SickKid.Net - A Parent's Guide to Minor Illnesses and Injuries, Page 2

SickKid.net is your health information network with resources and directories. Our pediatric boy’s, girl’s height weight growth charts and articles on minor illnesses, first aid and nutrition help you with your sick childcare needs, when you need it most.

If this is a possible life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 immediately.

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Care for an Injury with R.I.C.E.!

If your child has a minor strain or sprain, it can be painful, but you may not need to head to the emergency department immediately. Instead, try R.I.C.E.

Rest - As soon as your child complains of pain, make sure he or she rests the injured joint or muscle.

Ice - To avoid swelling, apply ice (wrapped in a towel to avoid frostbite) to the injured area in 20-minute sessions every 3 to 4 hours for the first 24 hours.

Compression - Wrap the injured area firmly with an elastic compression bandage, found at your local drugstore.

Elevation - Raise the injured area on pillows or cushions to prevent swelling.

A Parent's Guide to

Minor Illnesses and Injuries

Inform Yourself About Illnesses

Illnesses that cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and abdominal pain are common in childhood. In most cases these symptoms of illness don't indicate an emergency, but you should always call your child's doctor if you are concerned about your child's health. If you feel your child needs immediate medical treatment, don't hesitate to head to the nearest emergency room.

Fever: A fever is a symptom of an illness, not a disease itself. When taken orally, a normal temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Many doctors consider a fever to be a temperature higher than 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your baby is under 1 month old, call your child's doctor if your baby's rectal temperature goes above 100.4 degrees, even if he or she doesn't have other symptoms. If your baby is 1 to 3 months old, call your child's doctor if your baby's temperature is 101.4 or higher or if your baby has had a temperature of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours. If your child is older than 3 months, call your child's doctor if the fever rises above 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit or if your child has a fever for more than 3 days. If your child is 3 months to 2 years of age, call your child's doctor if your child's fever rises over 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be used to lower a child's fever. Never give aspirin to a child because it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Use the weight and age guidelines on the product packaging, and never give your child more frequent doses than recommended by the manufacturer unless instructed by your child's doctor. Other remedies for fever include having your child rest quietly in a cool room and offering plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.

If your child has symptoms such as behavior changes, severe headache, stiff neck, irritability, stomach pain, high-pitched crying, earache, lack of hunger, or a rash in addition to fever, call your child's doctor right away.

Ronald A. Christensen, M.D., Medical Advisor

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