Stomach Flu (Vomiting and Diarrhea)
Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is common in children.
Your child might have nausea, vomiting (throwing up),
diarrhea, or all three. Your child might also have a fever.
Gastroenteritis is usually caused by a virus and will get
better in 1 to 3 days. The most important thing you can
do to help your child is to give fluids (water, Jell-O, 7-up,
broth, Pedialyte, etc.). If your child vomits, wait 2 hours,
then give a tablespoon of fluid. If there is no vomiting
after 15 minutes, give another tablespoon, and continue
to give small amounts frequently. Pay attention to be
sure he or she is urinating (peeing) at least 3 times per
day. This means your child is getting enough fluids in
his or her system. Don’t give
anti-diarrheal medicine unless a
doctor tells you to. Your child
will probably sleep more than
normal. This is ok. Keep your
sick child home from daycare or
school until any fever, vomiting,
or diarrhea has been gone for at
least 24 hours.
Cough
Medication Dosing and Fever Charts
If your child has a cough, a humidifier can help lessen
the cough and loosen secretions (mucous). If you don’t
have a humidifier, sitting in the bathroom while the
shower is running can help, also. If your child has a wet
cough (coughing up mucous), don’t give cough medicine
unless a doctor tells you to. If your child over 6 years of
age has a dry cough (not coughing up mucous), you may
give cough medicine, but follow the instructions on the
bottle carefully. For younger children, call your doctor
for cough medicine dosage instructions.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Sore Throat
If your child has a sore throat, give him or her soft
foods, like ice cream, applesauce, and Jell-O. Older kids
may have popsicles (these are a choking hazard to
young children). Don’t give your child citrus juices or
foods that may scratch or irritate the throat. Give Tylenol or Motrin if needed for pain.
Earache (Otitis Media)
Constipation
Constipation, or being unable to poop, can have
several causes. Infant formula can be a cause in babies,
and poor diet and lack of fluids can make young children
constipated. Bowel habits vary, with some children
defecating several times each day, and others going
every 2 to 3 days. Keep track of your child’s bowel
movements. If your child is constipated, he or she might
be fussy, complain of a tummy ache, or pass hard, dry
stool. Talk to your doctor if your baby’s formula is
causing constipation. Encourage your toddler or child to
exercise, drink lots of water and other fluids. Feed your
child foods high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, and
whole grains. Giving a little prune juice (1-3 oz.) can
help constipation (children over 6 months old). Taking a
rectal temperature can help stimulate a bowel
movement in babies. Most pharmacies sell rectal
suppositories and baby enemas for occasional severe
constipation. Ask the pharmacist for help if you have
questions.
Earaches are common in children who have colds.
Your child may cry and pull or rub one or both ears. For
an earache, have the child lie the aching ear on a warm
(not hot) towel. Give Tylenol or Motrin to ease the pain,
and encourage your child to drink lots of fluids. Don’t
give your baby or toddler bottles or sippy cups while
lying in bed, as this can cause ear infections.
Pink Eye
A child with pink eye will have one or both eyes red
and swollen. There is usually a green or yellow crust on
the eyelashes and around the eye. Wipe your child’s
eyes with a separate clean cotton ball with cool water
every 1 to 2 hours while awake. Pink eye is easily
spread to other people, so wash your hands well with
soap and water afterwards. If your child has red, swollen eyes for more than a day, make a clinic appointment
to see your doctor or medical provider, and keep your
child home from school or day care until a doctor says it
is ok. If your child complains of eye pain or a change in
vision, see your doctor right away.
5 mL (milliliter) = 1 tsp (teaspoon)
Give every 4-6 hours, as needed, and not more than five times in 24 hours
unless directed by a health care professional.
