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Calling for help is a natural impulse when your child is sick. One of the hardest thing for any parent to figure out, is when to call the doctor.
What can wait until office hours?
What can I do now to help my child?
Of course, following information IS NO substitute for a doctor’s care or advice, but hopefully, you may find some useful tips to help your child while you can arrange your visit with the doctor. In some situations, you might find information on this site will help you. We will continue update with more items to help our familie. This is not a guideline for life-threatening emergencies that require a 911 call.
Common Colds
Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not cure viruses. Transmission is by hand-to-hand contact, sneezing, coughing. The virus is shed from the nasal discharge. People are contagious
a day or two before the onset of symptoms and for an average of 7 to
10 days. Colds are not caused by cold air, drafts, or swimming. Some
newborns sound stuffy on and off, but there is no nasal discharge. They
are having dried mucous developing in the nasal passage which can be
cleared with salt water drops and bulb syringing. Infants under about 4
months must breathe through their nose and sucking can become difficult
with a cold. They may be at risk of becoming dehydrated
if they are not feeding well. Most children get about six to ten colds
per year. The frequency is higher if the child is in daycare, has
siblings in school or is around a lot of other children. If a child is chronically congested
(more than two or three weeks), allergies or sinusitis may be present.
A foreign body placed in the nose may cause a one-sided foul smelling
thick runny nose. Discuss these possibilities with your doctor if the
runny nose is more than 10 to 14 days or if you suspect a foreign body
in the nostril. Most colds last 7 to 10 days. Fevers usually last less
than 3 or 4 days. The cough is usually the last symptom to go away (sometimes up to 2 weeks). Nasal discharge can
be clear, white, yellow or green. It is often more colored in the
mornings or after a nap. Sometimes at the end of the cold, the
discharge is more green. The color alone does not necessarily mean an infection that requires antibiotics. Milk does not usually need to be eliminated with colds, unless allergies are being suspected.
Patient need to be seen by doctor right away if
1, Breathing is difficult and does not improve with suctioning of the nose, especially in a young infant under 4 months is becoming dehydrated because of inability to feed or vomiting feedings.
2, Nasal discharge is more than 10 to 14 days, especially, if the child appears to be getting worse Skin under the nose becomes scabbed/crusted Yellow eye discharge.
3, Earache or very sore throat, fever more than three days, or having difficulty eating because of stuffiness in infant under 4 months.
4, Suspicion of a foreign body in the nose
1, Runny nose with lots of discharge. For young infants, use a bulb syringe to clear the secretions. It is especially helpful before a baby nurses or takes a bottle. Use a humidifier at night. Cool mist humidifiers are safer than steam vaporizers because of the risk of a curious toddler burning himself with the steam. Elevate the head of the crib or bed. This is best done in cribs or bassinets by placing a pillow or phone book underneath the mattress. Never place infants on pillows.
2, Stuffy nose with little discharge. Warm nose drops with a solution of salt water (use 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) or purchased saline drops can be placed in each nostril. This will often help to break up the mucous and the child can then be suctioned with the bulb syringe. In an older child they can be told to blow the nose after the drops have been in for a minute. Use the humidifier at night.
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