Now Your Kid Can’t Stop Coughing.

January in Virginia. The heat’s cranked up. The air is bone dry. Your kid wakes up with a bloody nose, dry throat, irritated skin.

So you do what every good parent does: You buy a humidifier.

You set it up in their room. You run it every night. Problem solved, right?

Except now they’re coughing more. They’re wheezing. They say their chest feels tight.

Plot twist: The thing you bought to help them breathe better is making them sick.

🦠 How Humidifiers Become Germ Factories

Here’s what’s happening inside that humidifier:

Water sits in the tank. Even for a day or two. Room temperature. Dark. Perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

The humidifier aerosolizes that water. It turns it into a fine mist and sprays it into the air your child breathes.

Your child inhales bacteria and mold spores all night long.

Congratulations. You just turned your kid’s bedroom into a petri dish with a fan.

“Humidifier Fever” Is Real

It’s called “humidifier fever” or “humidifier lung,” and it’s more common than you think.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent cough (especially at night)
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms that won’t go away

The kicker? Symptoms often get worse at night (when the humidifier is running) and improve during the day (when they’re at school).

🔬 What’s Growing in There?

Studies have found these delightful things in dirty humidifiers:

Bacteria

Legionella (yes, the Legionnaires’ disease bacteria), Pseudomonas, and other respiratory pathogens. Can cause serious lung infections.

Mold & Fungi

Black mold, Aspergillus, and other fungi. Trigger allergies, asthma attacks, and respiratory infections.

Mineral Dust (“White Dust”)

From tap water. Fine particles settle on furniture AND get inhaled into lungs. Can cause respiratory irritation.

When to Come to Night Watch

Bring your child in if they have:

• Persistent cough that gets worse at night
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Fever with respiratory symptoms
• Symptoms that improve away from home
• Asthma that’s suddenly worse

We can evaluate for respiratory infections, provide breathing treatments, and help you figure out if environmental factors (like your humidifier) are making them sick.

🧼 How to Clean Your Humidifier (Properly)

Most people don’t clean their humidifiers nearly enough.

Here’s what you should actually be doing:

• Daily: Empty tank, rinse with fresh water, refill
• Every 3 days: Deep clean with white vinegar (removes mineral buildup)
• Weekly: Disinfect with 3% hydrogen peroxide or bleach solution
• Always: Use distilled or demineralized water (not tap water)
• Replace filters: According to manufacturer instructions

⚠️ Red Flags Your Humidifier Is Dirty

• Visible slime or film in the tank
• Musty or moldy smell
• White dust on furniture near humidifier
• Mineral buildup (crusty deposits)
• Can’t remember when you last cleaned it

If you see any of these? Stop using it immediately and deep clean.

Better Options

• Warm mist humidifiers: Boil water, killing bacteria before releasing steam
• UV light humidifiers: Kill microorganisms before misting
• Easier alternatives: Bowl of water near heat vent, wet towels, more houseplants
• Keep humidity 30-50%: Too high = mold growth in your home

Your humidifier should help your child breathe. Not turn their bedroom into a science experiment.

(And Your New Patient at Night Watch)

Christmas morning. The kids unwrap the last present. Inside the crate: one adorable, wiggly, 8-week-old puppy.

Everyone screams with joy. The puppy is thrilled. Maybe a little too thrilled.

Fast forward three days: Your 7-year-old has scratches down both arms. Your teenager has a puncture wound on their hand. You have a bite mark that’s starting to look… concerning.

Welcome to new pet ownership.

🐕 Why Puppies (and Kittens) Bite

First, let’s be clear: Your new puppy isn’t aggressive. They’re just being a puppy.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. They play-bite. They nip. They chew on literally everything—including your fingers, your toes, your kid’s hair.

Kittens? Even worse. Those tiny needle-sharp claws and teeth can do serious damage, especially when they’re playing or scared.

The problem? Their mouths are full of bacteria. And those cute little teeth can break skin surprisingly easily.

🚨 When That Cute Bite Needs Medical Attention

Come to Night Watch if:

• The bite broke the skin (especially if it’s a puncture wound)
• It’s on the face, hand, or near a joint
• The wound is deep or won’t stop bleeding
• Signs of infection appear (redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks)
• It happened more than 8 hours ago and wasn’t cleaned properly
• You’re not sure of the pet’s vaccination status (adopted from shelter, stray, etc.)

🐱 Cat Scratches: Small But Mighty Dangerous

Got a new kitten for the holidays? Those tiny scratches are not harmless.

Cat Scratch Disease (yes, it’s real): Caused by bacteria in cat saliva that gets on their claws. Can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and in rare cases, more serious complications.

