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If you have kids, sooner or later you will have sick kids. Children of all ages, from newborn to teenager, get sick, and when they do, mom and dad need to do all they can to help them heal. Throughout history parents have dealt with sick children, and many times, without the help of a doctor. Today, we have access to the best health care and health information in the world. In bygone days, when a child was sick, the parents would rely on the advice of relatives, friends, and neighbors. Being able to speak to someone who has experience does a lot to calm down what may be a fearful situation. With the advent of the Internet we have access to some of the best medical information available. Our children are in a better position today to get though illnesses then they were in the past. Here are just a few tips to consider the next time your child becomes ill.

1. Check the symptoms: Some children do not act sick but they may act different. No one knows your child better than you. When your child is acting out of the normal, you will want to check a few things. Ask the child if they are feeling well. Babies will let you know they are not well by crying. Check for any fever. It is a good idea to have a blood pressure monitor available. Increased blood pressure can indicate pain. See if your child complains of pain anywhere in their body. Are they eating well? Are they drinking? Obviously vomiting and diarrhea are a problem.

2. Find out what the symptoms mean: You can check various web sites to compare your child's symptoms to their data base and get an idea of what could be wrong and what to do about it. WebMD, HealthCentral, MyOptumHealth.com, are just a few of the many sites available.

3. Use common sense: Treat the symptoms presented to you. Use Tylenol or Motrin to reduce fever. Make sure your child stays hydrated if diarrhea persists. Light bland diet if vomiting. Honey and lemon for a soar throat, antihistamine for nasal congestion, etc. You probably know the right thing to do. Make sure to use the proper dose for each medicine and read the warnings to prevent other problems.

4. Call the doctor: If you suspect something you are not comfortable treating at home, call the doctor for advice. Many times the doctor will confirm what you are already doing and you just need to continue. Other times, the doctor may want to see the child in the office and run some tests for things like strep throat. The doctor may order some blood work and urine analysis to rule some things

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