Caring for a sick child
By Morris Green, M.D.
All parents try to keep their children healthy. But in spite of all
efforts, a child is bound to become ill occasionally. Suddenly, for no
apparent reason, the child has a high fever, has an earache, or
complains of a stomachache. The child may catch chicken pox or some
other communicable disease.
When your child becomes ill, keep calm. Remember that most children
quickly bounce back to normal after an ordinary illness. It is quite
natural for a child to worry about not feeling well. The child may be
listless and irritable. Be sympathetic, but not unduly so. If you look
grim and anxious, your child will react to your obvious anxiety by
becoming even more upset.
Before you call your doctor, be prepared to answer questions and give
certain information about your child’s condition. Take the child’s
temperature before calling the doctor, and tell the doctor whether you
used the thermometer orally or rectally. The doctor will want to know if
the child has a rash, a sore throat, swollen glands, or aching muscles.
Report rapid breathing or any other symptoms that you think are serious.
Any clues you can give the doctor about your child’s condition will help
with the diagnosis and prescription.
Explain that getting plenty of rest and doing what the doctor says will
help your child get well soon. Be reassuring. If your child is seriously
ill and must be confined to bed for a time, usually it is a good idea to
explain enough about the illness to lessen any fears a child may have.
Do not burden your child with all the details, but do not lie, either.
Making a sick child comfortable. Ideally, the sickroom should be a
room that is easily reached from any other part of the house and from
which you can hear your child call you. Keep the room uncluttered,
softly lighted, and well ventilated. Ideally, room temperature should be
kept between 68° and 72° F. (20° and 22° C). At this temperature, the
child will not need heavy blankets to stay warm.
Give your child sponge baths and wash only one part of the body at a
time. Keep the rest of the child’s body wi’apped in a large towel to
prevent chills. Be sure to dry the skin thoroughly.
Giving medicine to the child. Your child may balk at taking
medicine, especially if you indicate by words or facial expressions that
it tastes bad. The best way to give medicine is to be matter-of-fact. If
the child continues to fuss, mix the medicine with some fruit juice. If
the medicine is a pill, crush the pill and mix it with a spoonful of
jelly, honey, or syrup in order to make it easier for the child to
swallow.
Always follow your doctor’s instructions. If you have any questions, be
sure you understand the doctor’s answers. Write down the times you are
to give your child medicine and any instructions about diet and special
treatment. Keep all medicine out of your child’s reach. Never give the
child medicine that is left over from a previous similar illness without
consulting your doctor.
Some day-care centers and child-care providers will accept children who
have colds or other mild illnesses. These facilities and care
providers usually have an area set aside for these children so that
other well children will not be exposed to the illness. Some hospitals
provide daytime care for sick children of working parents. For a fee,
parents can drop their children off at the hospital in the morning. The
children are cared for during the day by professional caregivers. Then
the parents can pick up the children after work.
When the child goes to the hospital. Sometimes it is not possible to
care for a sick child at home. The child may need an operation, or the
illness may be so serious that the child requires hospitalization. Most
children become concerned if they must go to the hospital. Usually, it
is anticipation and uncertainty that worries children—not the actual
experience. Even when they do not seem concerned, they may have many
anxieties about being in the hospital.
It is wise for parents to prepare children for hospitalization by
telling them what to expect from the time they enter the hospital to the
time they are ready to go home. If you are not familiar with hospital
procedure, take the time to find out. Many hospitals provide this
information in brochures. A prehospitalization visit may also be
possible. The child will accept the situation better if convinced that
you know about the place and that he or she will be well treated while
there. Do not promise the child that the hospital stay will be an
enjoyable experience. On the other hand, do not stress the possibility
that it may be unpleasant. Be as matter-of-fact as possible.
You need not go into great detail, but you can describe those parts of
hospital procedure that are usually most reassuring to a child. For
instance, you can mention the name bracelet that the child will wear
while in the hospital. If possible, you should stay
with your young child during the hospitalization. If this is not
possible, you can tell the child that nurses will be there to help when
help is needed.
Children who are going to have surgery can be told that they will fall
asleep before the operation and wake up after the operation.
School-age children who are accustomed to spending time away from the
family and who adjust easily to new situations may look forward to the
hospital stay as a new adventure. It may not, however, be so simple for
preschoolers. In spite of knowing what to expect, they may become
frightened if the parents are not there with them. If parents leave,
preschoolers may feel that their parents are deserting them at a time
when they need the parents most. Very young children may not be sure
that their parents will return. If it is impossible for you to stay, a
hospital staff member should be present during your leave-taking. Your
child will feel less abandoned if someone is at hand to provide comfort
and cuddling after you leave. Never slip away without telling your child
that you are leaving, but you will come back again.
Help your child select one or two favorite toys to take to the hospital.
Take the child little surprises when you visit. Visit and call your
child as often as you can so that the child feels loved and missed.
While your child is recovering, whether after returning from the
hospital or from an illness at home, you can make the recovery less
tedious. See that the child has enough suitable toys, games, and books
to keep busy. If school has been missed, ask the teacher for work that
the child can do at home. Then set aside time for study periods when you
have the time to help the child study.
