Coughs, colds, sniffles and fevers in children

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 5, 19 August 1988, Page 29

Coughs, colds, sniffles and fevers in children

Colds are caused by a number of different viruses, and the average toddler can expect to get between six- nine colds a year. A cold may start with a runny nose and a cough and the child appears "off-colour" . Most colds get better within three-five days, but if your child develops a sore throat, ear ache, thick green-yel-low nasal discharge, a chesty cough, has difficulty breathing or appears pale and floppy see your doctor. It is a good idea to think back over the last 24 hours and compare whether your child appears better or worse. Young babies can only breathe through their noses and have difficulty breathing if their noses are blocked. If this happens see your doctor or health nurse for advice. A piece of rag with vicks on it tucked inside your baby's night clothes can help clear a blocked nose. Do not rub vicks straight onto a young baby's chest as it can cause a rash. Camphorated oil rubbed onto a baby's skin can be dangerous and should never be used. Fevers Fevers are conunon in children. If you child has a fever of more than 38.5eC or appears hot, flushed or sweaty it is important to cool her down. Start by dressing your

child in light cool clothing and have the room at a comfortable temperature - not too warm and not too cold. Keep the bed clothes light and cool. A sponge down or bath in tepid water will also help. The water needs to be about the same temperature as you would bath a brand new baby in. The water

on the child's skin will act as "sweat" to help cool her down and lower the temperature. Paracetamol Elixir will help reduce the fever. Give Paracetamol strictly according to the directions on the bottle for your child's age or as ordered by your doctor. Give your child plenty of fluids to replace the

loss caused by the fever and sweating. Flat lemonade is a good standby fluid for sick children. Don't worry if your child won't eat. It does not matter providing your child is drinking plenty of fluid. Never attempt to put extra clothing on your child in an attempt to "sweat" the fever out. If your child's fever stays high, continues to rise or does not come down after two

does of Paracetamol see your doctor. If your child is no better 24 hours after seeing your doctor see your doctor again. See your doctor anytime that you are worried. It is very important to treat fevers in children as some children can have a febrile convulsion or fit caused by the fever. If you child has a fit stay with him, prevent him from harming himself during the fit and let the fit run its course. Then call your doctor. Smoking Babies and children need clean air. Adults can make their own minds up as to whether they wish to smoke or not but babies are frequently not given the choice and are forced to breathe heavy smoke filled air. Making a smoke-free zone for baby is a responsible solution to the problem if yours is a smoking household. Enforce the smoke-free zone by not allowing people to smoke in any room that the baby uses and definitely do not allow people to smoke when holding the baby. Alternatively have one room that the baby does not use as a smoking area, or sug-

gest smokers use the back porch. Your baby's health will most definitely benefit from this move. It is a well known fact that children of smokers are more inclined to be chesty ore wheezy. If your child has asthma cigarette smoke can definitely trigger an asthmatic attack. Diarrhoea and Vomiting Diarrhoea and vomiting can be very serious in babies and young children as they can become dehydrated very quickly. If your baby has more than:- • Three runny motions in one day

• Vomits for more than six hours • Has both diarrhoea and vomiting See your doctor urgently. Don't wait until your baby is lethargic and has sunken eyes. In the meantime continue breast feeding or offer the baby cool boiled water. Do not give solids or formula milk. If the diarrhoea o r vomiting continues eight hours after seeing your doctor see your doctor again.