Nursing sick infants & young children is mainly common sense & knowing when to call for professional help.
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!i! If in doubt, seek medical advice.
!n! Infectious diseases & common ailments of infants are detailed in their own sections, with an outline of treatment where appropriate.
Typical day-to-day symptoms may include:
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fever or raised temperature
difficulty breathing (possibly {asthma})
{vomiting}
{diarrhea}
excessive drowsiness
irritability
abdominal pain
sore throat
earache
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FEVER: A temperature in isolation can be treated for 24hrs with acetominophen or {paracetamol}, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage. If in doubt, seek competent medical advice.
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!b! DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE - IT IS DANGEROUS.
!n! Tepid sponging helps to lower a temperature but must be done correctly. Use water which is at blood heat (similar temperature to baby's bath). With a sponge, wash forehead, trunk, abdomen & legs. If high temperature persists, seek competent medical advice.
DIFFICULTY BREATHING (ASTHMA): Rarely diagnosed early enough, indications of {asthma} are:
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persistent cough, particularly at night (no runny nose)
wheezing, particularly at night
family history of {asthma}, or hay fever
history of infantile {eczema}
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Always seek medical advice, learn the technique of using inhalers & when to give medicine.
A good tip for a child who suffers from {croup} is to put them in a steamy atmosphere.
Run a hot bath & sit with the child in the bathroom breathing the steamy air. This has a soothing effect & can encourage sleep when the coughing fit has subsided. Similarly a vaporizer can be placed in the bedroom, but !b! in a safe place where a child cannot reach it. !n!
