William Penn Life, 2013 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2013-01-01 / 1. szám
Our Health Corner with Debbie woife, rn Children and cold medicines WINTER IS HERE, and with it, the coughs and sniffly noses of the little people in our lives. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, it is good to know how to safely give over-the-counter medicines to ease a fever, runny nose or other cold symptoms. Here are some questions and answers to common childhood ailments. What should I do if my child has a fever? Pediatricians say a fever is significant when it's 100.4 degrees or higher. If your child has a fever, call the doctor if the child is younger than six months or has had the fever for more than two days. In other cases, it is usually safe to use children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Never give a child aspirin. It poses a risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness that affects the liver and brain of children. What else can I do to bring down the temperature? A sponge bath with lukewarm water may help. Never use cold water, ice or rubbing alcohol. Dress your child lightly and don't pile on blankets. Watch for signs of dehydration. Call the doctor or go to the ER if your infant has dry diapers or a dry mouth or tongue. For an older child, call the doctor if he is not urinating enough or not drinking. Will grandma’s chicken soup really help? Yes. Studies show chicken soup may help reduce inflammation. It's nutritious and can help prevent dehydration. Also, give plenty of other fluids, like water or an electrolyte solution (e.g., PediaCare, Gatorade). What eases a sore throat and cough? Most sore throats are caused by colds and last about four to five days. For kids over the age of 2, give warm tea or water with a half teaspoon of honey and lemon. To ease a cough in kids over the age of 1, try one teaspoon of buckwheat honey; for kids over 6, hard candy or over-the-counter lozenges. Gargling with warm salt water may help, too. How old does a child need to be to take cough or cold medicine? Don't give over-the-counter meds to children younger than 4. They may cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. To ease cold symptoms, for younger ones, give extra fluids and use a nasal aspirator and humidifier. What over-the-counter medicine should I use? Choose medicines only for the symptoms your child has. It's okay to give a multi-symptom OTC medicine, as long as it fits your child's symptoms. To avoid over-medicating your child, read and follow the directions and use the measuring device that is packaged with the medicine. Decongestant vs. expectorant: what do I give and when? Decongestants shrink stuffy nasal passages. They are available as nasal drops or oral medicine. Nasal drops should not be used for more than two or three days in a row. Cough expectorants may help thin mucus so it can be coughed up. Your child needs to drink a lot of water for an expectorant to work. Cough suppressants don't help get rid of mucus. Even if a cough keeps a child awake at night, it's usually better not to suppress it. How do I figure out the right dose? Dose the OTC medication according to the directions on the label based on your child's age and weight. Read the "warning" section for possible drug interactions and side effects. Pay attention to label abbreviations, like tbsp. (tablespoon), tsp. (teaspoon), oz. (ounces), ml. (milliliter) and mg. (milligram). These are all very different measurements. Should I wake my child up for medicine? Rest is one of the best remedies for a cold, so let them sleep. If that means skipping a dose of OTC medicine, don't worry: you can give the next dose when they wake up. If your child has been taking OTC medicine for more than three days, they should see the doctor. If my child vomits, should I give another dose? NO! If your child vomits up his medicine or spits some of it out, you may be tempted to give another dose. But, you can't be sure how much of the medicine your child actually swallowed. Instead, call your pediatrician for instructions. If your child hates the taste of the medicine, ask your pharmacist if you can mix it with a favorite food or drink. If I don’t have any children’s medicine, can I give half the adult dose? Never give your child any medication meant for adults. You will just be guessing at the dosage, and children's medications are formulated differently. Use only products that are labeled for pediatric use. Taking care of the apple of your eye is not really that hard. It can be intimidating if you have never had a child or if it has been a long time since you have had one living in your house. Just remember, they are children and not just "mini-adults." They have different medical needs, and need to be treated with special care. If you have any questions, always call your doctor. And always seek medical attention for any child whose symptoms worsen or do not improve after treatment. Have a great winter and a great 2013! Till next month.... fee Healthy! fee Happy! stay Fit! I i>ebbie William Penn Life 0 January 2013 0 11
