This article is part of the developing Coronavirus coverage, and may be outdated. Go here for the latest. What should parents do if their teens and tweens, with easy access to information on their phones and laptops, develop anxiety over what they have heard about the coronavirus? Damour said. Other common-sense tips include trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth , all routes of viral transmission, and keeping your distance from people who are coughing.

Ron J. Steingard, MD. Anxiety and depression occur in both genders, but by the teenage years, girls are much more at risk than boys. Before puberty, the prevalence of mood disorders is about the same in boys and girls—3 to 5 percent. But by mid-adolescence girls are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder as boys, with the prevalence at adult levels, 14 to 20 percent. Why such a big disparity in mood disorders? We know from looking at brain scans that there are differences in the way girls and boys process emotional stimuli.

There are 4 vaccines recommended for preteens. These vaccines can prevent very serious diseases like meningitis and HPV cancers. At years old, your preteen should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:.

Protect your child from developing certain types of cancers later in life with the HPV vaccine at ages 11— Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11—12 ; the vaccine can be given as early as age 9. Children who start the vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three shots given over 6 months. Vaccines protect your child before they are exposed to a disease. HPV vaccination is also recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.