Winter Break Fever

We all remember counting down the days of school until winter break as a child. With a week or more off of school and the added excitement of the holidays there is a chance that the change in a child’s routine could compromise their health. If your child comes down with a fever during their winter vacation there are a few things that you can remember when you are caring for them.

The higher the temperature does not mean the more serious the illness in most cases. Some illnesses do not cause a fever at all.  It is important to take the age of the child into consideration when understanding the severity of a fever.  Call your pediatrician or seek medical attention for children 3 months of age and younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4 and above.  As infants and children get a little older you can take their behavior and activity level into account when understanding the severity of their fever. 

While they can be scary, fevers are normal reactions for children and the body’s internal mechanism for fighting infection. Children, especially younger kids, are likely to get fevers as their bodies are still learning to control and adapt themselves. Some fevers are even caused from overheating while playing and exercising.

There are a number of ways to reduce a mild fever in children at home.  Children 6 months and older can use a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, always consult your pediatrician with specific dosing questions or instruction. Baths are also a great way to lower a child’s body temperature but can be counterintuitive.  You may think a cold bath will be just the thing to calm them down but that is the opposite of how you should respond. Surprisingly, a simple warm bath will help to bring their temperature down and is often one of the best remedies for relieving a fever.  Remember to offer plenty water and liquids to avoid dehydration and always encourage as much rest as possible.

Winter break is one of the most blissful times of the year for a child. If they come down with a fever keep these things in the back of your mind. For more detailed information from one of our doctors watch the following video about fevers in children.

Top Dangers Threatening To Take the Happy out of your Holidays

Nothing makes you more of a Grinch during the holidays than a trip to the Emergency Room when you should be home enjoying good food, family and friends. Unfortunately, accidents are very common during the holiday season, for a variety of reasons. Here are the top concerns you should steer clear of if you don’t want to have a Ba Humbug attitude about the holidays this year.

Falls

About 5,800 individuals are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms for injuries sustained from falls involving holiday decorations.  This can include putting lights up on the house or reaching to far on the ladder to get the star on the top of your tree.

In addition, 4,000 people a year are treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with extension cords.  Half of these injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains as a result of people tripping over the cords.

Carbon Monoxide poisonings

Carbon Monoxide claims an average of 430 lives in the United States per year. These are preventable deaths. Make sure you install at least one smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home and near bedrooms.

Fires

About 30% of all home fires and 38% of home fire deaths occur during the months of December, January, and February.  The United States Fire Administration (USFA) says these fires happen for a variety of reasons cooking, heating, and open flames, all which increase during the holidays. Watch all fires and do not cook or handle an open flame if you have been drinking in excess.

Decorations

With all their shine and glitter holiday decorations are especially tempting to infants, who can quickly choke on items like tinsel, small ornaments, tiny pine cones and pieces from nativity scenes. Be sure to keep all such hazards well out of the reach of children; this includes popular holiday food items like nuts and hard candies, too.

Mistletoe
Poinsettias are often regarded as the most poisonous holiday plant, but contrary to popular belief these plants are actually not toxic to people. Mistletoe, on the other hand, is poisonous. Eating any part of the mistletoe plant, but particularly the berries and leaves, can lead to gastrointestinal upset, while some varieties contain toxins that can lead to blurred vision, blood pressure changes and even death. 

  

Toxic Candles, Sprays and Lights

Do you ever stop to consider what is in the smoke that burns from your candles? They can release hundreds of chemicals, including cancer-causing benzene, into your home's air every time you burn them. This is particularly true of scented candles, as the fragrance oils often contain phthalates, which have been linked to numerous hormonal disruptions, breast cancer, early or delayed puberty and more. Spray on snow is also hazardous as it contains acetone and methylene chloride (a probable carcinogen).

According to a U.S. Environmental group’s study four out of five holiday lights tested contain lead, 28 percent of which contained lead at such high levels they would be illegal to sell in Europe. 

Give yourself a gift this holiday season. Beware of the hazards that threaten to rob you of the joy and relaxation you deserve. An ounce of prevention is worth a lot more than what Santa might bring you.