How to Keep Your Cool When Your Child is Hot
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Your child is restless, feverish and generally out of sorts. All signs point to a day home from school. Sick days are no fun for a child who is waylaid by an illness. They can also be a source of anxiety for parents who have to figure out what's wrong with their child and take steps to provide care and comfort. You should be prepared for the times when your child is ill so you'll know how to best handle the situation and when to involve a doctor. The makers of the Exergen TemporalScanner™ offer these sick day suggestions.
Fever Care
Fevers can be one of the more scary symptoms of a childhood illness, particularly because parents equate a very hot child with immediate danger, such as a seizure. But fevers are actually the body's natural reaction to fighting an infection as its internal thermostat is raised as part of a natural defense mechanism.
Taking your child's temperature is a part of fever care. The gold standard in temperature measurement used to be a glass rectal thermometer, but as every parent knows, taking a temperature rectally is often met with resistance and is an invasive process, particularly when your son or daughter is resting. The Exergen TemporalScanner is a temporal artery thermometer with accuracy comparable to a rectal thermometer but much more gentle and convenient. Simply run the TemporalScanner across the forehead to record body heat emitted from the temporal artery directly beneath the skin on the forehead. The advantage to this thermometer is that it can accurately read temperatures in a convenient, quick and non-invasive way. You can even check your child's temperature while he or she is sleeping. The convenience offered by the Exergen TemporalScanner has led to its increased use in pediatrician's offices and hospitals across the country. Available at Babys "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Costco and Sam's Clubs around the country, Exergen is now offering a $5 factory rebate with purchase. Details are available at www.exergen.com.
With fever, children can also experience body aches and chills. You can make your child more comfortable by making sure he or she has plenty of warm blankets -- but don't over-bundle as this can prohibit fever reduction. If your child is very uncomfortable with fever, pediatricians often recommend taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®). When the fever breaks, your child may be sweating. Change his or her clothing frequently and provide plenty of beverages for hydration. Your pediatrician will let you know the temperature that should be of concern or prompt a call to the office.
If your child has had a fever for a few days with no signs of improvement, consult his or her doctor as fever could be the symptom of a more serious condition.
Talk to Your Child's Doctor
When you bring your child into the doctor's office for his or her next checkup, come prepared with a list of questions. Ask the doctor what medications are best to keep in the house for treating minor illnesses. Some over-the-counter cold and cough remedies have recently been re-evaluated for safety by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and may no longer be recommended. Discuss whether to use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain or fever reduction. Also inquire as to what illnesses or symptoms warrant an after-hours office visit or a trip to the emergency room. Having this information handy will help you to feel more reassured if your child does become sick.
Provide Distraction
Sick kids are usually crabby kids. To make the time spent at home as enjoyable as possible, provide your child with some distractions. Relax home "rules," allowing him or her to watch some favorite television shows. If your child feels up to eating, serve meals in bed or on the sofa. Keep a pile of recreational items, such as books, puzzles, magazines, and favorite music by the bedside.