COLDS/ UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS Symptoms: *runny or stuffy nose *usually a fever, sore throat, and fatigue *sometimes a cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck Home Care: Clear the childs nose using saline drops,bulb suction syringes ( for infants), humidifiers. Treat fevers and mild aches with ibuprophen ( over 102 F) For sore throats use hard candies ( over 4 years old) soothy suckers ( 2-4 years, and warm broth ( children over 1 year) Encorage drinking fluids bby letting child choose from a variety of drinks, popsicles or ice chips. Call During Office Hours If: * fever lasts more than 3 days *eyes develop a yellow discharge *you cant unblock the nose for your infant to drink adequate fluids *you think your child has sinus pain or earache *childs throat become very sore FLU Symtoms: *fever *sore throat *cough *headache *chills *muscle aches Home Care: Use acetaminophen (tylenol) every 6 hours, or ibruprophen (motrin) evry 8 for fevers over 102, or for aches an pains Give cough drops to children over 4; corn syrup 1/2 - 1 teaspoon as need to children undre 4 years Hard candy for sore throats in children over 4 years, warm broth for children under 4 years ( over 1 year) For stuffy noses use warm water or saline drops and suction ( or nose blowing) to open blocked noses. Saline nasal drops are made by adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water. CONTAGIOUS The Flu spreads rapidly because the incubation period is only 24-36 hours and the virus is very contagious. Your child may return to school if they are fever free and feel up to it.
|