Think Twice Before Using Cosmetics on Your Child’s Skin: A Warning from Our Pediatricians

At Orleans Family Health Clinic (OFHC), our pediatric team—the largest outpatient pediatrician group in Ottawa—is deeply concerned about a growing trend: the use of adult cosmetic products on babies and young children.

Would you spray perfume on your six-month-old? Paint their delicate nails with polish that may contain formaldehyde? Apply bronzer to their cheeks? You might be surprised to learn that many families are doing just that.

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Giving Thanks for Health and Family This Thanksgiving

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the importance of family and health. At Orleans Family Health Clinic, our mission is to support you and your loved ones in staying healthy throughout the year. Whether it’s through routine checkups, chronic disease management, or immunizations, we’re here to ensure your family’s well-being. This season is a great opportunity to reflect on the many blessings in life, especially our health, which is often taken for granted. (more…)

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“Man Flu” Is Real? A Humorous Look at the Science Behind Why Men May Get Sicker from Viruses

We’ve all heard the jokes about “man flu”—a seemingly minor cold or flu that sends men to the couch in a dramatic display of suffering. But what if there was more truth to the humor than we thought? New scientific research suggests that men may actually get sicker from viral infections than women, and it all comes down to a tiny, powerful difference in our biology.
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How Your Social Media Habits May Be Impacting Your Kids — Even When You’re Offline

At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we know that modern parenting often involves navigating a digital world. Many parents try their best to limit screen time around their children, but a growing body of research now suggests that our digital habits — especially our use of social media — may affect our children in more subtle and lasting ways than we realize.

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How Can You Tell Long-COVID in Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers?

Do babies and toddlers really get long-COVID? According to the RECOVER–Pediatrics cohort study, the answer is yes—but their symptoms may look quite different from those in preschoolers, school-aged children, or adolescents.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s effort to understand long-COVID across all age groups. Researchers developed age-specific indices to identify symptoms most likely to indicate long-COVID in children as young as infants.

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Parents & Teens: New Study Raises Alarming Concerns About AI Chatbots and Youth Safety

A recent investigation by the Center for Countering Digital Hate has found that AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, can provide teens with dangerous and detailed instructions on harmful activities—despite initial safety warnings.

Researchers posing as vulnerable 13-year-olds asked ChatGPT about topics like alcohol, drug use, extreme dieting, and self-harm. While the chatbot often began with cautionary statements, it frequently went on to give step-by-step plans for risky and illegal behaviors.

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Parents & Teens: New Study Raises Alarming Concerns About AI Chatbots and Youth Safety

A recent investigation by the Center for Countering Digital Hate has found that AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, can provide teens with dangerous and detailed instructions on harmful activities—despite initial safety warnings.

Researchers posing as vulnerable 13-year-olds asked ChatGPT about topics like alcohol, drug use, extreme dieting, and self-harm. While the chatbot often began with cautionary statements, it frequently went on to give step-by-step plans for risky and illegal behaviors.

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Stay Informed: Understanding Water Quality Advisories at Ontario’s Beaches

As a heat wave sweeps across southern Ontario, many of us are looking to local beaches for a much-needed escape. While these public spaces offer vital relief from the heat, recent advisories about elevated bacteria levels at some popular beaches serve as an important reminder to prioritize water safety.
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