Child’s
Weight in
pounds and
Age
6-11 lbs;
0-3 months
12-17 lbs;
4-11 months
18-23 lbs;
12-23 months
Infant
Drops
160 mg/5
mL
consult a
physician
2.5 mL
( ½ tsp)
3.75 mL
(3/4 tsp)
Children’s
Liquid
160 mg/ 5
mL
5 mL
(1 tsp)
5 mL
(1 tsp)
2 Tablets
36-47 lbs;
4-5 years
48-59 lbs;
6-8 years
7.5 mL
(1 ½ tsp)
10 mL
(2 tsp)
3 Tablets
4 Tablets
2 Tablets
60-71 lbs;
9-10 years
12.5 mL
(2 ½ tsp)
5 Tablets
2 ½ Tablets
72-95 lbs;
11 years
15 mL
(3 tsp)
6 Tablets
24-35 lbs;
2-3 years
Children’s
80 mg
Tablets
Children’s
160 mg
Tablets
2.5 mL
( ½ tsp)
3.75 mL
(3/4 tsp)
3 Tablets
Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
Give every 6-8 hours, as needed, and not more than four times in 24 hours
unless directed by a health care professional.
Child’s
Weight in
Pounds and
Age
Infant
Drops
50 mg /
1.25 mL
6-11 lbs;
0-6 months
12-17 lbs;
6-11 months
18-23 lbs;
12-23 months
24-35 lbs;
2-3 years
consult a
physician
1.25 mL
Children’s
Liquid
100 mg/
5 mL
Children’s
50 mg
Tablets
Children’s
100 mg
Tablets
1.875 mL
5 mL
(1 tsp)
2 Tablets
36-47 lbs;
4-5 years
7.5 mL
(1 ½ tsp)
3 Tablets
48-59 lbs;
6-8 years
10 mL
(2 tsp)
4 Tablets
2 Tablets
60-71 lb;
9-10 years
72-95 lbs;
11 years
12.5 mL
(2 ½ tsp)
5 Tablets
2½
Tablets
3 Tablets
6 Tablets
* Medication dosages courtesy of www.willowspediatrics.com
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Give every 4-6 hours, as needed, and not more than four times in 24 hours
unless directed by a health care professional.
Child’s
Weight
Benadryl
Chewable
12.5 mg
22-32 pounds
Benadryl
Liquid
12.5 mg =
5 mL;
5 mL =
1 tsp
¾ tsp
33-43 pounds
1 tsp
1 chewable
44-54 pounds
1 ½ tsp
55-109
pounds
110 pounds
and up
2 tsp
Benadryl
Capsules
25 mg
Benadryl
Quick
Dissolve
Strips
25 mg
1 ½ chewable
2 chewable
1 capsule
1 strip
4 chewable
2 capsule
2 strips
Fever Chart
It’s best to check a rectal temperature on children from 0-3 years of age. An
axillary (armpit) temperature can be taken, but it may not be as accurate. An
axillary temperature is usually 2 degrees cooler than a rectal temperature, and 1
degree cooler than an oral temperature.
Child’s Age
0-3 months
3 months- 3 years
Over 3 years
Rectal
Temperature
(children
0 – 3 years)
Oral
Temperature
(children 3 years
and older
Normal Temperature
98.5-100.3
98.5-100.3
100.4 or higher
(call doctor)
100.4 – 102.5
102.6 – 105.9
97.5 – 99.3
103.1 – 104.9
106.0 – 108.0
105.0 – 107.0
Low-grade Fever
(don’t give Tylenol or Motrin unless
needed)
Moderate Fever
(give Tylenol or Motrin, call clinic if
temperature doesn’t decrease in 2
hours)
High Fever
(give Tylenol or Motrin and take to
clinic or hospital if temperature
doesn’t decrease in 30 minutes)
99.4 – 103.0
Put the number for Poison Control
in your phone in case your child drinks or eats something
harmful, or might be poisonous. They will be able to tell
you what to do to help your child.
