Table of Contents
Acknowledgement
5
The Purpose of this guide
7
Hand washing
8
Not All Bugs are Created Equal
9
Use Antibiotics Wisely
10
Fever
12
Cold / Runny Nose
15
Flu (Influenza)
18
Sore Throat
20
Ear Ache
22
Cough
25
Sinus Infection
28
3
Name of the student: Muhra Hamed Ahmad AlZuabi / School: Albateen School – 3rd Grade.
4
Acknowledgment
In 2007 Health Authority – Abu Dhabi launched “Abu Dhabi Poison
Prevention Poster Contest K-5th Grades” in collaboration with Abu
Dhabi Educational Zone.
The contest carried the theme “Advocating judicious use of
antibiotics” and aimed at shedding light on a serious problem
that threatens our health and the health of our kids and the new
generations that is the irrational use of antibiotics.
Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use is the principal strategy for
combating the emergence of antibiotic resistance, and this is possible
through the non-antibiotic strategies described in this booklet.
We would like to thank all those students who contributed their
beautiful artworks and tried to voice their opinion about this problem.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Abu Dhabi
Educational Zone as their assistance made this contest a reality.
Special thanks to HA-AD staff who worked hard to finalize this
booklet.
Finally, thanks to “Do Bugs Need Drugs” Program – Canada for
providing us with the educational material of this booklet.
Health Authority- Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates
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Name of the student: Mariam Muhammed AlSuwaidi / School: Albateen Scientific Private School
- 2nd Grade
6
The Purpose of this guide
To help parents cope with common childhood infections such as colds, flu,
sore throats, earaches and other respiratory tract infections.
Remember
• Hand washing is the best way to stop the spread of respiratory tract infections.
• Both viruses and bacteria cause respiratory tract infections, but antibiotics
only work against bacteria. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
• Use antibiotics wisely to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics
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Hand Washing
Hand washing is the best way to stop the spread of respiratory
tract infections. 80% of common infections are spread by hands.
❃
When to wash your hands:
•
•
•
•
•
•
❃
Before meals
Before breastfeeding
After using the toilet or helping your child use the toilet
After changing diapers
After blowing your nose or wiping your child’s nose
After playing with toys shared with other children
How to wash hands:
•
•
•
•
Use soap and water. Washing with water alone does not get rid of germs
Wet your hands
Apply soap. Do not use antibacterial soap
Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds (or the time it takes to sing
“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
• Rinse your hands for 10 seconds
• Dry your hands with a towel
❃
What you should do:
• Expect doctors, dentists, nurses and therapists to wash their hands before
they examine you or your child
• Make sure soap is available in the washroom of your child’s school and
your workplace
• Make sure that childcare sites have places for adults and children to wash
their hands
• Use regular soap. Antibacterial soap is not needed because it promotes
bacterial resistance
• Teach by example
8
Not all Bugs are Created Equal
Both viruses and bacteria cause infections, but antibiotics only work
against bacteria.
❃
Viral Infections:
• Include colds, flu, croup, laryngitis, chest colds (bronchitis) and most sore
throats
• Are more contagious than bacterial infections (If more than one person in the
family has the same illness, odds are it is a viral infection.)
• Can make you just as sick as bacterial infections
• Usually get better in 4-5 days but it might take as long as three weeks to fully
recover
Antibiotics do not work against viruses
❃
Bacterial Infections:
• Are less common than viral infections
• Do not spread as easily from one person to another as viral infections
• Cause infections such as pneumonia and strep throat
Antibiotics do work against most bacteria
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Use Antibiotics Wisely
❃
What Is Antibiotic Resistance:
• Using antibiotics when they are not needed (for example for colds and flu) can
lead to antibiotic resistance.
• Bacteria have “antibiotic resistance” when they cannot be killed by an
antibiotic.
• Remember, it is the bacteria that are resistant - NOT YOU! Even very healthy
people who have never taken antibiotics can become infected with antibiotic
resistant bacteria from other sources.
❃
What you should do:
• Do not expect to get antibiotics for every respiratory tract infection. Most of
these infections are caused by viruses and antibiotics will not work.
• Let your doctor decide if an antibiotic is needed and which antibiotic is best.
• Be patient when you (or your child) have cold symptoms, cough or a sore
throat. Most viral illnesses will take 4 - 5 days before getting better and up to
3 weeks for a full recovery.
• Always wash your hands after being with someone who is sick. Remind others
to wash their hands.
