Unstructured play. Staring at the ceiling. Whatever.
• 🗣️ Name it to tame it – “It sounds like the holidays feel like a lot right now”
• 📵 Kill the screens early – Overstimulation + stress = disaster
• ✂️ Skip an event – Your child does NOT need to see Santa at four different locations
• 🧘 Breathe yourself – Stressed parent = stressed kid. It’s science.

🏥 Walk In When You Need Backup

If your kid’s symptoms have you second-guessing everything, just bring them in. We see stressed-out kids all December long. We get it. We’ll help you figure out what’s going on.

We offer:

• Same-day, no-appointment visits
• Actually kid-friendly care
• Help figuring out stress vs. sick
• Evening & weekend hours (because meltdowns don’t wait)

🎁 The holidays should be fun—not a marathon your kid has to survive.

Walk into Night Watch Pediatric Urgent Care – Winchester. We’ve got you.

It’s 6 AM. Your child is standing by your bed, tears streaming, pointing at their throat. They can barely speak. Your mind races: Is it just a cold? Do we wait for the pediatrician? What if it’s strep?

Here’s what every parent needs to know: strep throat is common, contagious, and completely treatable—but only if you catch it in time. At Night Watch Pediatric Urgent Care in Winchester, we make strep testing fast, accurate, and kid-friendly.

🔍 How to Tell If It’s Actually Strep

Not every sore throat needs a doctor visit. But strep is different—and the symptoms are usually pretty obvious once you know what to look for.

🚨 Strep Throat Symptoms in Kids

• ⚡ Sudden, severe throat pain (they’ll tell you it REALLY hurts)
• 🌡️ High fever (usually 101°F or higher)
• 👅 Red, swollen tonsils with white patches
• 🚫 Refusing to eat or drink because swallowing hurts
• 💢 Swollen neck glands
• 🤕 Stomach pain, headache, or body aches
• ❌ NO cough or stuffy nose (those point to a virus)

💡 Pro tip: If your child has a cough, runny nose, or hoarseness, it’s probably NOT strep. But if the throat pain is the main event? Get tested.

⏰ Why Strep Can’t Wait

We get it—kids get sick all the time, and not everything needs immediate attention. But strep is one of those things you don’t mess around with.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat It?

• 💔 Rheumatic fever → Can cause permanent heart damage
• 🎀 Scarlet fever → Red sandpaper-like rash
• 🫘 Kidney problems → Inflammation that can be serious
• 🦠 Spreading it everywhere → Siblings, classmates, the whole family

✨ The silver lining? Once your child starts antibiotics, they’re no longer contagious after 24 hours—and they’ll feel so much better within a day or two.

⚡ Know in Minutes. Treated Today. Better Tomorrow.

Our rapid strep test is quick, painless, and accurate. We do a fast throat swab (your child barely has time to complain), and you’ll have results in about 10 minutes.

Here’s How the Visit Goes

• 🚶 Walk in—no appointment, no hassle
• 🩺 Quick throat swab (takes 5 seconds, promise)
• ⏰ Wait minutes for results
• 💊 If positive: prescription sent to your pharmacy immediately
• 🏫 Back to school in 24 hours (once they’re fever-free and on meds)

📅 No More Waiting Until Monday

Strep loves to hit on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Lucky for you, we’re open evenings and weekends—so you don’t have to watch your child suffer through the weekend while you wait for the pediatrician’s office to open.

⏰ Strep throat moves fast. So should you.

Walk into Night Watch Pediatric Urgent Care – Winchester.

Holiday parties should be magical for kids. But if your child has food allergies? They can be nerve-wracking.

Holiday Foods = Hidden Dangers

Allergens are everywhere: Peanuts in cookies. Tree nuts in pies. Eggs in everything baked. Milk in hot chocolate. Shellfish in appetizers.

Even foods that look safe might have been prepared on surfaces that touched allergens. Cross-contamination happens fast.

Is This Serious?

MILD (keep watching):

→ Itchy mouth, a few hives, upset stomach

SEVERE (EMERGENCY):

→ Trouble breathing or wheezing

→ Swelling of face, lips, or tongue

→ Repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, dizziness

What to Do

EpiPen? Use it immediately. Inject into outer thigh, then call 911. Even if they improve, they need hospital care.

No EpiPen + severe symptoms? Call 911 right away.

Mild but worried? Bring them to Night Watch for evaluation.

Keep Your Kid Safe

✓ Always bring EpiPen and Benadryl

✓ Talk to the host about ingredients

✓ Pack safe treats

✓ Teach them to ask before eating

The holidays are for making memories — not ER trips. Night Watch has your back.