First time parents are usually sufferers when their child contracts even the most common of diseases. They feel they are too inept to handle the situation and fear that their baby’s health is something beyond their capabilities. Suddenly, their life becomes disrupted and stressed, all because they lack the basic understanding of the illnesses that beset their child.

In view of this, the following information about two of the common childhood illnesses may serve as your guide in managing and preventing them. However, this is not recommended to replace your pediatrician’s advice but only to aid you in coping with certain situations and become a more effective source of medical information to your child’s pediatrician.

Abdominal Pain– This is a chronic or recurring disease among infants lasting for about three months. The most common cause is the inability of the nursing infant to pass out air, hence the logic behind burping a child after each feeding. Burping techniques vary and it would be best for you to ask help from an experienced member of your family on how you could properly help your baby release the air in his or her tummy. In fact, falling asleep after each feeding without being burped is one of the most common reasons why babies cry incessantly.

In older babies or toddlers, a common cause for their abdominal pain is constipation, as they tend to lack appreciation in drinking sufficient amounts of water. However, take note of the following symptoms that may accompany your baby’s abdominal pain: Fever, diarrhea, blood in the stools, unusual urinary color and smell, decreased appetite, paleness, signs of fatigue and weight loss. You should not wait until all of these symptoms appear before seeking the help of a pediatrician.

Fever– You must keep in mind that fever is not the illness but is a symptom of an illness. According to medical studies, fever may arise from a viral infection or bacterial infection. There is a difference between these two types of infection as far as medication is concerned. Viral infections do not require antibiotic treatment but bacterial infections often do.

Below is a list of what you should note in case your child is with fever and therefore imperative that you seek medical intervention:

·  The child with fever is less than 6 months, regardless of his or her thermometer readings.

· Your child is older than 6 months and the body temperature is higher than 39.50 degrees Celsius or 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

· Your child is older than 6 months and the temperature does not exceed 39.50 degrees Celsius or 103 degrees Fahrenheit but has been persistent for more than 3 days.

· Your child’s fever may have passed but he or she continues to be pale, unwell, or weak.

In order to lower your child’s fever, a proper dose of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, taken at proper intervals will help make your child feel better. Giving a lukewarm sponge bath and dressing a child in light airy clothes can help bring the temperature down. However, keep the feet warm with socks, as they tend to be cold due to poor blood circulation.

In giving your child medications, you should keep in mind the following important information:

· An over dosage of Acetaminophen or even Ibuprofen should be avoided. Take care not to administer these medicines for more than a week. Ibuprofen is a relatively new medication and is considered as safe as Acetaminophen, but the latter has been proven to cause liver damage if given in excessive dosages.

· Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are available in combined formulations with decongestants and cough remedies, and are not considered as safe substitutes for fever relief.

· Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid is not a recommended treatment for children.

Fever accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rashes, difficulty in breathing and notable changes in color and odor of stools and urine are indications that your child may be suffering from a more serious illness. Thus, seeking immediate medical attention for your child is a must.

As a precautionary measure especially for newborn infants, parents should make sure that the proper vaccinations for immunization, scheduled by your family doctor should be given to your children. These vaccines have effectively controlled some of the more known childhood diseases like smallpox, hence vaccination is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your children’s health.

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