Avoid a battle with SUPER RESISTANT BUG. Use antibiotics wisely!
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Name of the student: Omran Ali Hasan / School: Muhammed Bin AlQasem for Basic Education School
– 3rd Grade
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Fever
❃
What is fever?
Your child’s temperature depends on where it is measured.
Method
❃
Your child has fever if
his/her body temperature
equals or is higher than
Fever
• Helps the body fight infection
• Occurs with most respiratory tract infections
• Can occur with both viral and bacterial infections
❃
Treatment
• Give acetaminophen also known as paracetamol (Adol ®, Panadol®,
Tempra®, Tylenol® , Calpol® or generic brands).
• Do not give ASA (Aspirin).
• Keep child cool but do not allow your child to shiver.
• Dress your child in lightweight clothing and keep room temperature about 20° C.
• Offer cool fluids or popsicles to your child every hour when awake.
Tip: When fever is reduced in children with viral infections, they usually feel
better. Children with bacterial infections still feel miserable even when their
fever is brought down.
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❃
See the doctor if your child has a fever and:
• Is less than six months of age
• Fever lasts more than 48 hours and does not go down when acetaminophen
is given.
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Has a rash
• Has diarrhea and vomiting
Acetaminophen (Adol ®, Panadol®, Tempra®, Tylenol® , Calpol® or generic
brands) is recommended to reduce fever and pain in children. Do not give aspirin
products (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA, Aspirin®) as they can increase the risk of
Reye’s Syndrome, a serious condition that can damage the liver and brain.
• It is important to keep these drugs locked in a cupboard that is child – proof.
• Check the package label to find out how much medication your child needs
• Do not give children acetaminophen products that are made for adults. Some
products for adults and older children may contain too much acetaminophen
for a younger child.
• Consult with the pharmacist
or physician to find out the
right dose for your
child’s weight or age.
Your child’s behavior, rather than the fever, is
more important for letting you know when to
worry.
Go to the emergency department if your child
has a fever and any of the following symptoms:
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Limp or unable to move
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or
unresponsive
• Stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Seizure
13
14
Name of the student: Shamma Sageer Muhammed Rashid Almansouri / School: Alkhitm for Basic and Secondary Education School / girls
– 3rd Grade
Cold / Runny Nose
Colds are caused by viruses. There are about
200 different viruses that cause colds. Children
can get 8 - 10 colds per year. Adults get fewer
colds because they have built up immunity
against some of the viruses. Antibiotics do not
work against cold viruses.
❃
Prevention
• Wash your hands to prevent spread of viruses.
• Teach your children to wash their hands.
• Wash toys that are shared with others.
❃
Symptoms
• Runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, cough and,
at the beginning, headache, fever and watery eyes.
• Fluid from the nose is clear at first but turns thick yellow or green within 2 - 3
days. This does not mean it is a bacterial infection.
• Children might have a cough, which is worse at night.
• A cold usually lasts for 4 - 7 days. It might take as long as three weeks to fully
recover.
❃
Treatment
• Offer plenty of fluids such as water or juice. Warm clear fluids such as soup
will help the nose to drain.
• Give acetaminophen for fever (see “Fever”).
• Allow your child to get plenty of rest.
• Use salt-water (saline) nose drops to treat stuffiness and cough, especially for
infants and toddlers (1-3 years). Use commercial salt-water drops or spray
or make your own.
• A decongestant or cough syrup might help symptoms but will not shorten the
length of the cold.
Note: Decongestants and cough syrup might also contain
acetaminophen. Read labels carefully and check with your pharmacist
to avoid overdosing.
• To prevent infecting others, caregivers should wash their hands often.
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See your doctor if. . .
• Fever returns or symptoms worsen 5-10 days after first becoming sick.
• Yellow or green nasal discharge lasts longer than 10 days.
❃
Salt Water Drops
125 ml (4 oz or half cup) warm water
¼ (one quarter) tsp table salt
• Mix well.
• Prepare fresh every day.
• Position child so that head is slightly back.
• Use a medicine dropper to put 1 - 2 drops in each nostril.
• Repeat 4 to 5 times per day.
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17
Name of the student: Hamda Ismail Abdoullah Almansouri / School: Albateen Scientific School – 2nd Grade
Flu (Influenza)
Influenza or flu is caused by a virus. Adults with the flu can spread the virus to
others for 3-5 days after symptoms begin. Children with the flu can spread the
virus to others for up to 7 days. The “flu season” usually starts in November or
December and ends in April or May. Occasionally the flu might lead to
pneumonia.
