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NURSE LINE FAQs

** IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPERIENCING AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911 - IF YOU HAVE URGENT CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE **

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STREP THROAT

STREP

SYMPTOMS

  • Rapid onset

  • Pain with swallowing

  • Fever

  • Red and swollen tonsils

  • Swollen lymph nodes

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DO NOT INCLUDE:

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  • Cough

  • Runny nose

  • Hoarseness

  • Pink eye

HOME CARE

  • Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever or severe throat discomfort*

  • Push fluids and soft foods (ex. cold drinks and milk shakes)

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SORE THROAT RELIEF

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OLDER THAN A YEAR:

Sip warm fluids

Give a spoonful of honey

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OLDER THAN 8 YEARS:

Gargle using warm water and table salt.

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*See dosing chart below

COME IN IF

  • Sore throat pain is severe and not improving after 2 hours of pain medication

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  • Your child is younger than 2 years old

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  • A widespread rash develops

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  • An earache or sinus pain develop with a fever

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  • You call and a medical assistant recommends a visit

INFLUENZA

FLU

SOURCES: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION & "PEDIATRIC TELEPHONE PROTOCOLS" BY BARTON D. SCHMITT, M.D., F.A.A.P. 

SYMPTOMS

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting or diarrhea

HOME CARE

  • Gently suction or blow nose to remove nasal discharge

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  • Push fluids

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  • Use a humidifier

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  • For fevers above 102 degrees or pain relief, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen*

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*See dosing chart below

COME IN IF

  • Child exhibits difficulty breathing, retractions, wheezing, or rapid breathing

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  • Dehydration is suspected

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  • Child develops an earache, sinus pain, or sore throat

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  • Fever lasts longer than 3 days

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  • You call and a medical assistant recommends a visit

PINK EYE (CONJUNCTIVITIS)

PINK EYE

SYMPTOMS

  • Pink or red color in the white of the eyes

  • Swelling

  • Increased tears

  • Itching, irritation, burning

  • Discharge (pus or mucus)

  • Crusting of eyelids or lashes

  • Feeling that there is something in the eye

HOME CARE

  • Cleanse eyelids with warm water and a clean cotton ball

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  • Use artificial tears

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  • Remove contact lenses

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COME IN IF

  • Outer eyelid is very red

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  • Eye is swollen or painful

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  • There is constant tearing or blinking

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  • Child's vision is blurring

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  • Child is sensitive to light

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  • You call and a medical assistant recommends a visit

RSV

RSV

SYMPTOMS

  • Runny nose

  • Decrease in appetite

  • Coughing

  • Sneezing

  • Fever

  • Wheezing or apnea

HOME CARE

  • Manage fever and pain with acetaminophen or ibuprofen*

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  • Push fluids

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  • Remove contact lenses

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  • Use a humidifier

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*See dosing chart below

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COME IN IF

  •  Child has difficulty breathing

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  • Child is considered high-risk

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  • Ribs are pulling in with each breath (retractions)

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  • Child exhibits severe wheezing or rapid breathing

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  • Lips or face are bluish 

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  • You call and a medical assistant recommends a visit

FEVER

Fever

FACTS

  • Fevers are a temperature of 100.4 F or higher​

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  • Temperatures below 100.4 F are normal

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  • Fevers are harmless and often helpful

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  • Fevers help the body fight infection

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  • Fevers of 100.4 - 102 F are low grade fevers.

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  • Fevers of 104 F or higher are high fevers. They are not harmful, even though they are called "high"

COME IN IF

  • Fever is higher than 105 F​

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  • Child exhibits shaking chills

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  • Pain is suspected (frequent crying)

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  • Child is 3-6 months with a fever higher than 102 F or with a low fever combined with other symptoms

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  • Child is 6-24 months with a fever higher than 102 F for over 24 hours with no other symptoms

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  • You call and a medical assistant recommends a visit

HOME CARE

  • Fevers only need to be treated if they cause discomfort, which does not usually occur until they are above 103 F. ​

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  • Start medication for fevers higher than 102 F. 

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  • Treat fevers with one medication. Either acetaminophen or ibuprofen (See medication charts below for dosing information). It is often unnecessary to alternate medicaitons; remember, they help the body fight infection.

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  • With medication, most fevers come down about 2 degrees F. They do not usually go back down to normal. When the medication wears off, the fever often returns. This is normal.

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  • If your child's doctor tells you to treat fevers differently, follow their advice. 

OUR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ARE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

SOURCES: THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION & "PEDIATRIC TELEPHONE PROTOCOLS" BY BARTON SCHMITT, M.D., F.A.A.P.

MEDICATION DOSING CHARTS

DOSNG
REMEMBER TO Read and follow the label on all MOTRIN products Take every 6-8 hours as neede

OUR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ARE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

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