KHSC to host webinar on caring for children with respiratory illness symptoms

Parents, guardians, caregivers and any other individuals in the area are invited to a webinar aimed at providing them with information about how to care for children with symptoms of respiratory illness.

The free webinar, designed to support the community as the prevalence of respiratory viruses is expected to climb over the coming weeks and months, is provided by Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), and will feature pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Kirk Leifso, and medical director of the Children’s Outpatient Clinic Dr. Amy Acker.

The webinar titled, ‘When kids get sick; a parent’s guide to virus season,’ will take place from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

“Now that kids are back in school and everyone is spending more time indoors, we know that there will be a rise in childhood illness, like last year and the years prior to the pandemic,” De. Leifso said. “Our goal is to provide parents with information about some of these viruses, so they can help reduce the likelihood of their child getting sick or severely sick and to recognize when they may need to seek help.”

“Once parents know how to recognize these illnesses, we will then provide tips on how to treat milder symptoms at home,” added Dr. Acker. “Many of these symptoms can be safely managed at home, but it is important for parents to know when children need additional help from a health care provider such as a pediatrician, family doctor, or nurse practitioner.”

To register for the webinar visit www.kingstonhsc.ca/peds.