A child’s behavior is more important than their fever for telling you when to worry. Children with viral infections usually feel better when their fever is reduced. Children with bacterial infections, especially pneumonia, usually continue to feel bad even if their fever is brought down.
Expect your doctor, dentist, nurse or therapist to wash their hands before they examine you.
Always wash your hands before eating or preparing food, and before breastfeeding.
Always wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing into your hand or after helping a child with a runny nose.
Soaps and detergents lift dirt, grease and germs and allow them to be rinsed away. Soaps have natural fats and oils whereas detergents are synthetic. Use plain soaps and detergents that do not contain antibacterial ingredients.
Fifty percent of children who have ear infections will still have fluid behind the eardrum after one month. This is not a reason to give antibiotics.
In patients with viral bronchitis, 45% still have a cough after two weeks, and 25% still have a cough after three weeks. Be patient; it takes a long time for your body to get over a virus.
A child should be examined by a doctor three months after an ear infection to make sure there is no fluid left in the ear as this may lead to hearing problems. There is no need to see a doctor immediately after an ear infection if the child is feeling better. As many as half of all children with ear infections still have fluid in the ear after one month. This is normal and will go away by three months in most children.
Decongestants and cough syrup often contain acetaminophen. Always check labels or ask your pharmacist for help to avoid overdosing.
Eighty percent of common infections can be spread by the hands. Handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of infections.