Sickness and Health - Ear Infections

What causes ear infections? When a child has an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, then viruses or bacteria can be trapped behind the eardrum and swelling develops. Fluid is then trapped in the middle ear and the bacteria and viruses then multiply in this area, resulting in an infected eardrum.

Why do some children seem to get more ear infections than others? Research shows some habits that make ear infections more likely. Bottle feeding when the child is lying down on his back, use of pacifiers, and exposure to cigarette smoke can lead to ear infections.

Is there a vaccine available? Prevnar immunizes the child against S. pneumoniae bacteria, which cause 40 percent of ear infections in very young children. Preventing the flu by vaccination can also help.

Safety - Airway Obstruction Injuries:

What kind of sound is made by a child who is choking, strangling, or suffocating? No sound.

What is choking and how can I prevent it? Choking occurs when food or an object blocks the airway. Keep toys with small or broken parts and small toys, marbles, and balls away from young children. Avoid latex balloons. Look for small items that children can put in their mouths.

What is strangulation and how can I prevent it? Strangulation occurs when something wraps around the child's neck and compresses the airway. Watch for window blind and drapery cords, telephone cords, swinging ropes on playgrounds, drawstrings on clothing, necklaces, and cords on pull toys.

What is suffocation and how can I prevent it? Suffocation occurs because materials cover the child's nose and mouth, preventing airflow, or the child is trapped in an enclosed space without sufficient air. Dispose of all plastic bags. Freezers, refrigerators, and toy chests can trap children. Avoid fluffy pillows, feather beds, water beds, and beanbags with young children.

Nutrition - Choking Prevention and Foods:

Why do children often choke on food? Children do not chew the food long enough; they may not have enough back teeth to chew; they try to swallow too much at one time; they run or play actively while eating.

What are the most common "choking foods?" Foods that are round-shaped, slippery, dry, tough to chew, hard foods, and foods with bones or large seeds.

If hard foods like carrots can cause choking, how can I serve them? Grate, chop, or dice hard foods; remove seeds and bones from food; serve sticky foods like peanut butter spread very thinly on crisp crackers.

Medicine Chest - Latex Allergies:

What is latex? It is the milky sap from the commercial rubber tree.

What childcare items are made with latex? Latex gloves, bottle nipples, pacifiers, balls, dolls, paints, adhesive bandages, etc.

What is latex allergy? It is an allergic response to the proteins in natural rubber latex. It can cause reactions ranging from a mild rash or skin irritation, to severe rash, asthma, or breathing difficulties and anaphylaxis.

How can I avoid exposure to latex? Most exposure comes from use of latex gloves, so use non-latex (vinyl) gloves in your childcare program.