Health Tips for February 11

Health Tip: Giving Pain Medication to Your Child

Giving your child medications, even over-the-counter medicines, should always be carefully monitored by your doctor.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions before you give any pain medication to your child:

* If a person younger than age 18 has the flu or chickenpox, never give the person aspirin, which could lead to a rare but deadly condition called Reye's Syndrome.
* Acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) is a generally safe painkiller for young children.
* Be careful about giving ibuprofen to children who are allergic to aspirin, as they may also be allergic to ibuprofen.
* Pain relievers may be dangerous for children with asthma, so don't administer them without a doctor's consent.
* Be careful not to give your child too much of the same medication. Sometimes the same active ingredient can be found in more than one medication.

Health Tip: Understanding Laryngitis

Laryngitis occurs when the larynx -- which houses the vocal cords -- becomes inflamed. The results are hoarseness or loss of voice.

Here is additional information about laryngitis, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Most cases of laryngitis are caused by a virus, which cannot be treated with an antibiotic.
* In rarer cases, laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection.
* Other causes may include allergies or an injury to the larynx.
* In addition to loss of voice, other symptoms of laryngitis may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, or swollen glands in the neck.
* To help vocal cords heal, try resting your voice.
* Use a humidifier to soothe a scratchy sore throat.