Condition Guide

Recognize signs and symptoms of common childhood conditions. Always consult your pediatrician with concerns.

Knowledge is Power

Understanding what to look for can help you know when your child needs care. This guide is here to help you recognize important signs and symptoms. Remember, you know your child best - if something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and reach out to your pediatrician.

Dr. Mike's Home Care Guide

Caring for Your Sick Child at Home

Cold vs. Flu Home Treatment

  • • Rest is essential - let your child's body heal
  • • Keep them comfortable with soft pillows and favorite blankets
  • • Use a cool-mist humidifier to ease breathing
  • • Elevate the head of the bed slightly to help drainage

Hydration is Key

  • • Offer fluids frequently - water, diluted juice, clear broth
  • • Pedialyte or electrolyte solutions for dehydration (especially with vomiting/diarrhea)
  • • Popsicles and ice chips count as fluids
  • • Watch for signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, no tears)

Gentle Foods for Upset Stomach

  • • BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast
  • • Plain crackers, oatmeal, boiled potatoes
  • • Avoid fatty, spicy, or heavy foods
  • • Small, frequent meals are easier to tolerate

Fever Management

  • • Lukewarm baths (not cold!) can help reduce fever - 10-15 minutes
  • • Light, breathable clothing - don't bundle up
  • • Cool compress on forehead
  • • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by pediatrician
  • • Never use aspirin in children (risk of Reye's syndrome)

Comfort & Soothing

  • • Extra cuddles and reassurance
  • • Read favorite books or watch calm shows together
  • • Saline nose drops/spray for stuffy nose
  • • Warm liquids like herbal tea or warm water with honey (over age 1)
  • • Create a quiet, dimly lit recovery space

When to Call Your Pediatrician:

  • • Fever over 100.4°F in infants under 3 months
  • • Fever over 104°F or lasting more than 3 days
  • • Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or rapid breathing
  • • Signs of dehydration (no urine for 8+ hours, very dry mouth)
  • • Severe pain or unusual lethargy
  • • Your gut tells you something isn't right

Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're concerned about your child's health, contact your pediatrician or seek medical care.

Ear, Nose & Throat

Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Ear pain or tugging at ears
  • Fever
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Fluid drainage from ear
  • Irritability
  • Trouble hearing

Important to Know:

  • Often develops after a cold or respiratory infection
  • Bottle-fed infants who sleep with a bottle are at higher risk
  • More common in children under 3 years old

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Ear InfectionsMayo Clinic

Strep Throat

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Severe sore throat
  • Painful swallowing
  • Fever over 101°F
  • Red/swollen tonsils with white patches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • No cough

Important to Know:

  • Some children may be allergic to strep and develop hives when infected

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Strep ThroatMayo Clinic

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Red or pink eye
  • Discharge (yellow/green)
  • Crusty eyelashes after sleep
  • Itching or burning
  • Increased tearing

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Pink EyeAAP - Conjunctivitis

Respiratory Conditions

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Runny nose
  • Decreased appetite
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Fast or difficult breathing
  • Fever

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - RSVMayo Clinic

Bronchiolitis

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Wheezing
  • Rapid breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nasal flaring
  • Chest retractions
  • Cough
  • Fever

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - BronchiolitisAAP - Bronchiolitis

Asthma

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing (especially at night)
  • Rapid breathing

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - AsthmaMayo Clinic

Bronchitis

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Persistent cough with mucus
  • Chest discomfort
  • Fatigue
  • Low-grade fever
  • Shortness of breath

Trusted Medical Sources:

Mayo Clinic - BronchitisNIH - Bronchitis

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Severe coughing fits
  • Whooping sound when breathing in
  • Vomiting after coughing
  • Exhaustion after coughing
  • Blue or red face during coughing

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Whooping CoughMayo Clinic

Viral Infections

COVID-19

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Loss of taste/smell
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - COVID-19 in ChildrenAAP - COVID-19

Measles

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • High fever
  • Cough, runny nose, red eyes
  • Koplik spots (white spots in mouth)
  • Red, blotchy rash starting on face
  • Rash spreads downward

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - MeaslesMayo Clinic

Chicken Pox (Varicella)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Itchy, blister-like rash
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash progresses from spots to blisters to scabs

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - ChickenpoxMayo Clinic

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Painful mouth sores
  • Rash on hands and feet
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Hand, Foot & MouthMayo Clinic

Bacterial Infections

Scarlet Fever

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Red rash with sandpaper texture
  • Bright red tongue (strawberry tongue)
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Flushed face
  • Peeling skin

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Scarlet FeverMayo Clinic

Impetigo

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Red sores that burst and ooze
  • Honey-colored crusts
  • Itchy rash
  • Sores around nose and mouth
  • Easily spread to other areas

