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When should I take my child to the doctor?

When should I take my child to the doctor? . Parenting Education for School-Aged Parents I Samantha Garza. Why does my child get sick? . Bacteria: living cells These type of infections CAN be treated with antibotics

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When should I take my child to the doctor?

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  1. When should I take my child to the doctor? Parenting Education for School-Aged Parents I Samantha Garza

  2. Why does my child get sick? • Bacteria: living cells • These type of infections CAN be treated with antibotics • Viruses: are not complete cells-they live inside the human cell to live and reproduce Viruses typically have to be managed by our immune system and eventually “Run their course” • Few viruses have medicines to treat except the flu and severe herpes infections. • There are vaccines to help prevent certain viral infections (polio, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis A & B)

  3. Normal Temperatures • A normal temperature is 98.6 degrees when taken orally. (by mouth) • A rectal temperature usually run higher than oral temperatures: 99.6 degrees • Many doctors define a fever above 99.4 orally and 100.4 rectally

  4. Ways to take your child’s temperature Orally: by mouth with digital thermometer Place the end of the thermometer under the tongue and leave it there until the thermometer beeps. Recommended for ages: 4 and up

  5. Rectally • Coat the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and insert it half an inch into the rectum. Hold the thermometer still and do not let go, leave it in until it beeps. • Once done with the thermometer, wash it with warm soapy water. • This is most accurate

  6. Axillary • Another less invasive technique is to take temperature under the arm. This is not as accurate as the other forms of temperature taking, but gives you a fairly good idea of your child’s temperature. Simply place the digital thermometer underneath your child’s bare armpit and hold their arm down to keep thermometer in place.

  7. Video of taking temperature • http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=videos+on+taking+axillary+temperature&FORM=VIRE13#view=detail&mid=33306857C8CEAC77213033306857C8CEAC772130

  8. Ear • An ear thermometer is not recommended for children under 1 year of age because their teeny little ear canals make the temperature taken from ear inaccurate. • http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=videos+on+taking+ear+temperature&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=videos+on+taking+ear+temperature&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=B2DFEEBB35E19D35F77FB2DFEEBB35E19D35F77F

  9. Other methods • Forehead thermometer: this product is basically as reliable as feeling the child’s forehead with your hand. It isn’t as accurate as the oral or rectal methods. • Pacifier thermometer: again not as accurate

  10. Medicine • Acetaminophen: (Children’s/Infants Tylenol) • Relieves pain and lowers fever. Check the package label or ask doctor for proper dosage. • Ibuprofen: (Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin) fever reducer Advil for use on children over age of 6 months of age. Look at package or ask doctor for proper dosage. • Most pediatricians do not recommend giving medicine for fever unless higher than 101.

  11. Tips on giving medicine • Don’t give more than recommended doses in a day. • Don’t give a baby younger than 3 months medicine unless doctor recommends it. • Read labels carefully, ensuring you give your child a proper amount of medicine. • Use a dropper for infants and cup as child is older and can hold it and swallow it.

  12. Ways to make your child feel better • Give your child plenty of fluids to drink to prevent dehydration and help body cool itself. • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. (be at home so your child can rest) • Dress child in light clothing (pj’s) do not overheat them and if child is chilled cover them but remove it when chills stop.

  13. Will a bath help lower my child’s fever? • Used together, acetaminophen and a lukewarm bath may help lower a fever. • Give medicine before bath. Don’t use cold water for baths or alcohol. • Your child may not enjoy a bath as they may shiver.

  14. When should I call the doctor? • Less than 3 months old: Call your doctor right away if your baby’s temperature is over 100.4 degrees rectally even if she or he does not seem sick. • 3-6 months old: Call your doctor if your baby has a temperature of 101 degrees or higher. • 6 months and older: If your child has a fever of 102 degree, watch how he/she acts. Call you doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 3 days. If higher call you doctor.

  15. Other signs to call doctor • Constant vomiting or diarrhea • Dry mouth • Earache or pulling at ears • Fever comes and goes for several days • High-pitched crying • Irritable • Not hungry • Pale • Seizures • Severe headaches • Skin rash • Stomach pain • Wheezing or problems breathing • Unresponsive/limp

  16. Resources • Webmd.com • Babycenter.com • Modernstork.com • Familydoctor.org • Mamasource.com • Youtube.com

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