Health
and Fitness Editor's Recommended Book Bitter Pills started as a
magazine
story, inspired by Stephen Fried's wife's frightening reaction to an
antibiotic.
After he won a National Magazine Award for that article, he expanded
his
investigation into this book. What he has uncovered is astounding,
starting
with the fact that, in the U.S. alone, between 45,000 and 200,000
people
die annually of reactions to legal drugs (2 to 9 percent of the 2.3
million
Americans who die each year) versus the 5,000 to 10,000 who die of
illegal
drug use. As Fried compulsively investigates what happened to his wife
and how reactions like hers were considered statistically insignificant
by drug companies and the FDA, he learns things most of us don't want
to
know about the mechanisms that cause pills to land on pharmacy shelves.
Chances are, after reading Bitter Pills, you'll be much more careful
about
accepting prescriptions for new medications.
When
overused, antibiotics increase the risk of drug resistant infection.
Don't
pressure your pediatrician to prescribe an antibiotic.
Wherever
possible, take a culture. Most respiratory illnesses aren't due to
bacteria
but to viruses, which aren't affected by antibiotics. Today, bacteria
can
be detected from throat swabs within five minutes in many instances.
Where
a test takes overnight, wait for the results before starting
antibiotics.
Once
antibiotics are begun, continue them for the full length of treatment
even
if symptoms abate. A shorter course may allow the more resistant
bacteria
to repopulate.
Most
of the common communicable diseases that affect children are familiar
ailments
that pass easily from one person to another, such as CHICKEN POX,
MEASLES
and MUMPS. These ailments are usually harmless in children but can be
serious
in certain cases, for example, GERMAN MEASLES in pregnancy or chicken
pox
in an adult. Communicable diseases are diagnosed by characteristic
symptoms,
blood tests are not usually necessary. Today, there ere immunizations
to
avoid some of these illnesses like whooping cough, measles, mumps and
diphtheria.
Following
is a brief look at a few of the more common diseases:
MEASLES
- Signs and symptoms of measles include fever, coughing,
sneezing,
tiny white spots on the lining of the cheek and a rash. This infection
usually lasts from ten days to two weeks and treatment may include
isolation
and bed rest until the fever subsides. Acetaminophen and cough medicine
may also be given for the fever and cough.
MUMPS
- The signs of mumps are swollen, painful salivary glands, fever,
weakness
and fatigue. The symptoms usually appear two to three weeks after the
viral
infections begin, and may be quite uncomfortable. However, it is not
usually
a serious disease and symptoms should not last more than two weeks.
There
is no specific treatment for mumps, although your doctor may prescribe
bed rest until the fever disappears and isolation to prevent the spread
of the disease.
CHICKEN
POX - The signs of chicken pox include fever, weakness and red
itchy
rash. Chicken pox usually lasts for less than two weeks and is treated
by isolation, frequent cleaning of the skin and cool, wet compresses to
relieve itching. Occasionally antihistamines are used to treat itching
along with calamine lotion.
All
of the above diseases are quite common and not cause for serious
concern
however your child should see a doctor for any illness.
SIGNS
OF SICKNESS:
How
can you tell if your fussy baby is sick or just cranky? Many parents
will
agree that preschool children get sick with amazing frequency and
sometimes
its hard to tell exactly what's wrong. Your five year old may be able
to
tell you that she doesn't feel well but cannot articulate anything more
specific.
Here
are some signs that will help you determine whether or not your child
is
ill:
FEVER
A
fever is a rectal temperature of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit (F)
or
an oral temperature of more than 100 degrees (F). A fever is one of the
body's methods of fighting infection.
INCREASED
SLEEP
If
your child seems to be sleeping more than usual, this is sign of
illness.
It is another method the body uses to fight infection.
BREATHING
CHANGES
Noisy
breathing and coughing are common with upper respiratory infections.
DECREASED
APPETITE
Often
a sick child will not feel like eating as much. It is a normal response
and nothing to worry about.
Our
pages are created to provide medically accurate information that is
intended
to complement, not replace or substitute in any way the services of
your
physician. Any application of the recommendations set forth in the
following
pages is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. Before any
undergoing
medical treatment, you should consult with your doctor, who can best
assess
your individual needs, symptoms and treatment.