1-800-222-1222
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When to call your doctor
or take your child to the clinic:
White patches in the back of the throat
Cough that lasts longer than 7 days, or a cough with
thick green or brown mucous
Fever lasting over 5 days (rectal temp over 100.4°F)
Vomiting or diarrhea not getting better after 3 days
No urine (pee) in 12 hours
Pulling at the ear for 2 days, or blood/pus coming
from the ear
Red, puffy eyes with yellow or green crust for more
than 1 day
Injury with pain and swelling after 2 days, but no
visible deformity
Crying with no tears
Cold not better after 10 days
Crying or screaming for over 3 hours
Emergencies:
Take your child to the hospital or call 911
Can’t wake your child up, or child is extremely weak
Blood in the vomit or in the diarrhea / stool
Child drooling and won’t swallow
Difficulty breathing, gasping for air, or chest heaving
with breathing
Temperature over 106° (rectal) or 105° (oral) that
won’t come down with Tylenol or Motrin
(temperature over 100.4° in child 0-3 months)
Excessive bleeding, or bleeding that won’t stop after
applying pressure to area for 1 hour
Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
Injury with bone popping through skin, obvious
deformity, or child refuses to use extremity
Head injury with loss of consciousness, vomiting, or
a change in your child’s behavior
Baby has bulging or sunken soft spots on head
Parents,
Having a sick child can be frightening. It’s good to know that
most childhood illnesses are viral and will go away on their
own, with time and without medicine. If you still have questions after reading this pamphlet,
please call the clinic or hospital at
(208) 527-8206.
Caring for
your sick child
Colds
Fever—How Your Child’s Body Fights Infection
Colds are caused by a virus (germ) and usually last 1
to 2 weeks. There is no medicine to make a cold go
away. Your child might have a stuffy or runny nose,
cough, fever, earache, sore throat, and body aches. He
or she may be tired and sleep a lot, and not want to eat
or drink. Let your child sleep if he or she is tired.
Fluids are important, so try to get your child to drink
enough so he or she is urinating (peeing) at least 3 to 4
times a day. If your child has a fever, you should keep
him or her home until the fever has been gone for 24
hours.
You can give your child Tylenol or Motrin to help
with a fever or aches and pains. If your child is having a
difficult time breathing through their nose, you can use
saline nasal wash, a bulb syringe (to suck out the
mucous), or Benadryl to make the nose less stuffy. For
sore throat, earache, and cough, check out the tips on
the inside of this pamphlet.
Children have fevers often while they are young. A
fever is not a sickness, but is a response to something.
Fevers can be caused by germs (viruses and bacteria),
teething, immunizations, or from getting too hot. A fever
is a response to an infection, and isn’t necessarily bad.
Don’t give your child Tylenol or Motrin for a low grade
fever, unless they need the medicine because they are
hurting or don’t feel good. If your child has a fever, try
removing some clothing or blankets. A cool cloth on the
forehead can help, too. Give your child cool drinks, ice
cream, or popsicles (older children). A warm bath is ok,
but never place your child in a cold bath or shower.
Placing your hand on a child’s forehead won’t tell you
how high a child’s temperature is. All parents should have
a thermometer in their home
and know how to use it. A rectal
temperature of 100.4 or higher
is a fever. If your child has a
fever, and you need to give Tylenol or Motrin, remember that it
takes up to 2 hours for the medicine to fully work. In the meantime, try some of the tips above.
Things to keep on hand for the next time your
child is sick:
Thermometer
Tylenol or Motrin, Benadryl
Electrolyte solution (Pedialyte, Gatorade, etc.)
Lost Rivers Medical Center
551 Highland Drive
Arco, ID 83213
Phone: (208) 527-8206
www.lostriversmedical.com
Ginger Ale or 7-Up, Popsicles, Apple juice
Saline nasal wash, Baby bulb syringe
Humidifier, optional
Diaper rash medicine
Seizures
Seizures can be a frightening side effect of a fever for
young children. Some seizures cause the child’s body to
jerk, while some seizures can make the child appear to
pass out. If your child has a seizure, turn him or her
onto their side, and don’t put anything in your child’s
mouth. If the seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes, call
911, or have someone help you take your child to the
hospital.