❃
Prevention
• Consult with your family doctor to see if a flu vaccination is right for you.
• Wash your hands, especially after you are with someone who is sick. Teach
your child about hand washing.
• Teach your child to cough into a tissue. Throw away used tissues
promptly.
❃
Symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
❃
Fever / chills
Headache
Feeling tired / body aches
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough / sneezing
Treatment
• Offer plenty of fluids such as water or juice. Warm clear fluids such as soup will
help the nose to drain and will relax the airways.
• Allow your child to get plenty of rest. Keep your child at home for the first few
days of illness to rest and to prevent spread to others.
• Give acetaminophen for fever, headache and body aches (see “Fever”).
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❃
See your doctor if. . .
• Fever lasts more than 3 days.
• Child has a fever plus a rash.
• Child is coughing up green or yellow discharge for more than 10 days.
Go to the emergency department if your child
has any of the following symptoms:
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Limp or unable to move
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or
unresponsive
• Stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Seizure
19
Sore Throat
A sore throat often comes with a cold. Most sore throats are caused by viruses.
An antibiotic will not help a sore throat caused by a virus.
Some sore throats are caused by bacteria called
Streptococcus. Strep throat most often occurs during the fall
and winter, in children between the ages of 5 and 12.
Your doctor cannot tell if a sore throat is strep throat just by
looking at it. A throat swab will show whether the sore throat
is caused by bacteria or a virus.
• If the sore throat is part of a cold, it is most likely caused
by a virus and a throat swab is not needed.
• Your doctor might take a throat swab to show whether the sore
throat is caused by bacteria or a virus. The test results are usually ready
within 48 hours.
• If the test results are negative, the sore throat is likely caused by a virus.
Antibiotics will not work.
• If the test results are positive, your doctor might decide to prescribe an
antibiotic.
• Other family members do not need to be tested unless they are sick.
❃
Symptoms
• Pain in the throat, pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Swollen glands in the neck
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❃
Treatment
• Offer plenty of fluids such as water or juice. Warm clear fluids such as soup
make the throat feel better.
• Give acetaminophen for pain and fever (see “Fever”).
• For children six years of age and older and adults, throat lozenges may relieve
symptoms. Younger children should not be given lozenges because of the
danger of choking.
• For older children and adults, gargling with warm salt water will make the
throat feel better. Mix half tsp salt with 250 ml (8 oz or one cup) warm water.
Gargle for 10 seconds. Spit out salt water and repeat. May be done 4 - 5 times
per day.
• Your child can go back to normal activity when feeling better.
❃
See your doctor if. . .
• If the sore throat continues for 2 - 3 days with no other symptoms of a cold
such as watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose.
Go to the emergency department if your child
has any of the following symptoms:
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Can not swallow
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Ear Ache
A special tube called the Eustachian tube
connects the middle ear and the back of the
throat. The tube is narrow in young children so
it can become blocked, especially with a cold.
This blockage can lead to a bacterial infection.
Antibiotics might be prescribed for an ear
infection, but 70-80% of children who have an
ear infection will get better without an antibiotic.
❃
Prevention
• Wash your hands frequently and teach your
child about hand washing since most ear
infections occur after a cold.
• Avoid exposing your child to second hand smoke.
• For children with allergies, avoid exposure to irritating substances.
• Do not give your child a bottle to drink while lying down.
❃
Symptoms:
• Fever
• Ear pain
• Irritability
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❃
Treatment:
• Give acetaminophen for pain and fever (see “Fever”).
• Place a warm cloth over the outside of the ear.
• Antihistamines and decongestants do not help an ear infection.
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics after examination of your child’s ears.
• If your child has had many ear infections within a short period, your doctor may
recommend surgery to put tubes in the ears to help the ears to drain.
• Because of the risk of antibiotic resistance, it is no longer recommended to
give antibiotics for prolonged periods to prevent ear infections.
❃
See your doctor if. . .
• Your child is less than 6 months of age
• Your child is between 6 and 24 months of age and is not getting better after 24
hours
• Your child is over 2 years of age and is not getting better after 3 days
• Has a loss of balance
• Has swelling and redness behind the ear.
Go to the emergency department if your child
has any of the following symptoms:
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Limp or unable to move
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or unresponsive
• Stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Seizure
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Name of the student: Sara Ati Salem Salem / School: AlfateH School – 2nd Grade
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Cough
Most coughs in children and adults are caused
by viral infections of the respiratory tract. The
respiratory tract looks like an upside down
tree.
