Health news and more for teens

Take a look at Multnomah County's "eHealth for Teens" web site. You don't have to live in Multnomah County to learn a lot. You can get great advice on health, fitness, nutrition, drugs, alcohol and a host of other topics written especially for teens. Just visit www.eh4t.org.

Recently nine people in Oregon came down with pertussis, sometimes called “whooping cough.”

Most of the children who got sick hadn’t had all their vaccinations. Children should have a “DTaP” shot for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4 and 6 months old and a final shot between 15 and 18 months old. They should have another when they are 4 to 6 years old. Adults and older children also should stay up to date with all their shots.

You can find out when children and adults should have shots in your CareOregon member handbook, or on our web site.

Is your car safety seat the right size?

Oregon state law says children who are 8 years old or younger, or who are not yet 4 feet 9 inches tall, must use a car safety seat or a booster seat.

Many groups have classes that help you know if your child’s safety seat is correct.

Legacy Health will have a free class March 22, 2008, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center’s Parking Structure 3, 2801 N. Gantenbein Ave., Portland.

For a list of care seat clinics in your community, visit the Alliance for Community Traffic Safety web site.