FYI: Pinworms

For all you parents out who, like me, had no experience with parasites. I present to you the infamous PINWORM:This is probably the most common human parasite, especially among small children. They are tiny little worms that live in the digestive tract.

About a month or two after infection, they come to maturity and you may start to see symptoms. This basically consists of intense itching of the anus, particularly at bedtime. Irritation can develop into a bacterial infection. It starts when the fully grown female worms (pictured above) crawl out at night and lay eggs on the skin. The eggs are then spread from the hands, clothing, bedding, etc. of infected persons. They can even become airborn. The eggs can survive up to about 2 weeks outside a host. After ingesting the eggs, the child may become reinfected, or infect others (particularly those they come in close contact with at home or at school).

Diagnosis is made by seeing a pinworm, or eggs collected on scotch tape (viewed under a microscope). Although thoroughly disgusting, they are not considered a serious infection since they do not cause any other problems besides itching. The itching can keep your child up at night. Fortunately, they are easy to treat. One pill will kill the worms (some doctors will treat twice, a second dose 2 weeks after the first).

Then you have to wash everything regularly to get rid of the eggs:
- daily laundering clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water
- wash toilet seats twice a day
- at treatment, thoroughly clean rugs, floors, furniture
- shower child first thing each morning
- keep child's fingernails short and clean
- do not share towels, sheets, etc.
- enforce rigorous hygiene!


You can learn more about pinworms here.

Serving Sizes for a One-Year-Old

In parentheses after each food group, you will see the recommended daily allowance. Sample portions for each group are given below.

Dairy (4-6)
½ c. milk
½ c. yogurt
¾ oz. (slice) cheese
1 c. cottage cheese

Meat/Lentils (2)
2-4 tsp. meat
1 egg
2 T peanut butter
2-4 T beans

Breads/Grains (6+)
½ slice bread
¼ c. rice/pasta/oatmeal
1/4 c. dry cereal
3 saltines
½ graham cracker

Fruits (2+)
1-2 T fruits
¼ c. fruit juice
¼ piece fruit

Vegetable (3+)
1-2 T vegetables
¼ c. vegetable juice

FLU?? - TO DO

When a flu hits, the most important things to do are keep temperature in check, and re-hydrate.

Lower Temperature:

• Unwrap/undress,


• cool with damp washcloths or lukewarm bath


• alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 2 hours as needed

When your child first gets sick, do not try to give them food or drink right away, wait until they want something. OR if your child is visibly dehydrated (i.e. no wet diapers in 12 hours, no tears, sunken eyes)

Then start with re-hydrating!

To Re-Hydrate:

• start with 1/4 tsp. water or Pedialyte every 10-15 minutes*


• if the child vomits, start over again


• when the child tolerates this for one hour, increase to 1/2 tsp. every 10-15 min.


• when the child tolerates this for one hour, increase to 1 tsp. every 10-15 min.


• gradually increase with small amounts of liquid and foods from BRAT diet when desired

*If the child is not tolerating 1/4 tsp. liquid, try starting with 1/8 tsp.

When to call the Dr:

• if you are unable to control the fever with Tylenol and Ibuprofen


• if Fever lasts longer than 48 hours


• if your child is dehydrated and will not tolerate 1/8 tsp. liquid after 2 hours of trying every 10-15 min.

Make your own Train

supplies:

2 or more empty boxes from cereal, crackers, etc.
tape
yarn or string
scissors

Tape tops and bottoms of boxes shut.
Lay flat on the table and cut out a big hole in the top. Any size and shape you want the opening is fine. I usually do a nice big square so there is plenty of access to get toys in and out.

Poke holes in the edges of each box. You may want to reinforce around the hole with tape.

Then use lengths of yarn or string to attach the 'boxcars' of your train. I like to keep the boxes pretty close together and use a longer string with a looped handle or a handle made out of box fragments.

Decorate it with stickers, etc. and give your favorite teddy, books, cars, or shoes a ride!