Pediatrician Ari Brown took a break from seeing kids with the flu, cold viruses and Strep throat to answer your questions during yesterday’s health Web chat on family winter illnesses. You can catch her on the Dr. Oz show on Thursday, discussing autism.
Here are a few highlights from yesterday's chat:
Q: How can parents tell whether their child has strep throat or just a cold? are there telltale signs?Dr. Brown: Strep throat, caused by a bacteria, usually has isolated symptoms of sore throat with a fever. some children will also complain of headache or stomachache. Occasionally there will be a red, raised, pinpoint, rough (like sandpaper) rash too. but the key difference between Strep and just a cold virus is that there usually is NO runny nose or cough with it. Strep does need to be treated with antibiotics. while the throat infection may clear on its own, Strep bacteria (officially called Group a Strep) that isn't treated can damage other body parts–like the kidneys or heart…which is why it is so important to treat it with the entire course of antibiotics. Colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won't help at all to change the course of the illness.
Q: I keep hearing Vaporub works if you put it on your feet. (But then I've also heard that sleeping with wet socks helps with insomnia.) Really??
Dr. Brown: Funny! yes, many, many of my patients parents swear by putting the Vaporub on the feet. The only thing I can figure is that placing the Vaporub right near the nose can be a bit overwhelming and perhaps more bothersome than useful for a person with a sensitive sniffer! I cannot comment on the wet socks and insomnia. I think I would have insomnia with wet feet, but that is just me!
Q: Is it OK to alternate Tylenol and Motrin for fever?Dr. Brown: Many parents worry about fevers. Fever is the body's way of fighting infection, so the fever itself is not dangerous. (What's important is to figure out what is causing the fever). that said, there is no need to alternate fever reducing medications unless your child is prone to having febrile seizures. using the medication as directed (Ibuprofen dosed every six hrs or Acetaminophen dosed every four hours) should be enough to keep your child comfortable and bring the fever down by a couple of degrees.