Due to the weather, both offices will be closed today 12/23. We will reopen Saturday morning at our BELVIDERE office only. 8:30am-Noon. All scheduled appointments will be rescheduled at your convienence. Be careful out there!
A great resource for books is available on the International Children's Digital Library website! Digital books available for download, many languages and they are free! Visit http://en.childrenslibrary.org/icdl/SimpleSearchCategory?ilang=English Or just google International Children's Digital Library.
Cold
Children tend to have more colds than any other illness. In fact, children in daycare facilities or those with school-age siblings may have more colds. This is because colds are typically spread easily among children who are in close contact with one another. The good news is that most colds clear up within a week or two.
Colds are caused by viruses, which can easily spread from one person to another through a sneeze or cough.
Symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Mild fever
- Decreased appetite
- Cough
- Sore throat (in some cases difficulty swallowing)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Treatment
There is no cure for the common cold. Give your child plenty of fluids and make sure they get extra rest. If your child has a cold without any complications, it should clear up within seven to ten days.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve symptoms, such as fever, headache or muscle aches. Be sure to give your child the correct dosage based on their age or weight. Over the counter cold and cough medicines should never been given to infants and children under two years old. They could potentially experience life-threatening side effects. In fact, several studies indicate that over the counter cough and cold medicines do not relieve symptoms in children younger than six.
Practicing simple methods at home can alleviate cold symptoms and make your child more comfortable. Saltwater or saline drops can ease nasal congestion. Fortunately, these can be purchased at your local pharmacy without a prescription. A cool-mist humidifier can also relieve congestion. Children older than three can be given hard candy or cough drops to ease a sore throat. Heating pads or a warm bath can alleviate aches and pains. And if your child is having trouble breathing, the steam from a hot shower can make breathing easier.
When to Call the Doctor
If your infant is three months old or younger, contact their pediatrician when they first begin to experience cold symptoms. With babies, symptoms can be misleading. Colds can rapidly develop into more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or croup.
If your child is older than three months contact their pediatrician if:
- They have a fever over 102 degrees
- Their lips or nails turn blue
- Their cough persists beyond a week
- They are breathing fast or having trouble breathing
The pediatrician may request you bring your child in for an appointment or that you monitor symptoms closely and contact the office if he or she does not get better each day and is not completely better within a week.
Flu
Flu or influenza is a highly contagious infection that causes a high fever accompanied by chills and shakes, headache, body aches, a dry hacking cough, sore throat, and in some cases vomiting or nausea. The flu is caused by influenza viruses.
Among children, the virus can be easily spread at school by sneezing, coughing and hand contact. Symptoms typically clear up within a week.
Treatment
Home remedies and some medications can relieve symptoms. Remember antibiotics are ineffective.
Your child should get plenty of rest and drinks lots of liquids. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be given for fever and body aches. Dosages should be administered based on your child’s age or weight.
Please speak with your child’s pediatrician before giving them over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Generally, infants and children under two years old should never take these medications. Moreover, research indicates that these medicines do not effectively treat children under six, and taking them can cause serious side effects.
Prevention
Prevention is the best medicine. Influenza vaccinations can prevent your child from getting a bad case of the flu. Vaccines are typically administered in the fall, before the flu season begins.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all persons six months and older receive the vaccine.
Children with the following conditions are at a higher risk for flu complications, and should receive the vaccine each year:
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Sickle cell
- Cancer
- Those younger than five years old
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month