Fever – Fever is described as a temperature greater than 100 F and is a symptom, not a disease. Fever is the
body’s normal response to infection and plays a role in fighting infections. Fever turns on the body’s
immune system. Most fevers are caused by viral illnesses and antibiotics are not used to treat viral
infections. If the doctor determines that your child has a bacterial infection, then most generally an
antibiotic will be prescribed for the infection, not the fever. In general, the height of the fever doesn’t relate
to the severity of the illness. Home care ‐ encourage extra fluids and light clothing (unless the child is
shivering), acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) or ibuprofen (generic Advil) can help lower the fever, and
lukewarm sponge baths. Never give aspirin or aspirin containing medications unless instructed by your
physician. Please read the label before giving any medication. Some may contain aspirin such as Pepto‐
Bismol. Several studies have linked aspirin to Reye’s syndrome. Contact your physician when: the child
complains of a stiff neck (bring chin to chest), difficult to awaken, purple spots on the skin, breathing
difficulty, cannot swallow, burning or pain upon urination, severe pain, tender abdomen, bluish lips, fever
is over 105 F, any fever that lasts 24 hours without an obvious cause or location of the infection, any fever
lasting more than 72 hours, previous history of febrile seizures, or any other concerns or questions.
Chicken Pox – Multiple small red bumps that progress to thin‐walled water blisters, break open and then
scab over within 24 hrs. New sores erupt as older ones scab over. A fever usually accompanies the illness.
The child is contagious until all sores are scabbed over. Home care – cool bath, calamine lotion, nonprescription
antihistamine such as Benadryl, acetaminophen for fever or discomfort (no aspirin containing
products because of the link with Reye’s syndrome), trim fingernails to prevent scratching and infection,
good hand washing with antibacterial soap such as Dial or Safeguard.
Otitis Media (middle ear infection) – A bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the
eardrum). The pain is due to pressure and bulging of the eardrum from trapped, infected fluid. Antibiotics
are the course of treatment. Even if your child feels better in a few days, continue to give the antibiotics as
prescribed. A follow‐up exam is usually indicated in 2 to 3 weeks.
Otitis Externa (swimmer’s ear – external ear infection) – Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the skin lining the
ear canal. The symptoms include: painful ear canals, pain when the earlobe is moved up/down, pain upon
pushing the area just in front of the ear/along the jaw line. The key to prevention is keeping the ear canal
dry when your child is not swimming by turning the head side to side and pulling gently on the ear lobe to
allow the water to run out. Antibiotic eardrops are indicated for treatment. Preventative eardrops for
swimmer’s ear are usually indicated for recurrent problems.
Pinkeye – Redness of the sclera (white part of the eye), yellow drainage (sometimes eyelids are matted
together upon rising in the a.m.), and itching or burning. Prescription antibiotic eye drops are the course of
treatment. Bacterial eye infections are very contagious and spread easily. Your child will be contagious and
not allowed to attend school until after 24 hours of treatment. Good hand washing is important to prevent
the spread of infection to the other eye and other children or family members.
Fifth Disease (Hawaiian Blush) – Bright red or rosy rash on both cheeks that lasts for 1 to 2 days (“slapped
cheek” appearance). There is no fever or a low‐grade fever. The rash on cheeks is followed by pink lacelike
rash on extremities that comes and goes several times over 1 to 3 weeks. The rash may come and go for up
to 5 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure. The disease is contagious during the
week before the rash begins; therefore a child who has the rash is no longer contagious and does not need to
stay home from school. Inform any women who are pregnant that may have been exposed. Home care –
no treatment is necessary. The rash is harmless and causes no symptoms that need treatment.
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