| Earache |
Symptoms:
- Pain or
discomfort around the ear.
- Child
reporting ear pain.
- Child acting
like previously with ear infection (crying, fussy).
Treatment:
- Give
acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if older than 6 months)
- Raise the head
of the bed 30 - 45°.
- Apply warm
compress to ear - if older than 1 year.
- Try a few
drops of warm Oragel to affected ear. DO NOT USE IF EAR IS
DRAINING.
- If earache
persists to the morning and child has a fever, call for an
appointment.
Remember:
Earaches do not always indicate an infection. |
| Fever |
Symptoms:
- Elevation of
the normal body temperature.
- Fever is a
friend - it helps the body fight infection.
- Fever is not
dangerous and will never go high enough to cause harm (even
when over 104° F).
- Fever is often
higher in the evening and lower in the morning.
- Fever should
only last 2-3 days.
Treatment:
- If temperature
is below 101° F - no treatment necessary.
- Increase daily
fluid intake.
- Keep child
lightly dressed with clothes that will breathe.
- Give
acetaminophen or ibuprofen for comfort.
- For
temperatures above 103° F - bathe child in lukewarm bath
20-30 minutes (water temperature should be around 98° F).
- Call
immediately if child is under 2 months of age and has a
temperature above 100.5° F, child is difficult to arouse or
does not interact with you, child is complaining of stiff
neck or not able to move neck.
- Call during
regular office hours if the fever last longer than 3 days.
|
| Congestion,
Cough |
Symptoms:
- Runny or
stuffy nose (drainage may be clear, cloudy, yellow or
green).
- Associated
symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, red eyes.
- The average
child will have as many as 8 colds per year. Children in day
care setting may get a cold every 2-3 weeks during the
winter season.
- Antibiotics
and cold medication will not cure a cold.
Treatment:
There is no cure
for a cold but offer comfort support including:
- Give
acetaminophen for fever or discomfort.
- Increase daily
fluid intake.
- Use a cool
mist humidifier to moisturize secretions (remember to change
water daily).
- Raise the head
of the bed 30- 45° (Infant may sleep in car seat).
- Nasal saline
drops or spray and nasal suctioning as needed.
- Children over
1 year of age may use oral decongestants (pseudoephedrine)
as needed to decrease congestion for a few hours.
Cough is one of
the body's own way of getting rid of mucus, so unless it is
painful or keeping the child awake, do not give
cough suppressants. |
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