Carey Smith, RRT, registered respiratory therapist and
lead asthma educator for THE PLAYERS Center for
Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Asthma is the number-one reason children miss
school and the third leading cause of pediatric
hospitalizations. It is important to know if your child has asthma.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways characterized by
inflammation, tightness in the chest and increased mucus production.
Scientists do not know what causes asthma, but it is likely due to a
combination of genetics and environmental factors. Asthma cannot be
cured, but it can be controlled.
Common warning signs and symptoms of asthma include:
• Coughing at night • Tummy aches
• Wheezing • Sneezing
• Shortness of breath
A child can go for weeks, months or even years with no warning signs
and then have an episode. Even when a child is not having symptoms, he
or she still has asthma. It is important to know your child’s warning signs.
Every child is different, so their signs and symptoms may be different as
well. Always have an updated asthma action plan. These action plans
should be discussed with your child’s doctor and an updated plan should
be provided to your child’s school.
Find your flu vaccine:
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses.
It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The
best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall. Find your flu
vaccine at your doctor’s office or these locations:
Flagler County Health Dept.-DOH Flagler County: 301 Dr. Carter
Blvd Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110 • 386-437-7350
Publix Pharmacy: 250 Palm Coast Pkwy Ne Bldg 1000, Palm Coast, FL
4950 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137
800 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32164
414 Beach Village Dr., Flagler Beach, FL 32136
Walgreens: 215 Palm Coast Pkwy Ne, Palm Coast, FL 32137-8218
1109 Palm Coast Pkwy Sw, Palm Coast, FL 32137-4704
MinuteClinic: 1 Old Kings Rd, Palm Coast, FL 32137
CVS/pharmacy: 1 Old Kings Road South, Palm Coast, FL 32137
5151 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Walmart: 174 Cypress Point Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32164 • 386-445-7548
Winn-Dixie: 1260 W. Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137 • 386-
446-4699
CVS/pharmacy in Target Store: 5100 E Hwy 100, Palm Coast, FL 32164
• 386-313-3952
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