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

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

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)

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

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

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. 

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

MEDICATION DOSING CHARTS