Dealing with a sick child can be difficult, especially when they have needs that are generally not met with cookie-cutter solutions. At first sign of illness, a child must be assessed by the caregiver to determine whether the illness is something that will require medical attention from a professional.
Making sure to note any physical symptoms that can be determined through observation as well as any that the child is able to communicate is always recommended. Common problems that children will complain about are high fevers, headaches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, aches, diarrhea and vomiting. Any pre-existing conditions which can cause excess pain or complications can make soothing children a complex matter.
It is important to provide the child with medication as necessary to reduce their symptoms of their illness. For me children’s tylenol is a wonderful thing, but make sure you follow proper dosage so you don’t make them worse! The sooner that they are able to feel relief of their symptoms, the sooner they can rest and allow their body to recover from the illness. Generally, an illness can last anywhere from a few hours to several days or longer depending on the cause. Within this time frame, a child may be lethargic or unwilling to cooperate with necessary bodily functions such as eating or sleeping. Ensure that the child is properly hydrated and has a source of caloric intake that is of high nutritional value.
When dealing with very young children, ensure that they get a higher frequency cleaning of their diapers to prevent uncomfortable situations such as diaper rash, which will ultimately cause them to complain and cry more often from excess pain. Older children may be unable to make trips to the restroom on their own if they are fatigued, so ensure that they are able to relieve themselves without soiling their resting locations.
If the child has siblings, they may need to reduce their exposure to the ill child for two main reasons. First, the sibling may be able to contract the illness if it is a communicable disease. Second, the ill child may not be able to rest if their sibling is causing a stressful atmosphere. Additionally, sick children may generally be unwilling to play while they are ill so the interactions they may have can be unpleasant. The same can apply to hyper-active or loud family pets.
Maintaining positive interaction with the child while they are sick can help them to relax and get over their sickness in a shorter period of time.