Page 52 - GreenBook
P. 52

• It feels like the foreign body is still present after removing.
      • Signs of corneal damage: continued tearing, blurred vision, eye pain or

            cloudy spot on the eye.

O. Fever
PLEASE CALL FOR ANY FEVER 100.4 OR MORE RECTALLY, FOR ANY
CHILD LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OF AGE.

Fever often is a symptom or sign of a viral or bacterial infection. It is NOT a
disease in itself and is usually the body's way of responding to and sometimes
warding off infection. Fever alone (even to temperatures of 105 degrees F) is
NOT in itself dangerous to your child. Seizures caused by fever are uncommon,
not dangerous and not related to the degree of fever.

Taking your child's temperature: You may take your child's temperature
rectally (usually recommended for infants less than 6 months old), axillary (under
the arm), orally or with a tympanic thermometer (ex. Thermoscan). When you
report your child's temperature to the nurse or doctor, report the exact reading
that you obtain and how you took it rather than adding or subtracting a degree.
If you are unsure about how to take your child's temperature please ask at one
of your well child visits. We will be glad to show you how to take your child's
temperature and read a thermometer.

Assessing your child: Does your child look sick? Is he/she alert, drinking and
having periods of active play when the fever is down? The general well being
of your child is more important than the degree of fever. What other symptoms
are you seeing?

Bring to our attention:
      • A child less than 3 months old with a rectal temperature of 100.4
            degrees or more.
      • A child with a fever for greater than 72 hrs.
      • A child with pain such as earache, facial pain, pain with urination,
            abdominal pain, stiff neck.
      • A child with a fever beginning more than 3-4 days after the onset of cold
            symptoms.

Treatment Of Fever:

      • Undress your child, so that his skin is exposed to the air and the body
            can lose heat. Let him/her go around in a T-shirt and diaper or
            undenvear; avoid heavy blankets and sleepers.

      • Give appropriate dose fever medication, see below.
      • Encourage your child to drink plenty of cool liquids. This will help to

            replace fluids lost due to fever.
      • Bathe in lukewarm water for 20-30 minutes if temperature is 103 or

               more. DO NOT SPONGE WITH ALCOHOL.

Medications For Fever:

      • CAUTiON: Given the association between aspirin and Reyes Syndrome

                                                                                                                                      51
   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57