- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Bacterial vs. Viral Infections
What's the Difference Between Bacterial and Viral Infections in Babies?
By Shannon McKelden
As a former nurse, Chaplin feels it is important for parents to be educated. "Always check on what is told to you [by physicians]," she says. "In this age of the Internet, it's quick and easy to check on medications and diagnosis, and find out the latest in treatment, what does and does not work. It's your body, or your child's body, that has to live with the long-term consequences of what is given. So ask!"
Preventing infections, whether bacterial or viral, still comes down to good old-fashioned hygiene, according to Dr. Dalton. Hand washing is No. 1 on the list of good preventive habits: before and after changing diapers, after hands are visibly soiled, after handling dirty tissues, wiping runny noses and when returning home from work or crowded public areas. Parents should also encourage any childcare provider to use these measures to prevent transfer of infections to the infant.
"When siblings have infections, parents should encourage normal contact with the sibling," Dr. Dalton says. "Except [they] can discourage kissing the infant on the face and should discourage sharing of pacifiers or sippy cups."
Lastly, Dr. Dalton recommends that infants receive timely immunizations as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent acquiring infections.
Above all, parents need to remember that the differences between bacterial and viral infections can be subtle and should always be referred to a trusted health professional for examination and determination of the type and proper treatment.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
