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Home emergencies – how to handle a fever

It’s 3am and your 2 year old, who has been restless all night, wakes up howling. Her skin feels as though it’s burning up, so you grab your thermometer, and her temperature is 39 degrees. What do you do?

Why do we get fevers?

What most of us forget, especially at 3am, is that fever is an important part of our body’s defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 37 °C, so by cranking up the internal thermostat, your body is making it difficult for germs to get comfortable.

Many infants and children develop high fevers with minor viral illnesses. Although a fever signals that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for the patient, not against them.

When to lower a fever

Take steps to lower a fever if your child is uncomfortable, vomiting, distressed or not sleeping well. Remember, the goal is to lower, not eliminate, the fever.

Here’s what to do:

1. Firstly, remove excess clothing or blankets. The room should be comfortable, not too hot or cool. Try one layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket.
2. Then, a lukewarm facecloth on bare skin works well to bring down a raging temp, just make sure it is warmish and NOT cold. Besides, no-one really enjoys having a cold cloth put on them, and it can make the situation worse by causing shivering, which in turn raises core body temperature.
3. Finally, in children older than 3 months you can give an over the counter pain killer like Panado syrup, but stick to the recommended dosage.

Call your doctor if your child:

  • Is younger than 3 months old and has a temperature of 38 °C or higher
  • Is under age 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 24 hours
  • Is older than 2 and has a fever for longer than 48 hours
  • Has a fever over 40.5 °C
  • Has been having fevers come and go for a week or more, even if they aren’t high.

Kyle Boshoff for HelloDoctor.com

How does cold medication work?

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, ears and throat. It has symptoms that generally resolve within ten days.

Cold medications don’t “cure” or shorten your cold, but they can ease some symptoms. In most cases, getting plenty of rest and keeping fluids up can do the trick on their own.

Let’s look at commonly used cold remedies. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve symptoms, they include:

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help relieve a blocked nose. When it comes to decongestants, you can use drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you.

Expectorants: Help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Pain relievers: Ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines: These are a combination of the above. Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol. Be sure to check the label to avoid overdosing and taking other medicines that may contain paracetamol too.

Complementary medicines: Some may find vitamins (like vitamin C), mineral supplements (like zinc) or herbal medicines (like echinacea) helpful. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show they’re effective in helping to treat or prevent colds.

Antiviral medications

If you’re likely to suffer complications, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure your cold, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help:

  • Reduce the length of time you are ill by around 1 day
  • Relieve some of the symptoms
  • Reduce the potential for serious complications
  • Stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Read and follow the directions on medication labels carefully. If you’re not sure about something check with your doctor or pharmacist.

References:

Does your child have meningitis? Know the danger signs

Spotting meningitis can be tricky, and it can be easy for your little one to develop it without you knowing. That’s because the early warning signs and symptoms are almost identical to the flu.

Don’t worry though. By getting to know the signs and symptoms, you can ensure your child gets the right treatment before it becomes serious. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges; the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, and sometimes by illness and certain medication. It spreads like colds and flu, when someone who’s infected touches, kisses, sneezes or coughs on you.

Common signs:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Drowsiness.
  • A small appetite.
  • Confusion and disorientation.
  • Sensitivity to bright light.
  • Fever.
  • Headache.
  • Neck stiffness.

More severe symptoms include coma and seizure.

Watch out for these signs in toddlers: 


A refusal to be fed, irritable when picked up, a fever, and a bulging soft spot on their head, and moaning and crying.

Preventing meningitis is the best way to work against it. Remember, not every child gets the same symptoms and they can appear in any order.

Make sure your little ones wash their hands often with soap and warm water. Encourage this, particularly after using the bathroom; when they’ve been around other kids, and when they’ve been in contact with a sick person. Teach them not to share food, utensils and drinks with anyone who is, or has recently been, sick.

If you suspect your child or anyone else has meningitis, you should:

  • Take them to your doctor immediately.
  • If you can’t get there right away, call a doctor and describe the symptoms.
  • Go to the nearest emergency room if your doctor isn’t available.

Treatment


If a doctor suspects your child has meningitis, he will do tests. A sample from the spinal cord is usually taken. This can show signs of inflammation and infection due to a virus or bacteria. Blood samples may also be taken to check for bacterial infections in the blood. Sometimes, imaging of the head is done to check for swelling and inflammation around the brain.

There are two kinds of meningitis, viral and bacterial. Depending on which kind your child has, he’ll be treated a certain way.

Bacterial


Severe bacterial meningitis is very serious and must be treated immediately with antibiotics. It helps reduce the risk of complications like brain swelling and seizures. The type of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. The sinus may be drained if there’s a build-up of mucus and infection.

