Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 204) kids & teens AILMENTS Playing Sherlock If your child is pale, tired and has a high temperature, she could have a cold or the flu. Your doctor also may recommend eardrops or a warm heating pad held over the ear to relieve the ache. If the infection is bacterial, your child may need an antibiotic. However, about 8 in 10 children who have ear infections get better without antibiotics. If your child has frequent ear infections or if the infection causes fluid behind the eardrum that won’t go away, your doctor may recommend that a “tube” be inserted into your child’s eardrum. The tube allows air into the middle ear and enables accumulated fluid to drain down the eustachian tube, which connects the ear and the throat. Here’s some good news about prevention: Having your child immunized with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine provides protection from a kind of bacteria that causes ear infections. If you smoke, quitting may help because children who live with adults who smoke are more likely to have ear infections. Children who nurse from a bottle while lying down also appear to have ear infections more often, while breastfed children have them less often. Finally, since the infections often occur during or just after a cold, you can help prevent an onset by taking precautions against the sniffles. When your child isn’t feeling good, slip on your detective hat. Many ailments can cause the same symptoms. So here are some tips on tracking clues. They may lead you to the culprit. By Susan Gilbert Squelch the sniffles Frequent hand washing can cut down on the number of colds (and other infections) by stopping the spread of germs. But research also suggests that secondhand smoke increases the risk of colds as well as ear infections. So while you’re encouraging your children to keep their hands clean, also keep them away from cigarette smoke. Be aware, however, that even your best efforts can’t prevent colds entirely. It’s common for infants and toddlers to get as many as 10 of them a year. Caused by microscopic viruses, a cold often starts with fatigue, sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. Your child may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes or a headache. Colds usually go away in anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks without antibiotics or other medical treatment. But call the doctor if the symptoms are severe or your child has a sore throat and fever that last longer than 24 hours. You might be dealing with strep throat, a bacterial infection that can lead to complications unless treated promptly. Other symptoms, including aches, pains, chills, cough, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting and high fever (102–104°F), may indicate influenza, more commonly known as flu. Getting your child a flu shot each year can prevent the illness. If your child gets the flu, contact your family doctor right away for evaluation and possible treatment of the influenza infection and its possible complications. Over-thecounter medicines, such as ibuprofen, also can be used to reduce the fever and aches. Make sure your child drinks water or juice regularly to prevent dehydration. Y our child is pale and unusually tired. She’s running a slight fever. Clearly, she’s not well. But should you call the doctor? Finding out what’s wrong with a toddler, school-age child or teen often takes a little detective work since common childhood complaints — runny noses, coughs and other aches and pains — can signal several ailments. As a parent, be aware that infants are more vulnerable than adults to many infections because their immune systems are still immature. Children in day care or school get many infections because they are exposed to many other children who have viruses and other germs. Watch for ear problems Middle ear infections are among the most common problems in children under age 6 — 75% complain of them at one time or another. Your baby or toddler may let you know about the pain by pulling on the affected ear, or getting really fussy and irritable after having a runny nose for a few days. Other symptoms include fever, hearing troubles, sleeping problems, impaired balance and even vomiting. Middle ear infections may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Call your family doctor if you suspect such an infection. The first step your doctor will take is to make your child comfortable with pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. 204 familydoctor 2007
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