For Parents

Parenting Help: Genesis Advice Packet (GAP)

Symptoms:

Pain or discomfort in the throat, worsens with swallowing.
Child under 2 years of age doesn't know how to complain of a sore throat, but may refuse previously enjoyed foods or cry with feedings.

Treatment:

Gargle with warm salt water (1 tsp. per 8 oz glass of water)
Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for comfort.
Encourage cold fluids or foods.
Soft bland diet - avoiding spicy, acidic or rough textured foods.
Call during regular office hours if sore throat lasts longer than 24 hours, it is accompanied by fever, the child has recent contact or exposure to strep throat, it is accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting or headache, if a rash develops.
Call immediately if there is drooling, difficulty breathing, or swallowing.

Symptoms:

Treatment (if no loss of consciousness):

Clean any scrapes or cuts with soap and water.
Apply direct pressure to cuts for 10 minutes to control bleeding (Caution: head injuries tend to bleed heavily).
Apply cool compress or ice pack to affected area to decrease swelling.
Give acetaminophen for headache.
If child is sleepy allow them to sleep, but stay nearby and arouse every two hours during the day or four hours during the night.

Observe child and notify your doctor if any of the following are noticed:

Child has a deep cut in the scalp that may need suturing.
Child becomes disoriented, confused or dizzy.
Child begins vomiting more than twice ( is not uncommon for child to vomit right after injury occurs if upset).
Child is having difficulty speaking or blurred vision.
Child is having blood or watery fluid from nose or ears.
Child cannot remember how injury occurred.
Child is unusually sleepy.

Symptoms:

Tight, low pitched barky cough (seal like bark).
Voice or cry hoarse sounding.
Child may have stridor - crowing like noise when child breathes in as croup becomes worse.
Symptoms tend to increase in the evening and last for 5 -6 days.
Associated symptoms include fever or nasal congestion.

Treatment:

Croup without stridor:

Cool mist vaporizer at night.
Increase daily fluid intake. Use warm fluids if having cough spasms to relax airways.
Ibuprogen if older than 6 months. Cold medications or antibiotics do not cure the illness.

Croup with stridor:

Take child outside for 5 -10 minutes into cold night air or have the child breathe in air from an open freezer.
Foggy bathroom -turn on the hot water in the shower and close the bathroom door. Bring the child into the foggy room to breathe the warm moist air for 10-15 minutes.
If these measures are unsuccessful call the office immediately.