In some cases, doctors may give an antibiotic to someone who’s been around an ill person with bacterial meningitis to prevent them from developing the disease themselves.

Viral meningitis


Unfortunately, antibiotics can’t be used for viral meningitis, but mild cases usually clear up on their own. It can be treated with bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain medication.

References:

Do you have a viral rash?

A viral rash is, as its name suggests, caused by a virus. Like viral infections, viral rashes mostly affect toddlers and children. They generally look like splotches, red spots or raised bumps, but this can change, depending on the type of rash.

These spots can come on suddenly or develop over a few days. They form in many areas on the body or cluster together in a small section. Viral rashes often feel painful and itchy. Other common symptoms include:

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches

What causes a viral rash?

Viral rashes come from your immune system’s response to a virus or damage to your skin cells. For example, measles is a viral rash. It develops when your immune cells react to the virus when it moves through your bloodstream.

Immune cells release chemicals to kill the virus. These chemicals also inflame your skin, which causes a rash. Some viruses can bring on viral rashes. These are contagious and are spread through the air when you inhale saliva droplets through your nose or throat.

A few common ones include:

Chickenpox

Although there’s a lower risk for this viral rash due to available vaccines, some kids are still vulnerable to it. Symptoms include a fever, a sore throat and itchy spots all over the body. The chickenpox virus is contagious.

Shingles

This viral rash is a reactivation of chickenpox. It happens when the chickenpox virus travels down from your nerves into your skin. After this, the virus multiplies, causing a rash.

Fifth disease

This virus causes a splotchy red rash that forms on the face. It looks like a mark that would be left behind after a smack. Other symptoms include a fever and body aches. This virus normally spreads through saliva and is mainly found in children. A web-like rash may also spread on the arms, legs and other body parts.

Other viral infections like the Zika and West Nile virus are caused by mosquitos, ticks and fleas. These can also cause viral rashes.

How is it treated?

Viral infections are often not treated at all and are left to clear up on their own. Since antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, they can’t be used for a viral rash. Doctors may give you some medication to help relieve your symptoms.

Soothe the symptoms by applying a cool compress or calamine lotion to the affected areas. Do your best to avoid scratching your rash. Fever and aches can be soothed with over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.

References:

How to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth disease

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common contagious, viral illness that often affects infants and children, although it’s possible for older children and adults to contract it too. Don’t confuse HFMD with that similar-sounding disease that affects animals though!

What causes HFMD?
HFMD is a viral infection that’s brought on by the Coxsackie A16 virus. Although a different, related virus called Enterovirus 71 can also cause HFMD, it’s highly unlikely that there are other strains of viruses that will cause the same symptoms.

The virus is highly contagious and can spread directly via saliva drops or bodily fluids, or unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms
HFMD may cause some of these symptoms, or all of them. These include:

  • Fever.
  • Sore throat.
  • Painful sores on the hands and feet and inside the mouth.
  • A loss of appetite.
  • A general feeling of irritability and not being well.
  • A blistering, red rash on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and sometimes the buttock cheeks.

Am I at risk?
HFMD is more common among infants and toddlers younger than 10 and more often, those younger than five, especially in day-care and preschools. This is because the virus is more likely to spread through nappy changes and children putting their hands and feet in their mouths. Older children and adults can also contract HFMD.

How do I treat HFMD?
There’s no specific treatment for HFMD. The symptoms are treated separately to give relief and comfort, and usually clear up after two to seven days. The blisters and sores can last a bit longer. The symptoms often just run their course.

It’s recommended to treat the fever and sore throat by giving your child paracetamol and plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks as these can be painful on the lesions in your child’s mouth. Ice cubes and fruity ice lollies can relieve those painful sores. Let the blisters on the skin dry out naturally. Monitor the blisters and sores regularly to avoid them getting infected.

How do I protect my family against HFMD?
There’s no immunisation or vaccination against HFMD. The best you can do is to avoid the disease from spreading.

  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, especially after changing nappies.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, mouth and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact like hugging, kissing and sharing surfaces and utensils with someone who has HFMD.
  • If you or your child has HFMD, stay home from school or work until the symptoms clear up to avoid contaminating others.
  • Make sure your child’s day-care or preschool knows immediately, as other children might have been contaminated with the virus too.
  • Disinfect commonly shared areas like the bathroom and kitchen regularly.
  • Disinfect toys, blankets, bottle teats or dummies that might be infected with the virus.
  • Management at your child’s day-care or preschool should inform the parents when there is a case of HFMD.

Resources:

The 10 pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore

No matter how much you have read up on pregnancy, or how much advice you get from other pregnant moms, there may still be times when you worry about certain feelings and symptoms. But how do you know what’s “normal”, or when it’s time to see a doctor? Here are the main pregnancy symptoms that should set off alarm bells. If you experience any of these, call your doctor right away.

