Sleep
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Cold or Flu
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Many children, like their parents and guardians, are very tired. School age children need regular routines and a bed time that allows them to get the sleep they need. Here is a chart, from the National Sleep Foundation, that will assist you in determining the right amount of sleep for all members of your family. Please contact your pediatrician if your child has difficulty getting the sleep they need.
How Much Sleep Do We Need? INFANTS (0–2 months) 12–18 hours (3–11 months) 14–15 hours TODDLERS (1–3 years) 12–14 hours PRESCHOOLERS (3–5 years) 11–13 hours SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN (5–10 years) 10–11 hours TEENS (10–17) 8.5–9.25 hours ADULTS 7–9 hours (Taken from the National Sleep Foundation Web site.) For further information—and a more comprehensive listing of recommended hours of sleep for different age groups—please see the National Sleep Foundation Web site at : http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site |
WITH A COLD:
Symptoms are usually less severe than flu symptoms. Symptoms develop gradually over a few weeks. You rarely have a fever. You feel sick mostly in your head and nose. Body aches, headaches and pain are usually mild if you have them. You may or may not feel tired and weak. There is no vaccine to protect you. There are no prescription medicines to treat colds. Remember that with both colds and flu: Caused by a virus. Affects the body’s breathing system (nose, throat, windpipe and lungs). Usually goes away on its own. You should contact your doctor if symptoms change or get worse. |
WITH THE FLU:
Symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms. Symptoms come on quickly and severely. You almost always have a fever. Your entire body feels sick. Body aches, headaches and pain are common and can be severe. Tiredness and weakness are common. You can get a vaccine. There are prescription medicines to treat the flu. Link to the CDC Flu Information Index www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
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