$Unique_ID{PAR00001}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Introduction}
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$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Introduction Introductions sick sickness illness illnesses injury
injuries child health vaccination vaccinations medicine medicines medication
medications disease diseases conditions}
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Chart of Symptoms*0000101.tab}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Introduction


     Raising a healthy, happy child is always a challenge, and every parent
knows that panicky feeling that comes with the knowledge--or even the
suspicion--that a child is sick.  Part of the problem is that it can be very
difficult to assess the seriousness of a childhood illness.  Does a
stomachache indicate only that the child overate at a birthday party or is
apprehensive about a school test, or does it mean something more serious?  How
bad does a cold have to be before you need to keep the child home from school?
Should you treat a cut knee yourself or let a doctor take a look at it?
What's the difference between a sprain and a fracture, and what should you do
for each?  The questions are endless, and no parent avoids all of them.
     It's even harder for the first-time parent with a brand-new baby who
suddenly breaks out in an unexplained rash or feels feverish.  But even
parents who have survived those first confusing months find that the childhood
years hold all sorts of unexpected challenges.  When a child gets hit on the
head with a ball on the playground, could he have a concussion?  When the
child teases the cat until it scratches her badly, should the scratch be seen
by the doctor?  How do you treat a minor burn?  What does a fever really mean?
When should you not give a child aspirin?  What happens if the child is
allergic to bee stings?  What constitutes an emergency?
     This book works on the principle that an informed parent who has done his
or her homework ahead of time is in the best possible position to deal with
both the major and the minor crises of childhood.  This book is a
comprehensive guide to the problems that a parent is most likely to encounter,
along with practical advice on recognizing, assessing, and dealing with each
one.  You will learn how to spot the signs that may mean your child is sick,
and how to determine whether the child is tired because he or she has been
playing hard or because the child is coming down with the virus that's
currently going around the neighborhood.  You will learn how to judge when the
child needs a doctor's care and what information to give the doctor's office
when you call.  You will also learn how best to take care of your child when
home treatment is appropriate and how to follow your doctor's instructions.
     The opening chapters of this book provide basic information that every
parent needs to know.  There is sensible advice on how to choose a doctor for
your child, what to expect from the doctor, and how to make sure that you and
the doctor work well together to take good care of your child's health.
You'll find out why vaccinations are vital; why routine checkups are so
important, and what the doctor looks for in the course of an examination; what
you need to have in your medicine chest at home; what kinds of medications the
doctor may order, and why it's important to understand what dosage directions,
like "four times a day," really mean; and what medical tests involve and why
the doctor needs them.  There's also a reassuring section for parents on what
to expect of a newborn and how to tell if the baby is developing normally.
     The opening chapters are followed by articles describing specific
conditions and diseases that parents may have to cope with before a child
grows up and becomes responsible for his or her own health care.  The subjects
covered range from the sort of everyday problems that are an inevitable part
of childhood--colds, sore throats, stomachaches, cuts, and scrapes--to
potentially life-threatening diseases that, fortunately, affect far fewer
children.  Whether the condition is major or minor, you'll be better able to
help your child if you understand what is involved and what you should do.
     Not all the articles discuss diseases as such.  Also covered are such
matters as dyslexia and stuttering, which can cause the child and parent just
as much pain and concern as an illness that is caused by an identifiable germ.
You'll also get good information on unusual conditions you may have heard
about but never really understood, such as Reye's syndrome, anorexia nervosa,
and toxic shock syndrome.  Most important, the information in this book is
presented in clear, nontechnical language.
     All in all, Your Child:  A Medical Guide is a thorough, up-to-date, and
understandable book that can be a parent's best friend in many of the medical
situations that occur as any child is growing up.  Use it to help you play an
informed, competent role in caring for your child's most precious asset--good
health.