1. Pain in the lower belly 

Severe pain on either or both sides of your lower belly needs investigating. While you could have stretched a ligament, which is common during pregnancy, it could also indicate something more sinister, for example a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, premature labour or placental abruption.

2. Pain in the middle or upper tummy area

Sharp or severe pain in your middle or upper tummy, with or without nausea or vomiting, could be caused by severe indigestion, heartburn, a stomach bug, or food poisoning, which could be indirectly harmful to pregnancy. If you’re in the second half of your pregnancy this pain could also indicate pre-eclampsia, a serious condition which requires immediate medical attention.

3. Running a fever

If you have a fever with a temperature above 37.5 degrees C, but with no cold, flu or other symptoms, call your doctor within the day. If your temperature is more than 39 degrees C, call your doctor immediately, as you may have an infection which will need treating. If your temperature rises higher than 39 degrees C for an extended period of time it can be harmful to your baby.

4. Blurred vision and flashing spots

If you experience double vision, blurring, flashing spots, dimming or similar vision disturbances in the second half of your pregnancy, call your doctor straight away. These vision symptoms may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

5. Swollen hands and feet

Swelling or puffiness in your hands, face and eyes is common in late pregnancy, and in most cases it’s not a cause for concern. However, if your swelling is severe or comes on suddenly, with a headache or problems with your vision, you may have pre-eclampsia.

6. A headache that won’t go away

If a bad headache lasts for more than 2 or 3 hours, and you have vision disturbances and severe swelling in your body in the second half of your pregnancy, again, this could be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

7. Vaginal bleeding

Spotting or very light bleeding without pain is common in early pregnancy, and it may simply be what is known as breakthrough bleeding. Even so, let your doctor know if you bleed at any stage during your pregnancy. It may indicate a serious complication if it’s:

  • Heavy bleeding, combined with persistent back or abdominal pain
  • Bleeding that’s different from your normal period, i.e. darker in colour or lighter in flow than usual, together with severe, persistent, one-sided pain in your tummy
  • Sudden, painless bleeding, which can happen if you have a low-lying placenta (this will be seen at your 20 week scan)
  • Dark bleeding with clots

8. Fluid leaking from the vagina

If you are leaking fluid from your vagina before 37 weeks it may mean that your waters have broken early – let your doctor know. You should also call your midwife or labour ward to find what’s best to do if your labour doesn’t start within 24 hours of your waters breaking.

9. Sudden thirst

If you’re suddenly thirsty, and your urine is dark yellow, it could be a sign of dehydration. If you’re thirsty and urinating more often than usual it could be a sign of gestational diabetes. Both of these increase the risk of complications for you and your baby, so let your doctor know.

10. A burning sensation when I urinate

This may mean a urinary tract infection if you feel a painful or burning sensation when passing urine, pass cloudy, bloody or smelly urine, have a raised temperature and feel feverish, or experience pain. If you have any of these symptoms then see your doctor, so they can treat your UTI.

If you’re not sure about a symptom, or simply feel uneasy, trust your judgment and call your doctor. Remember, you can always talk to one of our doctors. Just sign up here if you’re not a member, or log in here if you are. We are here for you – 24/7/365!

Source:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore#ixzz2rCiyRP6S

When does flu become dangerous?

Are you prepared for the flu season? Find out what you should watch out for, and whether you’re at risk for complications.

What is Flu?

Influenza (flu) is a viral disease that develop very quickly, spreading through your upper respiratory tract and sometimes progressing to your lungs. It’s highly contagious and it’s spread through airborne water droplets (when someone coughs or sneezes) or through close contact with an infected person.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Flu?

General flu symptoms include a

  • fever
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • stuffy nose
  • cough
  • body discomfort

Certain, more severe strains of flu can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

How do I Treat Normal Flu?

Most mild flu symptoms improve over 2 to 5 days, but it’s normal to still feel run down for a week or so. Make sure you get plenty of rest, continue drinking fluids, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help reduce pain and fever.

Antibiotics aren’t prescribed for flu, as they have no effect on viral infections, however your doctor might prescribe antiviral medication if you’re considered high risk.

How do I Know if I’m High Risk?

People who are high risk include those who are over the age of 65, pregnant women, young children, or people who have been diagnosed with:

  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • A weakened immune system (for example HIV)
  • Chronic lung disease (for example COPD)
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

When Should I See the Doctor?

If symptoms persist for longer than 2 weeks, or if you develop any of these serious symptoms, it’s time to see the doctor:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Severe chest pain
  • Severe headache
  • Confusion or dizziness
  • Persistent vomiting

In the case of children, watch for rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, blue skin tone, refusing to take fluids, or if symptoms suddenly get worse.