Infections of the respiratory tract are named
according to the part that is affected.
Antibiotics do not help coughs caused by
viruses. Occasionally a cough might be due to
pneumonia. In this case antibiotics are usually
given.
Illness
Site
Age Group
*Refers to individuals with otherwise healthy lungs
❃
Symptoms
• Fever, cough and chest pain.
• Coughing up mucus that may be yellow or
green. This does not mean it is a bacterial
infection.
• Wheezing might occur in some children.
Note: With viral bronchitis, 45% of people still
cough after 2 weeks. 25% of people still cough
after 3 weeks.
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Cause
❃
Treatment
• Offer plenty of fluids such as water or juice. Warm clear fluids such as soup will
help relax the airways.
• Allow your child to get plenty of rest.
• Use a cool mist humidifier.
• Cough suppressants and decongestants may help older children and adults
but should be used with caution in younger children. Ask your pharmacist for
help in selecting the right medication.
• Cough drops may help older children and adults. Cough drops should not be
given to children less than six years of age because of the risk of choking.
• For pneumonia, a chest x-ray is recommended and antibiotics are usually
prescribed.
❃
See your doctor if. . .
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Cough is associated with vomiting
• Your child is very ill (especially after 2-3 days) and does not want to eat or
drink
Go to the emergency department if your child
has any of the following symptoms:
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Limp or unable to move
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or
unresponsive
• Stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Seizure
26
27
Name of the student: Khalid Muhammed Saeed / School: Muhammed Bin AlQasem for Basic Education School
– 3rd Grade
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
The sinuses are air filled spaces around the nose and eyes. Sinusitis occurs
when fluid builds up in the sinuses. Both bacteria and viruses can cause sinusitis
(viruses are up to 200 times more common). Sinusitis most often occurs after a
cold but most colds do not lead to bacterial sinusitis. The symptoms of sinusitis
are more severe and last longer than a cold.
❃
Symptoms
• Facial pain or pressure, headache, toothache, feeling tired, cough, fever.
• Blocked nose with yellow or green nasal discharge that lasts for more than 10
days.
❃
Treatment
• Give acetaminophen for pain and fever (see “Fever”).
• Use salt water drops or spray to help relieve nasal congestion (see “Cold”).
• Decongestants can relieve stuffiness but will not shorten the length of the illness.
• Use a cool mist humidifier.
28
❃
See your doctor if. . .
• Fever develops again, 5 - 7 days after a cold begins.
• Cold symptoms worsen, 5 - 7 days after the cold begins.
• Yellow or green nasal discharge lasts longer than 10 days.
• Constant facial pain
Note: Cold symptoms that reoccur and are associated with a clear discharge,
indicate a new cold, not sinusitis. A visit to the doctor is not needed - follow treatment for a cold.
Go to the emergency department if your child
has any of the following symptoms:
• Fever and swelling around and above the
eyes
• Trouble breathing not caused by a stuffy nose
• Blue lips
• Limp or unable to move
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or
unresponsive
• Stiff neck
• Seems confused
• Seizure
29
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does
not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by Health Authority – Abu
Dhabi in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
“Do Bugs Need Drugs?” is a community education program about the wise use of
antibiotics. The Parent Guide was developed in partnership with Capital Health,
the Toward Optimized Practice program of the Alberta Medical Association, the
Alberta Lung Association, and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Do Bugs Need Drugs? is funded - in Canada - by Alberta Health and Wellness and the British Columbia Ministry of Health. CANADA
www.dobugsneeddrugs.org
30
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Our Vision
The Health System of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is comprehensive; encompassing
the full spectrum of health services and is accessible to all residents of Abu
Dhabi. The system is driven towards excellence through continuous improvement,
and monitored for achievement of targets. Providers of health services are
independent, predominately private and follow highest international quality
standards. The system is financed through mandatory health insurance.
Our Mission
Ensure reliable excellence in healthcare for the community
Our Values
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Commitment to the Community We Serve
Pursuit of Excellence and Continuous Improvement
Respect & Compassion
Integrity
Accountability
Collective Wisdom of Teamwork &
Collaboration
Contact Us
Health Authority – Abu Dhabi
Health System Compliance Division
Tel: 800800
Fax: +9712-4449822
P.O. Box 5674 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Website : www.haad.ae
Did you find this booklet useful? Let us know your feedback.
E-mail us at : [email protected]
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