Posts for category: Child Health Care
Pertussis, more commonly referred to as whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial infection of the lungs. The nickname comes from the “whooping” sound that occurs when a child breathes. While many people assume that whooping cough is an infection that no longer exists, it’s actually more common in the US than we’d like to admit. In fact, pediatricians have seen an increase in the number of whooping cough cases over the last couple of decades.You might brush off the early signs of whooping cough because they look an awful lot like the common cold. Older children and teens may develop congestion, mild fever, cough, or runny nose; however, within the first 1-2 weeks you will notice that the cough gets worse. In fact, your child may develop severe and sudden coughing fits.
Children and newborns are more likely to display severe symptoms. They may not have a whoop in their cough, but they may vomit or show severe fatigue after coughing. While anyone can develop whooping cough, infants are at particular risk for serious and life-threatening complications so it’s important to have your family vaccinated.
While newborns are too young to be vaccinated against whooping cough, you should make sure that the rest of your family is fully vaccinated. The DTaP vaccine will protect against whooping cough and will be administered at 2, 4, and 6 months old, again at 15 to 18 months, and again at 6 years for a total of five doses.
If you suspect that your child might have whooping cough, you must call your pediatrician right away. Children under 18 months old may require hospitalization so doctors can continuously monitor them, as children are more likely to stop breathing with whooping cough. Of course, coming in during the early stages of the infection is important as antibiotics are more effective at the very start of the illness.
- Resting as much as possible
- Staying hydrated
- Sticking to smaller meals to safeguard against cough-induced vomiting
- Making sure your family is up to date on their vaccinations
ABC Pediatrics is here for you in McKinney, TX, when your child has a fever. Most parents automatically worry when their child has a fever and that's normal. A fever can be a symptom of many things! Read about fevers and call us for an appointment if you are concerned about your child's fever.
What is a fever?
Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees F. If your child's body temperature rises to 100.4 degrees F or above, they have a fever. Fevers happen when pyrogens are released into the body. These substances exist inside cells and are released into the body in response to infections.
A fever is a symptom like a runny nose or cough and is typically a sign that the body is fighting an infection. It can be scary to see your child's temperature skyrocket but it's really an indication that the body is working properly to fight infection and germs.
Some ways to lower a fever
There are a few things you can do at home to lower a child's fever, but you should always call your McKinney, TX, pediatrician if you are worried about a fever or it comes on with other symptoms.
There are some over-the-counter medicines available to lower a fever, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Doses are based on your child's age and weight, so follow the dosing guidelines.
If your child has a fever it's important to make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids. A bath in lukewarm water can help lower a child's body temperature. Keep taking your child's temperature and call your doctor if it continues to rise.
When to call a doctor
You should always call a doctor if you're concerned about a child's fever or unsure of the best measure to take. Call your pediatrician immediately if the fever has lasted more than 24 hours, is extremely high, or comes on with other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash.
If your child has a fever, the doctors at ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, TX, can help. Contact us at (972) 569-9904.
You’ve just received a call from the school: someone in your child’s class has head lice. We know that hearing that your child has or might have head lice can be stressful, but don’t worry. Your pediatrician can help guide you through the best methods for getting rid of pesky head lice once and for all.If you notice head lice in your child there’s no way around it: you have to treat the lice. They will not go away on their own. It might give you the heebie-jeebies but it’s important to find a treatment that will get rid of these little critters quickly. You should also check all members of your family to make sure they don’t have lice too, as this problem can spread quickly.
The good news is that you can often treat lice from the comfort of your own home. While there are certain hair salons that may cater to the treatment of lice, it’s worth it to try and treat the problem yourself. There are a variety of over-the-counter shampoos and rinses that can kill lice and their eggs (also known as nits). You may want to talk with your pediatric doctor about the treatment process, which products to use and whether or not you should reapply the shampoo or rinse days after the first application.
Still seeing lice? This is a literal head scratcher for some parents, but don’t worry. This is when a pediatrician can prescribe a much stronger treatment option such as shampoos containing benzyl alcohol, or lotions containing either ivermectin or malathion (both pesticides), or spinosad (an insecticide).
Since some of these products work differently from others, it is important that you read and follow all instructions. Some products will require more than one application while others will only require one. Again, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s lice treatment don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician.
Treating Your Home After Lice
The good news is that lice need blood in order to survive so they won’t live very long if they don’t have a human host. However, you will want to wash all bedding, towels and clothes that may have lice or nits on them. Make sure to wash them thoroughly in hot water that is higher than 130 degrees F. If you can’t wash these items immediately, promptly bag them until you can clean them properly.
Head lice can be annoying, but turning to a qualified pediatric doctor can help you get the answers you need to tackle this hairy little problem. Call your pediatrician to learn more.
How your pediatricians in McKinney, Texas can help when your child has an ear infection
Ear infections are a common condition for children and can make your child miserable. Your pediatrician can help your child feel better, and you will feel better too, knowing your child is in good hands. The pediatricians at ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, Texas offer comprehensive pediatric services, including treatment for an ear infection.
Children often develop ear infections because a child’s Eustachian tubes are narrow, and they can plug up easily, causing an ear infection. They can also stay plugged up because they don’t drain as easily.
Ear infections also happen when your child has a virus like a cold or the flu. Bacteria can spread to your child’s ears, causing the infection.
So, how can you tell if your child has an ear infection? There are several signs and symptoms to look out for, including:
- Frequently pulling and tugging on the ear
- Ear pain when your child lies down
- A fever of at least 100 degrees
- Fluid draining from your child’s ear
- Problems hearing and loss of balance
- Headaches and loss of appetite
- Crying and problems falling asleep
If you think your child has an ear infection, there are a few things you can do to get some relief. You can try:
- Giving your child Tylenol for pain
- Placing a warm, moist cloth over your child’s ear
Stubborn, chronic ear infections should be treated by your child’s pediatrician. When you seek out professional treatment for your child, your child can get better faster. Your pediatrician may recommend these treatments for an ear infection:
- Prescription antibiotics to treat the infection
- Placing ear tubes to help drain fluid from your child’s ears
Quick treatment for an ear infection can help your child avoid pain and protect your child’s hearing. To find out more about the treatment of ear infections, and other pediatric services, call the pediatricians of ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, Texas at (972) 569-9904. Call today!
You just got the call from your child’s school: someone in your kid’s class has chickenpox. This highly contagious virus isn’t usually anything to worry about, but it can certainly cause some very unpleasant symptoms for your child, including a terribly red and itchy rash all over the body and face. If you’re concerned about chickenpox, your pediatrician can tell you everything that you should know about this common childhood infection.
How can I tell that it’s chickenpox?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Body aches
- Loss of appetite
How is chickenpox treated?
- Applying calamine lotion
- Making sure that your child is drinking enough water and staying hydrated
- Soaking in a bath with baking soda for 20-30 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain
- Applying cold compresses to the rash
- Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (talk with your pediatric doctor first before giving your child any medication)
If your child is experiencing the typical symptoms of chickenpox, then chances are good that you won’t have to bring them into the office. The only thing you can do is wait. You should call your pediatrician if:
- Your newborn is showing signs of chickenpox
- Your child’s fever goes away and then comes back
- Your child has a high fever
- Some areas of the rash are getting larger or are painful (signs of infection)
The good news is that children today can be protected against chickenpox with a simple vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine is administered in two doses: the first vaccine is administered when your baby is 12 to 15 months and a second vaccine is administered at 4-6 years old.
If you want to protect your child against the chickenpox, then talk to your pediatrician about getting them vaccinated. Your child has enough to worry about, without chickenpox being one of them.