Website helps parents manage childhood illness, injury

CALGARY – With the new school year upon us, Alberta Health Services (AHS) would like to remind parents about an online tool to help them manage common childhood illnesses and injuries that don’t require treatment in an emergency department.

The HEAL (Health Education and Learning) website, which launched last year, offers accessible, reliable information about common minor illnesses and injuries in children, including croup, coughs, common colds, ear pain, nosebleeds, head injuries, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, febrile seizures and rashes. The site also includes detailed descriptions of illnesses and injuries, symptoms, treatment and advice on when to seek immediate medical attention.

The HEAL website also contains videos about the role of emergency staff, as well as what to expect when coming to the hospital to make both parents and patients more comfortable with their hospital experience. The website has been reviewed by staff and families to ensure it is user-friendly, understandable and easy to navigate. The information is also available in a mobile-friendly format.

Visit HEAL at www.ahs.ca/heal or albertahealthservices.ca/heal.

HEAL is connected to the Know Your Options campaign, an AHS initiative that educates Albertans about healthcare options in their communities and provides accurate information on how to get the right care in the right place. Learn more about Know Your Options at ahs.ca/options.

For more information, or to discuss health concerns, parents in Alberta can also call 811 to speak to a registered nurse for health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca for resources and information on a variety of health topics.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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