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - ImpetigoMayo Clinic

Lyme Disease

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Bull's-eye rash
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Lyme DiseaseMayo Clinic

Meningitis

EMERGENCY - Seek immediate medical care

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Sudden high fever
  • Severe headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion
  • Skin rash (in some cases)

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - MeningitisMayo Clinic

Skin Conditions

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Red to brownish-gray patches
  • Small, raised bumps
  • Thickened, cracked skin
  • Raw, sensitive skin from scratching

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - EczemaMayo Clinic

Psoriasis

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Red patches with silvery scales
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Itching or burning
  • Thickened nails
  • Stiff and swollen joints

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - PsoriasisMayo Clinic

Ringworm

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Circular, red, itchy rash
  • Raised edges
  • Clearer center
  • Scaly or crusted skin
  • Multiple rings may overlap

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - RingwormMayo Clinic

Parasites & Bites

Head Lice

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Intense itching on scalp
  • Tickling feeling
  • Visible nits (eggs) on hair shafts
  • Small bugs on scalp
  • Sores from scratching

Treatment & Home Care:

  • Use OTC or prescription lice treatment shampoo as directed
  • Remove nits with fine-toothed nit comb
  • Check and treat all family members
  • Wash bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (130°F)
  • Vacuum floors, furniture, and car seats
  • Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes
  • Place non-washable items in sealed plastic bags for 2 weeks
  • Check daily and repeat treatment in 7-10 days if needed

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Head LiceAAP - Head Lice

Black Widow Spider Bite

Seek immediate medical care

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Immediate sharp pain
  • Two fang marks
  • Muscle cramps and spasms
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sweating
  • Nausea

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Spider BitesMayo Clinic

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

Seek medical care

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Initially painless
  • Red, swollen area
  • Blister formation
  • Blue-purple discoloration
  • Growing lesion
  • Fever, chills, nausea

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Spider BitesMayo Clinic

Dietary Considerations During Illness

Foods to Limit When Your Child Is Sick

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Active infection
  • Excessive mucous production
  • Respiratory congestion
  • Cold or flu symptoms

Important to Know:

  • Limit sugar during infections - sugar can suppress immune function and slow recovery
  • Reduce or avoid dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) when there is excessive mucous production - dairy can thicken mucus
  • Focus on hydration with water, clear broths, and electrolyte solutions
  • Once symptoms improve, gradually reintroduce normal diet

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - Nutrition During IllnessMayo Clinic - Childhood Nutrition

Symptoms: What to Look For

Runny Nose: Allergies vs. Infection

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Clear or white mucus (allergies)
  • Yellow or green mucus (possible infection)
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Facial pain or pressure

Important to Know:

  • Clear or white mucus is usually allergies - often with sneezing, itchy eyes, no fever, lasting weeks during allergy season
  • Yellow or green mucus may indicate bacterial infection - especially with fever, facial pain, or lasting more than 10 days
  • Contact pediatrician if symptoms worsen, last over 10 days, or accompanied by high fever (over 102°F)

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - Sinus InfectionsCDC - Sinus Infection

Cough: Dry vs. Wet

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Dry, non-productive cough
  • Wet cough with mucus
  • Chest congestion
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid breathing

Important to Know:

  • Dry cough (non-productive) - often caused by allergies, asthma, or early viral infections
  • Wet cough (productive) - brings up mucus/phlegm with chest congestion
  • Watch for wheezing, difficulty breathing, or cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • Monitor for fever, rapid breathing, or colored mucus - may need medical evaluation if persistent

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - Coughs and ColdsCDC - Common Cold

Other Important Conditions

Teething

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Drooling
  • Irritability and fussiness
  • Swollen, tender gums
  • Biting or chewing on objects
  • Mild fever (under 101°F)
  • Diarrhea (commonly accompanies teething)
  • Sleep disruption

Trusted Medical Sources:

AAP - TeethingMayo Clinic

Dehydration

Seek medical care if severe

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • No tears when crying
  • Sunken eyes or soft spot
  • Decreased urination
  • Lethargy
  • Dizziness
  • Skin turgor test: Pinch skin on back of hand - slow rebound (>2 seconds) indicates dehydration

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - DehydrationMayo Clinic

Type 1 Diabetes

Seek medical evaluation

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Fruity-smelling breath

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Type 1 DiabetesMayo Clinic

Autism Spectrum Disorder - Early Signs

Discuss with pediatrician if concerned

Hallmark Signs & Symptoms:

  • Limited eye contact
  • Not responding to name by 12 months
  • Delayed speech
  • Repetitive behaviors
  • Difficulty with social interaction
  • Sensory sensitivities

Trusted Medical Sources:

CDC - Autism SignsAAP - Autism

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