Flu in Children (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
When to Seek Medical Care
The most difficult question for parents and caregivers is when to call the doctor with concern about flu symptoms. Many people fear the child may have pneumonia. Here are some guidelines about when to call the doctor:
For children under 5 years of age and especially if under 2 years of age, and for children of any age who have chronic illnesses such as asthma, speak to the doctor early to decide if the child needs to be examined.
For those 5 years of age and older, call if you are worried or if:
- fever continues after three days,
- nasal discharge lasts more than 10 days,
- nasal discharge becomes thick and yellow,
- discharge is coming from the eyes.
When to go to the hospital
- The child has difficulty breathing or fast breathing and does not improve even after nasal suctioning and cleaning.
- The child appears sicker than any previous episode of illness. The child may not be responding normally. For example, the child does not cry when expected or make good eye contact with the mother or the child is listless or lethargic.
- The child is not drinking fluids well or is showing signs of dehydration. Common signs of dehydration include absence of tears with crying, decrease in amount of urine (dry diapers), dry mucous membranes (lips, tongue, eyes), and doughlike skin that fails to snap back flat when pinched.
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- A fever that does not get better with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). However, the number-one reason that the temperature fails to come down after these medications is an inadequate dose. A proper dose is based on the child's weight, not age. Be guided by your doctor's instructions or the package label.
- A seizure occurs
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Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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