How to identify fever in children
It’s late at night and your child is crying. You check on him and feel his forehead. He’s burning up. What now? As Plano pediatricians and parents ourselves, we’re familiar with the anxiety that fever in children can provoke. Fortunately, most fevers indicate that your child’s immune system is functioning as it should,
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Pertussis, or “whooping cough”, is a highly infectious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It is a serious illness which can cause permanent disability or even death, particularly in very young children.
A cold or URI is a viral infection of the nose and throat. Cold viruses are spread from person to person by hand contact, and sneezing not by cold air or drafts. Healthy children get at least six colds each year. Usually, fever lasts up to 3 days, congestion and throat symptoms for one week,
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Scarlet fever is strep throat with a rash, caused by a toxin produced by some strep bacteria. The complication rate is no different than the complication rate for strep throat alone. The red rash usually clears in 4 to 5 days.
Recommendations for Scarlet Fever include:
Antibiotics:
Your child will be given a prescription for an antibiotic.
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An ear infection is a bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). The main symptom is earache and muffled hearing. A fever is present with almost half of ear infections, due to pressure and bulging of the eardrum fro trapped, infected fluid.
In 5-10% of children, the pressure causes the eardrum to rupture and drain yellow or cloudy fluid.
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Diarrhea is usually caused by a viral infection of the intestines, although occasionally by bacteria or parasites. Diarrhea usually lasts from several days to weeks, thus maintenance of oral fluid intake is imperative. Do not expect a quick return to solid stools. Follow these recommendations:
Encourage Fluids:
Infants- continue with formula or breast feeding unless instructed otherwise.
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Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), and windpipe (trachea).
There is a distinctive tight low-pitched barking cough with hoarseness due to swelling of the vocal cords.. A harsh, raspy vibrating sound (stridor) is heard when your child breathes in, usually only with crying or coughing. Symptoms usually last 5 to 6 days and generally get worse at night.
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