Watch for:

• Red, raised bump at scratch site (appears 3-14 days after)
• Swollen lymph nodes (especially under arms or in neck)
• Fever
• Fatigue or headache

Dog Bites: Not Just About Infection

Even your sweet, friendly new puppy can cause injury:

Puncture wounds:

Deep, narrow wounds that don’t bleed much but push bacteria deep into tissue. High infection risk.

Crushing injuries:

Even without breaking skin, dog bites can crush tissue, blood vessels, nerves. Can cause serious damage to hands especially.

Tearing:

Jagged wounds that may need stitches.

What We Do at Night Watch

When you come to Night Watch with an animal bite or scratch:

• Thorough wound cleaning (irrigation to remove bacteria)
• Evaluation for tissue damage (nerves, tendons, blood vessels)
• Stitches if needed (though some bites are left open to prevent infection)
• Antibiotics (especially for punctures, cat bites, hand/face wounds)
• Rabies evaluation (if vaccination status unknown)

Preventing Pet Injuries at 🏡

Tips for the first few weeks:

• Supervise all interactions with young children
• Teach kids not to put hands near puppy’s mouth during play
• Redirect biting to appropriate chew toys
• Trim kitten nails regularly
• Don’t use hands as toys (teaches them it’s okay to bite/scratch)
• Start training early (puppy classes, bite inhibition)

🩹 First Aid at Home

If your new pet bites or scratches someone:

• Wash immediately with soap and running water for 5+ minutes
• Apply pressure if bleeding
• Don’t seal puncture wounds with bandages – let them drain
• Then get it checked at Night Watch

New pets are adorable. Animal bites are not. Get it checked before it gets infected.

Flu season affects everyone—from toddlers to grandparents. The good news? A few simple steps can help protect your whole family. Here’s what you need to know.

Get Your Flu Vaccine

Vaccination is your best defense against the flu. Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu shot, ideally in early fall. The vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, so plan ahead before flu activity peaks in your community.

Note: Children getting their first flu shot may need two doses spaced four weeks apart.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

Your hands come into contact with countless surfaces throughout the day. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after being in public spaces. For kids, singing a favorite song helps them time it right.

Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol works in a pinch when soap and water aren’t available.

Practice Proper Cough and Sneeze Etiquette

Encourage everyone in your household to cough or sneeze into their elbow rather than their hands. This simple habit significantly reduces the spread of germs. Make it a family practice—consistency is key, especially with children.

Stay Home When You’re Sick

We understand work and school obligations can be demanding, but staying home when you’re ill helps prevent spreading the virus to others. Both adults and children should remain home until they’re fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Rest is essential for recovery, and your colleagues and classmates will appreciate your consideration.

Support Your Immune System

A healthy lifestyle strengthens your body’s natural defenses. Focus on adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, regular hydration, and physical activity. These fundamentals help people of all ages fight off infections more effectively.

Clean High-Touch Surfaces

Regularly disinfect frequently touched items like doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, remote controls, and shared toys. Consistent cleaning of these hotspots during flu season makes a meaningful difference.

When to Visit Urgent Care

Most people recover from the flu at home with rest and fluids. However, seek medical attention if you or your child experiences:

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• High fever over 104°F or fever lasting more than 3-4 days
• Signs of severe dehydration (dizziness, very dark urine, minimal tears in children)
• Symptoms that improve then suddenly worsen
• Chest pain or persistent confusion

Young children (under 5) and older adults may benefit from antiviral medication when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.

The Bottom Line

Flu season is predictable, but being prepared makes all the difference. Get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, stay home when sick, and maintain healthy habits. These straightforward steps work.

If you do become ill despite preventive measures, remember that rest, hydration, and time are your best allies. Our Stone Ridge team is here when you need us—no appointment necessary.

Keep your family safe in Aldie’s summer heat! Night Watch Urgent Care sees kids & adults — here’s how to prevent heat exhaustion & dehydration.

From backyard BBQs to soccer at Brambleton parks, Aldie summers keep families busy. Make sure you know how to prevent heat exhaustion and when IV fluids may help!

Tips:

√ Stay hydrated during outdoor sports and South Riding Center pool days

√ Wear light clothes and hats

√ Use insect repellent and check for ticks

√ Know signs of heat exhaustion: headache, dizziness, confusion

√ Keep cold water bottles in the car for day trips

When to Visit Us: We care for kids and adults — come in for dehydration, heat exhaustion, or when oral fluids aren’t enough. IV hydration therapy available for the whole family.

Visit Night Watch Urgent Care in Aldie, VA — your urgent care for kids & adults, including IV fluids.