Q:	What do I do if my child has a fever?

A:	If the child is under 2 months of age, call the office. Encourage fluids, give Tylenol or Motrin (call if unsure of dosage). Do NOT bathe your child in cold water - this can cause increased chilling. Call the office if the fever persists, or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Q:	How do I get refills on my child's medication?

A:	Please do not call after hours - call during office hours only. Refill will be called in to a pharmacy or written for you to pick up (controlled meds). (Note: We will not routinely call in prescriptions for antibiotics)

Q:	What do you recommend if my child has diarrhea?

A:	Keep your child on their regular diet, except do not give juice or excessive amounts of fruit. Limit milk intake somewhat but encourage fluids. Call if diarrhea has blood in it, lasts greater than 10 days, is accompanied by a fever, vomiting, or your child acts sick.

Q:	What do I do if my child is vomiting?

A:	Do not give anything for 1 hour, then slowly offer sips of water, Gatorade, pedialyte or bites of popsicles. Once your child is tolerating clear fluids, offer bland foods, such as crackers, soup, or toast. Call the office if your child can't keep fluids down.

Q:	When should I start solid foods for my baby?

A:

You can start introducing solid foods around 4 months of age. Start with rice cereal (then try oatmeal or multi-grain cereals) and always feed your baby with a spoon. Do not put cereal in a bottle unless your doctor instructs you to do so. Next, you can introduce pureed (Stage 1) baby food starting with yellow or green vegetables (the favorites seem to be carrots, squash, sweet potatoes). Always introduce one new food at a time, every 4 to 5 days in case your baby has an allergic reaction. You can then choose a food from the fruit group; you do not need to introduce all the vegetables before adding fruit to their diet.

Q:	When can I introduce milk to my child?

A:

Your child should be 12 months old before introducing whole milk. Introduction to milk before this time may contribute to anemia and allergies. Skim milk and 2% milk should not be introduced until your child is at least 2 years old, as the extra fat content in whole milk is essential during this rapid growth period.

Q:	I think my school age child may have ADD (attention-deficit disorder)/ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). What should I do?

A:

Please call our office and speak to a nurse. We will send you a packet with instructions on what information you must obtain so our doctors can thoroughly evaluate your child and a pamphlet on understanding ADD/ADHD. Some of the information needed will include results from any achievement tests and educational testing, teacher observation, results from any psychological/intelligence testing, Connor questionnaire, and any recent grade cards. When you have gathered the requested information, bring it to our office so the doctors can review the information before your appointment. We will call you to schedule an appointment. At your appointment, the doctor will discuss your child's condition and possible treatment, and , if appropriate, the use of medication.

Q:	My child has croup. What should I do?

A:

Croup is characterized by a tight, barky cough that sounds much like a seal, and a hoarse voice. It is caused by a viral infection of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), and windpipe (trachea) and may last 5-6 days. It is often accompanied by a fever and your child is contagious as long as he is running a fever. Croup is most commonly seen in children under 7 years of age. The cough is generally more intense at night and the early morning. Sometimes a harsh, raspy, vibrating sound (strider) is heard when your child breathes in. This can often be relieved by running a hot shower and letting your child breathe in the vapors for 10-15 minutes, immediately followed by breathing in cold air. This can be accomplished by bundling your child up and taking them out in the cold night air or simply allowing him to breathe in the cold vapors of the freezer for 10-15 minutes. If these measures are not effective and your child continues to have strider or develops retractions (sucking in movement between the ribs with breaths or severe shortness of breath), you should contact the office immediately. In extreme cases, your child could become unable to breathe or turn blue. If this were to occur, call 911 immediately.

Q:	What do I do if my child has head lice?

A:

The Most important step in treating head lice is manual removal of the nits and eggs with a metal, fine-tooth comb. (RID sells the comb kit separate from the shampoo kits and contains 2 combs for removing nits and eggs.) The manual removal of the nits and eggs, although very time consuming, is crucial because many times the shampoo/rinse/etc. can not penetrate the nits and eggs. It is only effective in killing the lice. Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle exactly as instructed (many products require a second application 7-14 days later). All clothing, linens, towels must be washed in Hot water (140 degrees +), A thorough vacuuming of the house is necessary. Stuffed animals (and other non-washable items) should be sealed in large bags for 5-7 days. Family members should be checked daily and only treated if there is evidence of lice. You may, however, try a "natural" preventative approach by applying regular mayonnaise (low fat or non-fat is ineffective) to hair and scalp (place shower cap over head and leave on for 2-3 hours). It supposedly suffocates lice. Notify your child's teacher and/or school nurse to prevent the spread of reinfestation.

Q:	How do I treat my child's sprain/strain injury?

A:	Elevate the affected limb and apply ice for 24 hours (ice the area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off). Give Motrin or Advil (anti-inflammatory); dosage based on child's weight.

Q:	What do you recommend if my baby is constipated?

A:	Try using a rectal thermometer to stimulate a bowel movement. If this is unsuccessful, you can try 1-2 oz. Warm water twice a day for several days (to increase motility). If the baby's abdomen looks distended or the baby is extremely fussy, call the office.