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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. â€‹

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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 medications. 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

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

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