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Frequently Asked Questions
On Diarrhea
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My child was vomiting last week and still has diarrhea, what should I do? |
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When a child has had a stomach virus, they often experience diarrhea much longer than the actual vomiting, sometimes as long as two weeks following an infection. Many of these viruses damage the lining of the intestine, adversely affecting the child’s ability to digest certain foods, thereby causing diarrhea. As the intestines heal, digestion will improve and the diarrhea will slowly resolve. The best way to treat diarrhea initially is with a little modification in the child’s diet… the BRAT diet stands for bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast. A bland diet could also consist of dry cereals, plain pasta, or even some plain crackers. These items are generally easy to digest and may help bulk up the stools, reducing the severity of the diarrhea. Dairy products are not ideal foods following a vomiting/diarrhea illness because lactose is usually one of the last things the body recovers the ability to digest. As the diarrhea slowly improves, gradual reintroduction of milk products may be attempted. |
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Will an Electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte help my child’s diarrhea? |
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Depends. Electrolyte containing solutions (such as Pedialyte) are clear liquids and as such, will not help stop diarrhea (and actually have very little influence on the consistency of the stools). If your child is actively vomiting, clear liquids are more easily absorbed, are less likely to induce further vomiting, and may help prevent dehydration. If your child is no longer vomiting but is having frequent bowel movements (>8/day), these electrolyte solutions will help replace the salts that are lost in vomiting and diarrhea. If your child is having loose stools, but only having 3-4 bowel movements a day, electrolyte solutions are not going to be helpful, except as a thirst quencher. Always, Pedialyte and the related electrolyte solutions are better than Gatorade, because sports drinks contain more sugar and less salt than the electrolyte solutions. |
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On Influenza
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What is the Flu? |
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People often use the term “flu” to describe many different illnesses. Medical professionals use the term “flu” to describe the illness caused specifically by an influenza virus. The flu is characterized by cough, congestion, sore throat, headaches, body aches, and fever and sometimes vomiting. In general, the flu causes more severe symptoms than a cold, including a higher fever. The flu often leads to secondary infections, such as pneumonia, especially in the very young and the elderly. Children considered at higher risk of developing complications of the flu are those less than 6 months of age, as well as children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or congenital heart disease.
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My child’s runny nose has been thick and green,… does that mean he/she has a sinus infection? |
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No. Most colds will go through a purulent phase, when the nasal secretions appear thick and green. This often occurs at the beginning and the end of colds, and in the morning, when the nasal mucosa tends to be drier. Sinus infections will also produce thick nasal secretions, but are usually associated with sinus pain or pressure. |
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How can I protect my child from the flu? |
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The flu is contagious, and can spread quickly through a daycare, household, school or community. Minimizing your child’s exposure to other sick children is helpful. Frequent hand washing during flu season is also a good idea. If your child is older than 6 months of age, he/she would benefit from receiving the flu vaccine. All children between 6 and 23 months of age, or any child with a chronic medical condition should receive the flu vaccine. Additionally any household contacts of these high risk groups should receive the flu vaccine. Because children below the age of 6 months can not receive the vaccine, it is strongly encouraged that parents and other household contacts receive the vaccine to prevent the baby from being exposed. |
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How can I tell the difference between a cold and the flu? |
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Generally, children with the flu act much sicker than children with a cold. All of the symptoms tend to be more severe with the flu. The flu usually causes a higher fever, often 104 or higher. Colds rarely go above 102. The fever of a cold usually occurs in the beginning of the illness and lasts only a couple of days. The fever of the flu lasts throughout the course of the illness, often 5 to 7 days.
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Is there a treatment for the flu? |
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Because the flu is caused by a virus, it does not respond to antibiotics. Many of the over-the-counter cold medications are also helpful in treating flu symptoms. Additionally, Tylenol or Ibuprofen is often necessary to alleviate symptoms of pain and fever.
Reading Pediatrics does not recommend the use of cold/flu products that combine decongestants or cough suppressants with fever reducers, such as Tylenol or Motrin. Combination products may mask symptoms of fever and may result in over-dosing of fever reducers if subsequent doses of Tylenol or Motrin are given. Of course, pushing fluids to prevent dehydration, and encouraging your child to get plenty of rest are always good ideas. Humidifying the air in their room may help with the congestion.
In some instances, your doctor may prescribe an anti-viral medication. Although these medicines do not cure the flu, they can help to shorten the course of the illness, if started within the first few days of the illness. |
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Should my child receive the flu vaccine? |
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Yes. Reading Pediatrics advises giving the flu vaccine to all children, older than six months of age. “High risk” children include those below the age of 2 years, and any child with a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease… as well as their household contacts! |
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