Fever
This is a symptom and not a disease which can be triggered by following factors –
Exposure to heat or cold
Infection by polluted food Injury or swelling Coryza, Catarrh, Cough, Rhinitis Stomach infection
Diarrhoea, Dysentry or Constipation
Mother herself may be having fever.
Try to locate the precipitating cause which, when detected, will help in curing the child. Give 5 drops of Paracetamol liquid (Paed drops) after every 3-4 hours. This medicine is capable of suddenly bringing down temperature, hence do not increase dosage or reduce gap between two doses. Keep the child protected from heat or cold. In summer, apply cold compresses, dipped in fresh water (but never use ice-cubes, iced water or cold water bottle) over forehead only. When temperature has dropped down to normal, immediately stop cold applications. In winter, wrap the child with warm coverings and avoid exposure to cold. If some infection (like some injury) is also present, first of all treat the concerned injury.
Cold, Coryza, Catarrh, Cough
Exposure to cold is the chief factor that causes cold when initially there may be acrid flow from nose, falling of nasal water into back part of nose (Naso-pharynx), pain in throat, difficulty in respiration, congestion in chest. When the said symptoms are not treated, nose may get blocked due to deposit of thick mucus in the nose that may impede breathing and compel the child to breathe from mouth only. Sometimes, one nostril is blocked and there is thin watery flow the other nostril.
The child cannot cough up sputum which continues to block nose, throat and chest and there is often gurgling sound in the chest. First of all, wrap the child well with warm clothings and fully protect him from further exposure. If initial symptoms of cold are not immediately controlled, the child may develop bronchitis and if the latter remains untreated or taken care of late, It may assume form of Broncho-Pneumonia which is a far serious and dangerous symptom, capable of threatening life ofthe child.
Start with steam inhalation (if necessary add 1/8-1/10 Tsp of vicks vaporub) but protect the eyes and tender skin of face. Make sure the child is fully safe from the boiling water and does not sustain burns. Avoid using Vicks on in the nose, as it can irritate the mucus membranes and nasal skin. The child may, in addition, scratch his nose and touch the eyes with hands. But if the chest is congested and throat is also painful, apply Vicks Vaporub or any other such balm over chest, throat, sides and back side of chest. If infection is too serious and severe give 1/4 TSP (6-8 hourly) of Amoxyllin (Paed. Preparation) under medical guidance and supervision only.
Do not give Ampicllin to a child as it may cause loose motions.
To ease sore throat problem and loosen cough, give Tixylix (of Rhone Pulenc Co) 2.5 ml to children of 1 -2 years, 2.5 ml from 3-5 years, and 5 ml from 6-10 years – thrice daily. Last dose, at night, may be given with luekwarm water which will induce restful sleep. Do not exceed the stated dose.
Note: Cough could be dry (without phlegm) or wet (with sputum) and may cause vomiting of ingesta. In Coryza, there is running of thin mucus from the nose, while in Catarrh nose gets blocked, thick mucus adheres within the nostrils, causing impediment to free breathing process. Mothers of breast-fed children should not ingest any food item that could precipitate cough and other complaints.