When the child is off-colour and loses interest in play, be extra careful. Occasionally the child may become peevish or obstinate: verify the body temperature immediately. Vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsion and incessant crying are definite signs of illness and the child must be put to bed. Pain in any part of the body may be an additional symptom complained of by older children.

Home nursing

The baby's cot should be placed in an airy part of the room. A mosquito net must be provided in areas where there are mosquitoes. Bed linen must be clean and changed frequently. All the utensils and crockery used for the sick child must be kept separate.

It would be preferable to have the same member of the family constantly taking care of the child. She must always wash her hands before and after handling the child. She must not handle food for other members of the family.

All urine and stools must be disposed off, after adding some suitable chemical disinfectant, especially in infectious cases like typhoid and diarrhoea.

Temperature control

Hold the thermometer either in the armpit or in the groin. Keep it for at least two minutes. The normal temperature ranges between 36.6°C (98° F) and 37.2°C (99° F). Should the temperature be over 37.8°C (100°F), put a moist towel on the child's forehead. Put an ice pack on the forehead if the temperature goes over 38.3°C (101°F)

Give a cold or iced water sponge if the temperature goes over 40°C (104°F). This is how it is done: put three towels in a basin full of cold or iced water, then wring out the towels. Put one on the chest and abdomen. And one each on the thighs. When the towels get warm, remoisten them and use them again. Do this for 15 to 30 minutes and then take the temperature again. allow the temperature to fall slowly. Too rapid a fall in the body temperature will make the child shiver and feel cold.

If the child is able to swallow give 1/2 to 1 tablet of aspirin. This will help lower the temperature. Powder the tablet and give it to the child, if he is unable to swallow the whole tablet.

Bath

The baby must be given a bath or a sponge daily. Cleanliness is very important. After a warm bath the child usually falls asleep. Avoid a very warm bath in hot weather or when the child has high body temperature. If the child is very ill, a sponge is to be preferred to a bath.

As far as possible, allow the baby to take what he likes. This is a good rule. It would be wise to remember that a child who is burning with fever needs more food than otherwise and if it is not provided, the fever will burn up body tissues and cause weight loss. However, should the baby refuse feeds, do not force him. Any forced administration of feeds will create emotional problems, and later the baby will refuse feeds just to gain emotional control.