How Can I Prevent Flu?

During flu season, wash your hands with warm water and soap every time you shake hands with someone or touch a surface that might be contaminated. Also, stay healthy by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, and taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. You can also get a flu vaccine, which is available from most pharmacies, and recommended if you fall into the high risk category.

Typhoid outbreak – what you need to know

There has been a recent warning that South Africans could face a Typhoid outbreak after the summer holidays. Hospitals and healthcare centers have been notified to be on high alert, since the Typhoid infections that started in Zimbabwe, could spread here when holiday-goers come back after their holidays.

via GIPHY

What is Typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever is an infection caused by a bacteria (Salmonella Typhi). It spreads easily through food and water contaminated by sewerage. You can also get it from someone who has the infection. It’s quite common in overcrowded areas with overcrowding & poor sanitation.

How do you get typhoid fever?

Typhoid is spread through the faecal-oral route. This means that the bacteria are found in the faeces (stool) of an infected person. You can get the infection from water, food or other objects that have been contaminated with the infected stool. If you eat/drink contaminated items or touch contaminated surfaces you will get the infection.

What are the symptoms?

Unless it’s treated, you can get these symptoms over a few weeks:

Week 1:

  • A step-wise fever: this means it gets higher over the day, and then drops by the morning again.
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Feeling tired
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash

Week 2:

  • Fever that stays high
  • A swollen stomach
  • Very bad constipation or diarrhoea
  • Weight loss

Week 3:

The person becomes very ill and confused. If he/she isn’t treated, this is usually when the infection gets worse, and complications happen, such as bleeding into the intestines and infection of the blood.

Week 4:

If the person has survived, their fever will start returning to normal this week.

People who recover from Typhoid can still carry the bacteria in their system, without being sick. The bacteria still spreads through their faeces, infecting others.

In 1900, there was a cook who worked in the restaurants in New York city. She infected more than 50 people during her cooking career, and was later called ‘Typhoid Mary’.

How do you get treated?

Luckily we can very successfully treat typhoid with antibiotics. If the infection is treated in time, you can be cured before life-threatening complications happen.

So how can I keep myself from becoming infected?

If you have plans to travel to a country where Typhoid is common – such as Zimbabwe – make sure that you have taken the vaccine. It should be available at your nearest travel clinic. Other than that – be sure to follow basic hygiene rules:

  • avoid ordering raw or unpeeled fruit and vegetables from restaurants
  • wash any fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating
  • make sure you wash your hands well after using the bathroom
  • wash your hands thoroughly before eating anything – even a snack

Remember: you may not be in touch with an infected person directly, but they touch many other things that you are in contact with: door handles, counters and cutlery. So be sure to wash your hands often.

Article adapted from original by Dr. Lynelle Hoeks

3 Vital secrets about flu

Winter is here! Warm clothes, an excuse to wear that scarf, hot chocolate and nights in front of the fire sound really great, and they are! However, it’s also the season when viruses declare war on your immune system. This year we bring you 3 key secrets to preventing and beating the nasty influenza virus.

1. Rest really is the best medicine

Do you think rest is for the weak? Guess again! Bedrest is one of the best weapons against the flu. The only way to beat the flu is to let your immune system do all the work. However, if you’re not resting, your body needs to fight the infection AND do whatever it is you’re doing. So it’s best to rest and speed up your recovery.

2. Try not to spread it around

Did you know that you can still pass on the flu virus even after the symptoms are gone? Yes, you’re still technically infectious for 5 – 7 days, even though you feel much better. What should you do for these few days? If your doctor has already booked you off, stay in bed so your body can fight the virus a little more. If you’re not booked off, ask if you can work from home or take another sick day. If you can’t, then don’t feel too bad if someone else gets sick, you did try your best.

3. Strengthen your immune system

If you want to prevent Flu, you need to make sure your immune system is strong. Even if you catch a cold, supporting your immunity can help that it doesn’t last too long.

Take about 1000mg of Vit C daily; make sure you get at least 6 – 7 hours of sleep a night, and try to stay fit throughout the winter. By moving, your blood pumps through your system, your immune-cells are more energised, and your internal ‘security’ is much more alert – catching the virus before it wreaks havoc.

So, are you geared-up and ready to tackle the flu this winter? If it hasn’t caught you yet, make a plan to get your flu-shot: you don’t want to spend your student-holiday in bed, now, do you?!

Don’t forget that you can contact our doctors anytime you want! You can ask them for advice on the flu, how to boost your immune system or how to take care of someone with the flu. All you need to do is subscribe to our Hello Doctor service. Visit the “Buy Now” to get started.

Source: sfdcp.org