Children Medications: Guide

to treat minor ailments

By MediHelp App
 Introduction

The following are the guidelines for treating some

common conditions in children under 5 years old.
Please note that the following information is a
general guideline and it is crucial to consult with a
pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis and
treatment plan, as individual cases may vary.
 Diarrhea

Non-pharmacological Pharmacological Patient Counseling

Treatment Treatment
- Ensure the child stays - Monitor the child's
Zinc supplementation:
hydrated with Oral hydration status (look for
- Children 6 months to 5
Rehydration Salts (ORS) signs of dehydration).
years: 20 mg per day for 10-
solution. - Teach the importance of
14 days.
handwashing to prevent
- Continue feeding the child infection.
age-appropriate food. - Advise to seek medical
attention if the child has
- Practice good hygiene to blood in the stool,
prevent the spread of persistent vomiting, or signs
infection. of dehydration.
 Constipation
Pharmacological Non-pharmacological
Patient Counseling
Treatment Treatment
- Increase dietary fiber
- Polyethylene glycol 3350 - Encourage a diet rich in
intake (fruits, vegetables,
without electrolytes: fruits and vegetables.
whole grains).
- Children 2 to 5 years:
0.5-1.5 g/kg/day (max 17 - Encourage physical - Encourage the child to
g/day) in divided doses. activity. drink plenty of fluids.

- Lactulose: - Recommend to seek

- Children 1 to 5 years: 1-2 medical advice if
ml/kg/day in divided doses. symptoms persist.

Pharmacological
Treatment
- Honey (for children over 1
year old):
- Children 1 to 5 years:
Half a teaspoon to one
teaspoon at bedtime.
- Cough and cold
medications are not
recommended for children
under 4 years old due to the
risk of serious side effects.
Coughing
Non-pharmacological
Patient Counseling
Treatment
- Use a cool-mist
humidifier to ease - Advise against the use of
breathing. over-the-counter cough
- For infants, nasal and cold medications in
suctioning to clear nasal children under 4 years old.
passages.
- Encourage rest and
hydration.
 Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Non-pharmacological
Patient counseling Pharmacological TTT
TTT
- Complete the full course of
- Clean the eye from - Antibiotic eye drops or
antibiotics even if symptoms
discharge with warm water improve. ointment, such as
and clean cotton or gauze. Erythromycin ophthalmic
- Keep the child home from ointment or Polymyxin B-
- Avoid touching or school or daycare until no Trimethoprim eye drops.
rubbing the eyes. longer contagious.
Dosing is typically 1 drop or
- Wash hands frequently a small amount of ointment
to prevent the spread of in the affected eye(s) 4 times
infection. a day for 7-10 day.
 Fever
Non-pharmacological
Patient counseling Pharmacological TTT
TTT
- Ensure the child is well-
Acetaminophen or
- Monitor the child's hydrated.
Ibuprofen can be used to
temperature and watch for - Dress the child in light
reduce fever. clothing.
signs of serious illness.
Dosing is based on the - Keep the room at a
child's weight. comfortable temperature.
- Seek medical attention if
Acetaminophen: 10-15
the fever is very high or
mg/kg/dose PO q6-8hr.
persistent.

Ibuprofen:≥ 6 months: 5-
10 mg/kg/dose PO q6-8hr;

Pharmacological TTT
If strep throat is confirmed
by a doctor, an antibiotic
such as Amoxicillin is
prescribed. The dose is
based on the child's weight
and typically given for 10
days. 24-48 hours of antibiotic
>3 months and <40 kg: 45
mg/kg/day PO divided
q12hr or
Sore Throat
Non-pharmacological
Patient Counseling
TTT
- Ensure the child drinks
- Encourage rest and plenty of fluids.
hydration.
- Provide a humidifier in
- Follow up if symptoms the room to keep the air
do not improve after moist.
treatment.
 Rash
Non-pharmacological
Patient counseling Pharmacological TTT
TTT
- Keep the affected area
The treatment depends on
clean and dry.
- Avoid scratching the the cause of the rash. For
rash. example, hydrocortisone
- Use mild soap and
cream may be used for
lukewarm water for
- Observe for signs of certain rashes, but dosing
bathing.
infection or worsening and whether it's
condition. appropriate depends on the
diagnosis.
 Colic
Non-pharmacological
Pharmacological TTT Patient Counseling
TTT

- Rocking the child gently.

No specific medication is Keep a diary to identify
recommended for colic. potential triggers.
- Providing a quiet and
soothing environment.
Simethicone drops may be
used to help with gas, but
- Trying different feeding
effectiveness is uncertain.
positions.
 Oral Thrush
Non-pharmacological
Patient counseling Pharmacological TTT
TTT

Antifungal medication - Clean all feeding equipment

- Finish the entire course and pacifiers regularly.
like Nystatin suspension.
of antifungal medication.
- Ensure good oral hygiene if
Typically, the dose is the child has teeth.
- Maintain good oral
hygiene to prevent
1 ml applied to each side
recurrence. of the mouth four times
per day for 7-10 days.
 Earache
Non-pharmacological
Patient counseling Pharmacological TTT
TTT

- Apply a warm compress If an ear infection is

- Follow the full course
to the affected ear. confirmed, an antibiotic
of antibiotics if
like Amoxicillin may be
prescribed.
- Keep the child upright to prescribed. The dose is
help drain the ear. based on the child's
- Seek medical attention
weight.
if symptoms persist or
worsen.
≥2 months and children:
80-90 mg/kg/day PO in
divided doses q12hr
 Thank You
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